I admit the movie was a crazy, thrilling ride. However, just because "Cloverfield" was filmed in first person perspective doesn't mean it is a good movie.

I just saw this on opening night, this film is so bad that I am only giving it 2 points, 1 point for actually been made into a film, 1 point for the special effects. During its short 82 minutes, there is probably only 40 minutes of footage that is viewable, the rest of the time is shaking, running, shaking, footage out of focus, shaking, screaming, footage too focused and more shaking, I know its the style, but I personally hate films like that, god forbid blair witch, it makes the movie experience feel cheap and unworthy. I wont recommend this movie, I wont recommend this DVD when it comes out or using this DVD as cup coaster, well maybe as a coaster.… Expand

the camera made me feel sick and there was no real story.

This is the worst film I have ever seen. It is the Blair Witch project all over again. Hand held video camera with a battery which has the longest life I have ever seen. Not to mention the fact it continues to work despite being dropped,bashedthrown about etc. No story to speak of. Do Americans really shout and scream at each other as they do in this film? All in all a poor film which I wish I hadn't wasted my time and money on.… Expand

This is one roller coaster ride. Although this does require a suspension of disbelief because this was on-camera monster attack on NYC, It made me believe it actually happened. This movie was scary, thrilling, emotional, and just plain freakin awesome! I didnt mind the ending whatsoever. Awesome movie.

This right here is a very under-rated movie. It was a very cool and successful expeiriment that I thought did exceedingly well. It not only kept my attention and stayed interesting throughout the whole thing, it began a new era of film. It brought the idea of making the movie look like it was home videoed to the attention of the film industry. I also love the producer(J.J. Abrams) and the director did well with this movie too(Matt Reeves). So after all of that about how good it is your probably asking yourself, "why did he give it a 7/10?" Well the movie isn't completely perfect. I thought for one it could have been a bit longer. It only being like one hour and 10 minutes was kinda a let down. Also, I know it was like home videoed but there was a little too much zooming in and out and shaking of the camera. It didn't have the best angles either. It also was hard to see I feel like. The only time you can watch it is if your in a dark area because in a lot of the parts the glare makes it hard to see the screen and whats going on. One more thing is the actors. They didn't do the best job of acting in this. I guess most of them were just begginning actoras and actresses but they could have done a little better. The only one that did a professional job was Lizzy Caplin(Marlena). She was pretty good in it but then again she has been in a couple of movies before this one. She's not the best acteress though for sure. There is many others better than her, no defense Lizzy. I guess T.J. Miller(Hud) had done a prett y good job too. He had also been in a few movies before too. So those are a few things that this movie lacks and if they make a remake... add these please. So this movie is a pretty good movie with a good plotline and amazing special effects. I highly reccommend you see it.… Expand

I have never, ever had a feeling of intense anger swell within me as the credits started rolling on a film I'd been eagerly awaiting...until Cloverfield. Despite the nausea-inducing camera work, the movie left nothing but a giant, unfulfilled void where I was expecting to finally see "that amazing monster flick" I'd so eagerly hoped it to be. The entire audience actually booed when the credits rolled, I can't believe it is getting such positive reviews! Do not waste your time, or more importantly, your money, on this horrid monster of a movie.… Expand

Horrible excuse for a movie. I don't know what the critics are thinking. It requires not only a massive suspension of disbelief, but also a suspension of reason and logic. Add to that the fact that you do NOT find out anything about the monsters origins, and I would not recommend seeing it even if they paid you $12.

the worst movie i've ever seen. the handheld camera movements literally mad me sick. i had to leave the theatre. besides that, the movie was weak on all levels. garbage.

A harsh lesson in bad kaiju. the monster has no motivation, unlike godzilla who only wanted to go to his precious radioactive tower. the humans were vapid and unrealistic. their physical injuries at odds with fight or flight instincts would never have allowed certain survival instincts. all this movie did for me was give me a bad headache, and i went into it so hopeful for amazing thrill ride. this was the ubermeh.… Expand

The camera perspective is from a handheld camera and its like watchin a 2 hour blare-witch project. Watching the 2 minute preveiw is probably more interesting than the movie. Don't waste ur m$n$y

Completely and utterly pointless. Lead in scenes too long and drawn out, and I was actually surprised to see as the credits rolled that there had even been a script. God help us if they make more of these movies. This film was so bad it made me hate every movie I've paid for in the last 5 years.

