Sarah saw Cloverfield tonight.
Surely not many people could really have believed thatThe Blair Witch Projectwas real.
But it was a massively successful film nonetheless, imitated and parodied endlessly for years.
And within the next couple of weeks, everyones going to find out whether the hype was justified.
Theres not a lot to work out inCloverfield; it just is.
But what it is, is brilliant.
The only available escape route, across the Brooklyn Bride, is quickly cut off.
Things get scary, and fast.
The characters are brilliantly observed; theyre not all likeable, exactly, but they all seem real.
They all act like people rational, reasonably intelligent people, at that.
Every decision they make, makes sense.
Maybe Im over-stressing this point, but it seems so rare that a film gets something this right.
And for be scary, you need that.
Its also useful that the characters act like real people when the film tries to make you feel something.
So Ill just say that there are several absolutely heartrending moments in this film.
and gets the reply Thats a terrible thing.
Everything just works; the conversations flow like youd imagine real conversations would, in the circumstances.
There is, admittedly, one moment where youll roll your eyes in disbelief.
Its just one ever so slightly faltering step in what is otherwise a note-perfect script.
(Actually, theres one more thing why is everyone in this movie so bloody gorgeous?
Its theLosteffect how come there just so happened to be a plane filled with people with movie star looks?
I guess well never know.)
(Unless, maybe, youve seenThe Host.)
Its not a recognisable monster of any particular existing pop in; its just something weird.
(And terrible.)
And maybe Matt Reeves.
And the entire cast.
Its hard to categoriseCloverfield, actually, but then, why bother?
Rating:
5 out of 5
