CLOVERFIELD

The new hot movie is "Cloverfield". Well, new and hot to a super hero, sci-fi, fantasy, monster movie fan like me. Don't get me wrong. I'm down with a chick flic now and then. I love me the Woody Allen. "The Remains of the Day" is one of my all time favorites. But deep in my heart? I'll take a light saber battle, zombies, and Hobbits fighting orcs any day of the week. The ABCs of me.

In case you don't know, "Cloverfield" is about a giant monster that attacks New York City. I tell this to friends and their eyes glaze over and roll up into their heads. "Sounds great, Mikey", they say with the sarcasm dripping off their lips. That's okay. I have other friends that get excited like me about such things. And off we went to see Manhattan get eaten.

Manhattan didn't really get eaten. It got pulverized. It got reshaped. It got whacked. And in a very realistic way.

The film is told from a personal point of view.... i.e. a video camera. It follows a small group of friends as they try to rescue one of their own while a giant monster attacks the city. Not with daring stunts or outrageous gadgets. They walk through the devastation with tears in their eyes and confusion on their faces. Covered in dust, they stand there unable to speak. They break down.
Yeah, it's a lot like 9/11. A LOT LIKE 9/11. Which is why I think I liked it as much as I did.

There is not much of a plot. The characters are yuppies. You don't see much of the monster.
But now that we as a country are schooled about what massive destruction in a major city really looks like.... you can't help but get caught up in the plight of these wayward souls. It's not about what the army is doing. It's not about where the creature came from or why it's there. It's not about the fate of the planet. It's personal. And it works as a film.

Lot's of people will pass on this one because it's about a monster that attacks NYC. They will miss a very exciting, scary movie that at it's heart is warm, tragic, and at times, touching.