Let me put it this way...half the theater left either sick or really ticked off. There were at least 2 people that actually threw up in the theater while I was there. I sat near the back of the theater because of the potential motion sickness. I still got sick. The director should have at least used the steady shot on the camera. It was like they had to throw the "Im using a camcorder and I need you to know it" over and over again. Great story but horrible visuals aka camcorder view. It should have been used sparingly. This movie could have been made by anyone and probably been easier to watch than this version. I recommend this movie to know one. If you go sit in the back row and bring a brown paper bag. Cant wait till the book hits the shelves.… Expand

This movie tries so hard to be cool and gritty and different but fails on all but one of those goals. Gritty is about the only compliment it gets, if you can call grainy footage and cameras that shake epileptically "gritty". The introduction to characters drags, the action sequences are unsatisfying and the ending is a complete dud. And be warned: if watching the "Handycam-esque" style of Blair Witch Project made you feel a little queasy, Cloverfield will have you reaching for, and filling, the bucket. Blurgh!… Expand

Deadly dull, even at 84 minutes.

For the first time in my life I emailed all my friends to warn them about how bad this movie is and the critics are dead wrong. This is complete garbage and other review have really nailed down why. Something else I didn't like was if you are going to do a guerilla type movie the story should line should really try to pass this as "it really happened" type feel or else the audience will be confused and angered like I was. The movie ends "My name is Rob Anderson and if you are watching this, you know more about this than I do". No Rob, actually I don't...because no monster ever attacked NY and we haven't invented time travel so there is no way this video could have come from the future. All I know is I just dumped $15 on your crap piece of film. Thanks JJ Abrams… Expand

This movie was a waste of my time. It was way too bloody, violent and just plain stupid. The first 20 minutes were boring-just bring a pillow and blanket and sleep for the first 20 minutes. This movie was so bad people in walking out! Save your money and time and go get ice cream instead of seeing this movie.

This movie made my eyes want to bleed and gave me a headache. As a New Yorker the allusions to 9/11 were tacky. The monster had no story and the characters were idiots and I'm glad they all died.J.J Abrams and company hide a truly moronic story behind clever marketing. They get an A+ in marketing and an F for actual movie.

One of the worst movies of this decade. The first person was not cool, or original, but just annoying. Lame shots of the monster, poor dialog, and needless to say a horrible ending.

ive seen some bad films such as godzilla's 1998 remake , Jason x , death Bed the bed that eats people , and death stalker 2. but nothing is more terrable then this film . i had nothing bad to say about JJ abrhams till i seen this filth. god i dont even know where to start but i will try . lets start out with the camera that god awful camera . i know he was not trying to be original with that Blare witch project rip off style but oh my god it seems any time and i MEAN any time some thing some what intresting starts to happen the camera shakes all over the damn place so nothing is viewable . then the plot which is so simplisticaly stupid i mean this whole movie can be described in 1sentence and basically you will have seen the movie . giant monster attacks and guy goes and saves his girlfriend ... thats it. i mean the old Godzilla movies had more plot then this . i had more questions after seeing this crap then i went in with . you never find out what the monster is , where it came from , why its attacking , what thoose things coming off it are . why people are blowing up after getting bitten . i mean really thoose are the things i know the vast majority of people seeing this turd want to know! people who like tnhis movie try to lie to me and give me bull **** answers on thoos questions just because for some unknown reason they like this piss and wana defend it. listen ive seen this crap 2x it DOESNT ANSWER ANY OF THEM . YOU ARE ONLY GUESSING SO SHUT UP!!! god this movie is just pissing me off reviewing it . that should tell you how bad it is . i mean serously id rather wach the crappy 1998 godzilla film any day over this dribble . this film so gets my vote for worst movie of the decade .… Expand

Well executed, entertaining stuff, but did we REALLY need this to be set in New York? The whole film seems designed to cynically exploit the relatively fresh memories of Sept 11th. The film loses several points for feeling like being repeatedly whacked over the head with a copy of the 9/11 Commission Report...

The movie certainly has a good premise, but unanswered questions in the end and a camera that is way too shaky disrupt the experience.

From the creator of the recently-ended TV series LOST (who is now known as the director of later films STAR TREK and SUPER 8, as well), CLOVERFIELD is the thrilling point where THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, and GODZILLA all meet. The use of the similar "cinéma vérité" and "found footage" styles are prevalent to the film's plot, as it enhances the believability of the disaster which the story is centered on. At first, I didn't think it was going to be that great of a film, as it began with a light-hearted mood, but by twenty minutes into it, once the whole disaster started to take place, I was thrilled. Also, the ending was not that great, and it left me flummoxed by how complex it was, but think of the endings to other films made in "found footage" style--especially THE LAST EXORCISM--if you may: they were the same way. Overall, I thought this was a fantastic film. To create yet another monster was a brilliant idea, and for once well-tackled. But if there's one thing about CLOVERFIELD that really goes beyond expectations, it's the cinematography and how ingeniously every action is captured--even if it's on home video.… Expand

An in-your-face thriller that takes no prisoners and spares no sentiment. Its use of hand helds, dialogue to camera and even the general storyline may not be original but it is effective. There won't be many better thrillers this year.

It was a great ride and a terrifying reminding of that day in September.

I went into Cloverfield thinking it was going to be a movie, and I got a videotape of what happened. Realizing this, I accepted it for what it was and watched this interesting art piece. The entire movie I was sucked into so much, I forgot I was even in the theater. They did a perfect job making it as real as possible. Not just in the special effects(they were flawless, by the way), but in the way everyone reacted in the movie to everything that went on. It had a great, yet subtle story arc and explained exactly how it would have been explained if this happened and someone had a camcorder. It was a masterpiece of non-mainstream art.… Expand

Worth the money....ending suked.

There's one thing about Cloverfield that is undeniably genius, whether you love it or hate it, think it's terrifying or ridiculous, cringe in fear or simply laugh out load, the thing is you are not watching it - you're right in the middle of it, and I, for one, bought into it hook, line and sinker! A great movie as intense and foreboding as 28 Days Later and more of the "you are here" feeling than Blair Witch, Cloverfield is a terrific start 2008 in movies.… Expand

This movie was hysterical, intense, and even emotional. It's hard not to like it...definitely worth all the hype it's been getting

I had to check my calendar. Yep, it's January, and we've already got one of the best movies of the year. Why is it so good? Not only is it thrilling and at times scary, it is also an interesting character piece as well as thoughtful movie. It truly feels like a tape that was discovered, thus may upset people since it doesn't follow standard movie formula movements. Nothing is explained, but then, why should it be? It's not about the monster, it's about people trying to survive a disaster. First rate all the way.… Expand

Cloverfield was pretty good. the sound and picture was awesome, except when the screen shook a lot or it was tilted; this also gave a feeling that you were really there, so it was good and bad. i think the ending blew it though. it wasn't that but, . .. it's kind of like you wanted more. they could've explained it like "20 years later" or something like that.

I have a lot to say so I’ll just ramble on in no particular order. All the actors did very fine jobs, which is important to note because almost all of them are new to the silver screen. This movie had some really great and imaginative scenes (but I don’t want to spoil anything). It managed to avoid all the clichés and pitfalls that usually plague all the monster/invasion/disaster movies. The whole thing is like Rudi Giuliani’s wet dream come true. Here is where Cloverfield fails; the camera work. As you should know by now, the whole thing is shot from one of those little portable video cameras. Which is a great idea, but they really over did it. I liked the long scenes with almost no cuts (think Children of Men) but the camera never, NEVER, stopped bouncing around. I get the idea that it’s being shot by a regular Joe with no camera experience, but come on. I found it to be much worse than the Blair Witch project, nearly to the point of being unwatchable. This was worse than all of those armature UFO videos. It’s really sad because this could have been a truly epic movie. It did everything else right, (great story, great scenes, good characters, fresh feel) but the way it was filmed makes it tedious to watch.… Expand

Great movie camera movements a little crappy at the start but a great idea with amazing special effects more like a ride at the amusement park or a video game some critics only like artsy stuff but if you like action jj abrums kicks ass.

I thought the movie was very well done. It had stunning visuals and compelling character portrayal. The vantage point of the characters was fun to be in, and made you feel as if you were really with them. I thought the army scenes were amazing, and the acting was surprisingly realistic and natural. I however did not like the bouncing motion of the camera...it made me queasy and gave me a headache. This would be an easy 9 or 10 if the ending hadn't of left you wondering why you went to see the show in the first place. I think Hollywood tries to be too artistic sometimes...just give us what we want...a real ending.… Expand

The good: effects, sense of helplessness, one of the five actors and the world's toughest camcorder. The bad: four of the five actors.

I saw this movie today and i thought it was ok.. i mean, the movie is like the blair witch encounters with godzilla (but the monster here is kinda, like whe say, chafa in spanish) but the movie is really good, entertaining at least for the 1 hour and 15 minutes duration of it... see it on digital screen on the theaters, it looks amazing...

Best movie I've seen in years. It's not godzilla and go see it for yourself! It's action packed and one hell of a thrill.

It was really good and intense. it was scary in the sense that it was somewhat realistic. mainly because it was filmed in the first person by a main character and the fact that the actors werent well known. and because it was set in manhattan, a place that most people know of, rather than some random small town in texas that noone has heard of. compared to most horror and/or action films today, it was very well done.… Expand

Great monster, but the shaky camera ruined it. I understand that they were trying to make it look like it was shot on someone's home camera, but they couldn't ever keep the camera still for more than 2 seconds. I got motion sickness and had to spend about half of the movie listening with my eyes closed so that I wouldn't puke.

The single greatest movie i have ever seen!! I was left emotionally drained. The acting is flawless and the tention is through the roof. Cloverfield set new standers of movie viewers!

If you're a thrill-seeker, like crazy shots, or a fan of the documentary, and like reality TV, this movie is for you. I like all movies ranging from sophisticated period-pieces, to action-packed thrillers, and this by far, had me on the edge of my seat. So much so, at one point, I wanted to get off the ride. After the first 15 minutes, the movie does not stop. I think it will be a 100% success.… Expand

I honestly believe reviewers bashin' this film are wayyy off the mark. Pretty plain and simple, this is a well-made movie and gives a shockingly new style to the genre. Short but sweet, it is pretty darned rough at points but never quite "emotionally sadistic" as Salon.com ignorantly put it. I think the characters were quite sufficient given the context -- the first part I felt wasn't so much a failed attempt at character background but simply a setting of scene, effectively getting the audience ready for a complete shattering of the movie's simulated reality. It's scary and harsh alright but wicked if you have any clue as to what you're getting into. GO SEE IT.… Expand

I didn't expect all that much from a modern-day Godzilla movie, but I was blown away by how well-done this movie was. Fantastic. I also find it amazing how many "professional" critics couldn't get over the shaky camera. I imagine the same critics would have been crying foul if the camera didn't seem like it was really being toted around by one of the characters. So well done that it didn't even cross my mind while I was watching it that these were actors and not real people stuck in this situation.… Expand

Some clunky dialogue aside I thought this was one of the better "monster movies" I have ever seen. Some people I was with complained of dizziness which I myself did not experience. A solid movie where blanks are left open for you to fill in, making it a better film IMHO.

If you have to watch this abysmal film...sit in the very back...the constant shaking camera will make you puke...the monster is awesome...I wish it was filmed in an alternative style more complacent with my stomach cause I might have enjoyed it otherwise.

This movie made me feel something I have not felt in a long time. When all is said and done, and the credits roll, and the house lights come up, I honestly felt as if I had been in a car crash. That tingle, the fire rushing through your veins, I just survived a rabid giraffe attack feeling...Without giving anything away, I really believe the monster takes a back seat in this movie, and the spirit of human nature shines. My only complaint is this, don't sit too close to the screen. And by all means, for the sake of ambience and sound, see this film in the theater, don't wait for the DVD,… Expand

I don;y rate movies 10, if its really good it gets an 8 or a 9. This movie was amazing, no spoilers from me(its not godzilla). Yes it shows the monster.Yes people die. But the rest is for you to see and experience yourself. The single best movie i've ever seen. (Also Stay after the credits for a little bonus, its hard to make out but might change the way you look at the movie when its over).

Shaky cam is original and suits the movie, spectacular special effects and an awesome monster. A solid film which should not disappointed.

The concept was genius, but the production was unpolished at the editorial level. I went to see a monster flick and ended up walking out feeling seasick rather than feeling any sense of excitement at experiencing something amazing. I'll bet there are little kids puking outside theaters all across this country after seeing this movie. I had to close my eyes and just listen to large stretches. In retrospect, the latter was completely unneccessary, and could have been avoided with better editing (to cut down excessively long, and pointless as far as suspense and plot-line go, roller-coaster rides following the characters running up stairs, etc.). The movie also would have worked better with just one or two more elements of the "back story" (was the creature alien or deap sea?).… Expand

Can't stop thinking about this movie. I must go see it again/.

Awesome movie on many levels.

Very original and daring, unlike anything i've seen before and so much better that i expected. the point of view is so restrictive and yet so effective, you can only expect to see what one person would have seen, and given the scale of the disaster it is only a very small fraction and yet more than enough to make for a truly engrossing and mindblowing experience.

Simply put, Blair Witch videography meets War of the Worlds alien attack action. If you can handle the nausiating camera angles and swings and the rediculously stubborn characters which will cause you to curse at them for their stupidity, then this is a flick worth seeing simply for it's special effects and occasional creepy shock value. With little gore (PG13) but acceptable suspense, surprises and alien attacks, it does satisfy a bored movie goer. I would rate this "wait for the DVD" and then watch it at home in the dark with the audio turned way up. "We've got a bite!"… Expand

This movie would have been perfect if A: NORMAL CAMERA WORK AND B: DON'T END SO ABRUPTLY!!!! GIVE ME A LIL MORE INFO

Exciting, nonstop action!

This is a fairly decent movie. I think that Abrams did a fantastic job making people feel right in the center of an actual monster attack (despite it not being a 3D movie). However, there is still not enough clarification to go with this (even after watching it, you still don't know what the hell this monster is...) and some parts were a little dull (the opening scene was horrendously boring....). This could have been a great film, but it needed so much more.… Expand

Seven of us saw this movie together. On Meta Critic's scale of 10, all seven of us gave the movie a 20!

I loved the way the film was shot, which was very much like Blair Witch. Also as how you were kept guessing the whole way through. Even at the end, you were still left with questions. The monsters and it's "children" were creepy and scary. I'd recommend this movie to anyone.

My biggest complaint was the use of the handheld camera, which is central to the premise of the movie, but it gave me a massive headache about 2/3 of the way into the film. I was fearful of the portrayal of the monster(s), but it wasn't cheesy or too in your face like war of the worlds, and signs, etc. The writers borrowed too much thematically from Aliens, and the ending was completely predictable given the premise, but if you're curious about this, it's worth seeing in the theater.… Expand

Fantastic Movie! I know we all have an opinion though I find it hard to understand what is not to like about this movie if you have any interest in this genre.

The movie abused the camcorder first person view. It was great for a while but shakey cam was pretty annoying. The movie used some guy's stupid going away party as a plot device so that when the monsters came, they'd all be together. The monster's origin wasn't even hinted at, leaving their existance and origin left COMPLETELY open for interpretation. I'm all for making the viewer think, but that was just lazy writing. The end, aka "Thanks for your money", tried to use "the camcorder as the storyteller" but completely failed. Massive disappointment.… Expand

Very good, fun film.

Not many movies make me jump out of my seat but this one had me going. Love how it's a documentary of a group of friends during the monsters attack. At first I was a little disappointed at the ending, but then the thought of a sequal made everything fine.

After reading some of these reviews, I have to wonder if they are actually seeing this movie in an actual movie theatre or on their Sony DVD player in their car? This movie was perfectly scarry. If you have ever seen any of the original B-scarry movies in the fifties... this is an instant throwback to it. This is a must see movie for the sound alone. I was trembling the entire way through it. Loved it!… Expand

What a waste of time. I couldn't believe the lame, very long into to even get to the monster portion. It was a bad combination of product placement, bad acting, no script, and a hangover all in one. I checked my watch over and over and it's only 84 minutes long. A very long 84 minutes, long. Watch the trailer. It's more entertaining and you'll save yourself valuable time and money.… Expand

I have one comment about this movie. It's a waste of time.

Reading the "reviews" (I use the term loosely) from the users here, saying things like, "It suked" (their spelling, not mine) or "save your m$n$y," as though they are texting their friends the review rather than on a public forum that people over the age of 18 might actually be reading, just leads me to the conclusion I've held for quite some time. Your average moving-going audience is a bunch of vapid morons. About 5% of the theater we were in actually GOT what a masterpiece this truly is and WHY. The high schoolers, who were there because we forgot they were out early after taking exams, all left talking about it "sucking balls" and other colorful verbage. Nice. I guess that was thanks to its' lack of "in-your-face" footage of everything (thanks, video games!) and lack of neat, tidy little ending they could all talk about directly. Imagination!? What's THAT!? If you're the type of person who thinks the last 10 films you have seen are the most shallow, poorly acted and forgettable films EVER, then this is the film for you. If you understand what I mean by that statement, you'll most likely love it. If you don't, "save your m$n$y."… Expand

Genuinely enjoyable monster flick. It was seriously awesome. As far as people talking about allusions to 9/11 and everything, I don't quite understand where they are coming from. Sometimes it is better to take something at face value, because sometimes there really isn't any underlying meaning to it. It seems to me that they wanted to make a monster flick, and set it in New York. They did just that. That's about it. It was well done, and I really enjoyed it.… Expand

This movie was very realistic in the sense that in the highly unlikely event that a monster would attack this is likely the way the initial footage would be captured. The events of the movie also unfold in a very realistic manner which over helps create a certain level of believability to the movie. The acting could have been much better, but was good enough that it didn't distract from the main elements of the movie. The action scenes and carnage in the movie is very well done and while the video quality is understandable poor, the special effects and the audio are superb. The monster itself is frightening, and on a positive note all the internet spoilers I saw were false. Not much is explained about what is going on and as a viewer you are kept pretty much in the dark as too what is happening which helps with relating to the characters and the situation itself. For what they were trying to portray they did a very good job.… Expand

I don't get why everyone is complaining about the shakey camera. I could barely make it to the end of the Bourne Supremacy, but I didn't feel queezy for a second in this flick. But anyway, I'm really surprised. I got caught up in all the online hype over this movie, and I started to wonder "What if it's crap?". But for some reason, I love it. It's one of the best monster movies I've seen in a while, even if absolutely nothing is explained (what does Slusho have to do with anything?) But it works well as an experience. Having an army guy just come in and explain the monster and how to kill it would have completely ruined the pace of the movie. But it's not a perfect movie, and I can see why people aren't crazy about it. If you're not a monster movie person (like me) it can seem shallow and empty. But for me, it was haunting. Some shots were very well set up (not bad for a no name director). I don't know what else to say. I just really liked it. No, it's not perfect. But I was impressed just the same. And having a kickass monster helps too.… Expand

Cloverfield delivered the goods for me - I'm a fan of disaster movies and monster movies. The fx were great, the plot didn't have any big holes in it (unusual for sci-fi films), and the ending was not your typical hollywood fare. On the downside, the characters were just so-so. By the time I sat through the first 20 minutes of the movie (which only shows the pretty young things partying), I was more than ready for them to be turned into monster chow; throughout the rest of the film I never really cared about them. However, once the monster shows up, the pacing works, there are some good shock and scare moments, buildings crumble satisfactorily, and there's not TOO much gore. OK, the characters act a bit dumb sometimes, but that's a tradition in this kind of film. As an updated Godzilla film, Cloverfield works and is worth seeing.… Expand

If you do not get motion sickness easily, this is the movie for you. My friend and I had to not watch half of the movie because we felt sick to our stomache. The monster is like a half whale half godzilla, and the special effetcs are great, just bring a puke bag with you incase

The camera is jittery...yes...thats the point. Get over it. As for the ending, if any of you had been paying attention to the opening sequences, it tells you the ending. Not everything has a perfect closure. Much like life. Deal with it or just stop seeing movies all together. I'm sure there are plenty of copies of Shrek the 3rd if you're looking for happy endings.

Although not cinematically a perfect movie it still merrits a 10. For me the best Horror/Sci-Fi movies are the ones which manages to tap into our modern fears and anxieties. Movies like the Truman Show and The Matrix explored Post-Modernist fears of a false and meaningless existence while entertaining. Godizilla (the original) tapped into a nations fragile sense of being after becoming the first (and luckily to this day, the only) people ever attacked by nuclear weapons. Cloverfield is obviously a hyper-real answer to the banality of Post-Modernism in that it shows us real things, terrible things always have consequences. It does so by invoking the fear of 9/11 and by showing us a small personalized persepctive on an unexpected catastrophy. I was utterly taken with how real and immediate the sense of danger was in this movie. Unlike the remake of Godzilla, this monster didn't take care to run between the skyscrapers. And when it smashed into one, debri (and entire buildings) fell, and people the people below had to deal with the unimagineable task of surving that. The movies obvious faults in retrospect, the vertigo it gave me due to the camera work being the main one, in hindsight have become an integral part of the film for me. This is because I honestly believe that had things been done differently the movie wouldn't have stayed with me the way it has, continuing to make me think about my own fragility in a world I usually have little or no say in.… Expand

I pray to god that this style of filmaking dies with this film. I did not pay $7 to watch a guy run around with a handheld video camera. If Blair Witch meets Godzilla meets You Tube is your thing, then this movie is for you.

Extremely engrossing movie that leaves you feeling stunned. Definitely predictable, but they meant for it to be like that. The characters all seem like real people, which makes it much more interesting to watch.

Ok... This movie tries to hard to be cool... The 9-11 flashbacks were a little has been. The whole first half hour dragged on for so long, you were probably woken up by the first bang. And after that, you were just trying to prevent yourself from going into epileptic fits. This movie is so shaky, boring,dragtastic. Please ... save yourself the 84 minutes.

Not Fantastic, but still surprisingly well done. Among the group of us that went to see this film Friday the overall afterthoughts on this film were positive. I was mostly surprised by the fact that the movie wasn't cheesy! True you never find out where the monster came from, but the point is to keep the film in first person perspective (you know what they know). I will get this movie when it comes out!… Expand

I was expecting a Blair Witch meets Godzilla movie - and that's what I got. Shaky handycam aside, the pacing and suspense were good. I was surprised at how real the character dialog felt. However, there were sequences where I clearly saw the "insert thrilling videogame sequence here" sign. Do not see this movie if you want the cliche happy ending - come on people, the previews clearly state that the camera was "found", not galdly handed over by happy survivors! All in all, I still think this is a well made addition to the "what if the worst suddenly happened" style of movies.… Expand

Exciting Thrill, Hand held camera makes movie exciting and emotional. Shows interesting look on people's reactions when faced with a large attack. Enjoyable, likeable characters, keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Total waste ! so much potential.. I guess I was expecting so much more !

AAAAHHH! I am still throwing up from this. . .I don't not even know what to call it. . . .poopy? no it was worse then that. I didn't have any regrets in my life until I saw this movie. It has made me so frustrated I do not even know how to explain. The whole thing could have been great-besides the fact that there was no script and no image. Everything was just a blurry image of stupidness screams. I kept praying that the monster-whatever it was(you never find out) would eat the camera guy to end my misery. It was torture! Watching this movie was t--o-r-t-u-r-e! There is no reason to go and see this movie. Unless of course you are looking for a bad time, big headache, and somehow to waste your money. This could have been a good movie.. But it wasn't. The trailer was more interesting than the movie. I knew as much as I did before I saw the movie from when I left the theater. The only thing I learned was what it feels like to vomit all over the person next to me. The movie can be summed up in one word: worthless. Can they even call this a movie? From what I've seen the producers have no right in calling this a movie. How did they manage to put this on the big screen? We'll soon find out in the next 'Guinness Book of World Records' there will be the record for most people being tortured in one afternoon.… Expand

I really enjoyed this film. It was cannily paced (it needed some mundaneness at the beginning) and managed to convey the sense of great violence and loss. I'm a bit surprised at just _how much_ painfully stupid people haven't enjoyed it. Also, wretched taste sci-fi fanboys, like the losers at Slashdot, for whom no one should aim a movie.

I have to say that the movie was something I had never before seen done so well. It was alot better than Blair Witch although all the shaking of the camera made me queasy but I survived. I would suggest that you sit in the very back, the people back there said it wasn't that bad. Overall I was impressed and would recommend it.

Many films set out to accomplish what Cloverfield has perfected. A perfect medium between character development and action. The idea of "the less you see the scarier it is" truly is in effect in this film. Believe the hype and go see this movie.

JJ is a genius, a thrill of a movie, at least for those of us who "get it"...

Those who thought dull are the same ones that want the same old predictable movie and everything spelled out for them...yes the camera was shaky, but had I been filming it wouldve been shakier, so it just added to the realism of this monster movie... I say go see it!!

"Cloverfield" is a retarded art film. To put this ambitious gambit of a movie in perspective, you need to be a movie buff; not a snob(who only watches art-house fare); or a fanboy(who only watches mainstream junk); but rather somebody who has seen it all. And let me tell you: I've seen it all, and "Cloverfield" is something new. It's like watching "Godzilla" directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne("Rosetta", "L'Enfant"); an event film that eschews Hollywood convention for avant-garde disconformity, most notably, the emphasization of form over content. "Cloverfield" is a film you want to cheer for because it brazenly invites audience polarization. We haven't seen a film in wide-release so willing to simulate an amateurish shooting style since "The Blair Witch Project". What "Cloverfield" lacks, however, are characters who act like people(the versimilitude of Heather Donahue's performance in the Eduardo Sanchez & Daniel Myrick film made the Sundance fave from 1999, an artistic and financial success). Paper-thin characters hamper this film's attempt to conjure up the 9/11 tragedy from a you-are-there perspective. We can take only so much of, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!"… Expand

AWESOME! Reading the reviews of those whining about the shakiness reminds me of people who whime about not be able to "watch" subtitled films because they are always reading! Blergh! I get why some will not like this, you do not get closure as you do in most mainstram films. Think of all the monster movies thrown at us over the years. You as the viewer follow several people in different locations, and as the viewer, you have the luxury of knowing more details than those involved. Now, imagine if you were in that monster movie. You only know what you are seeing, meaning there is a lot you don't know. I applaud JJ Abrams for not following typical Hollywood suit & giving us a cookie-cutter storytelling & ending. Just like the end of the Sopranos, things go on, we just don't get to see them anymore! Suspend your disbelief, hunker down in the theatre and enjoy!!!!!!… Expand

Truly one of the worst films ever made. A complete waste of time, and I wish I could get my money back. I had to leave the theatre twice because I was getting ill from the handheld camera. Several times I had to look down because I couldn't take it. When I could watch, there was nothing worth seeing. The post work on the monster was horrible. If I could rate it a -100, I would.

This movie is a mashup of godzilla, 28 weeks later, starcraft and the blair witch, all the events woven together in some cheesy love story. The monster/disaster movie from 1st person handcam idea works, but instead of reworking the cliches, it should have at least tried to be original.

If you have ever had a problem with motion sickness, stay away from this movie. I just saw it and forget going out drinking. I got nauseated halfway through it. I didnt realize what it was and I told my boyfriend I might be pregnant. Then I thought about it and knew it was the movie. After that, I had to look away from the screen during the rest of the movie. Why a big budget movie would do this, I dont know. I felt like the only thing else to do was get up and ask for my money back. It ruined what was good of the movie... Made you feel the monster was stupid and the ending wasn't good enough for the whole ordeal the characters and I had to go through. After all this, you realize the only thing different about this movie was the use of one camara camcorder, which is not a very good thing. You are so absorbed with just trying to see what is going on that you don't realize until the ending that there was no substance or explanation of anything. Just random footage from the experience of a few people. I guess that's not what the director was going after... In summary, it was just a long ride at Universal Studios.… Expand

this movie was amazing. one of the best movies i have ever seen. its character development is sufficient enough to instill empathy for the viewer. they tie in just enough comedy to keep it realistic and remind everybody of their one quirky friend. the movie is overall stunning amazing and brilliantly done.

Too give this movie a bad rating is like having a giant golden stick up your butt that reads, "jaded." If you're looking for a few thrills and want to see a movie that is, if nothing else, completely enjoyable - than see Cloverfield. It does away with complex mumbo-jumbo explanations and over-acting by puting it in a regular joe point-of-view. For those who hated Cloverfield, try taking that giant golden stick out of your behind and just relax - it's just a monster movie. And a good one at that.… Expand

I thought this movie was one of the best movies i have ever seen. I would definetly give this 10/10.

Just watched the film in Malaysia and must say it was the biggest piece of crap I have ever seen. At the end of the movie people just sat there and after a couple of minutes got up and walked out without any of the normal chatter you get when someone has enjoyed the experience. It was like a dentists waiting room. Biggest waste of time and money I feel cheated.

The obviousness is a detriment--if you're going to use our "new emotional context" for terror (which is now ~ 7 years ago and only resonates for people in New York City and/or airports), you should at least do so with artistic purpose, even if you are just making a "monster movie." Vacuous characterization helps me root for the monster, which I would've liked alot more if it wasn't the same old pallid goblinesque "Cave/I Am Legend/every other movie monster of late" creature. The interesting thing about the Blair Witch was what you didn't see. Cloverfield gets by on what you do see--computer explosions, somewhat menacing spider-crab babies and the Statue of Liberty's head bowled through Manhattan (Chuck Heston must've winced in his sleep). In other words, good fireworks I will forget in about a week.… Expand

Great movie. I don't get why people are giving it low scores. It's a monster movie. And its effective and original. I'm sure all the imitators that come later will be far inferior.