Cloverfield

[sam_gamgee]

Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of horror/thriller/monster genre of movies. Normally, I think they're stupid and not at all scary, and therefore see no point in watching them. (The two exceptions being Saw - which scared the crap out of me and AVP - which I geeked out over waaay too much for never having seen any of the Alien or Predator movies.)


So, why did I go see this movie? Because I'm a Drew Goddard fangirl. Yep, that's basically it. (And the reasoning behind going instead of waiting to rent it was that if it had a good opening weekend, that would reflect well on everyone and thereby hopefully Drew will get more work in the future.)


All of that said, I really did like the movie, though the shaky camera got to be a bit much at times. I liked that, while there was build-up for a relationship between two of the characters, it was a very much "day in the life" sort of thing and didn't create a huge epic romance that tends to be the norm for this genre, but more of a driving force/purpose for one of the characters.

I like that the main characters didn't become heroes. So often, the cliche of ordinary-person-becomes-hero-and-saves-the-day is used that I'm kind of tired of it (even if I do sorta-kinda enjoy it in the way that I enjoy romantic comedies). They were ordinary and scared and messed up and did fairly well with what they had.

I like that there wasn't a backstory on the monster. So often there is one and it's rather formulatic. (This, obviously ties into the above paragraph - if your main characters aren't kicking alien ass and taking names, why would they need to know a backstory in order to defeat it?) "OMG, there's a monster, it's destorying Manhattan, we've gotta get out of here" works just as well.

I loved that there wasn't a soundtrack to the movie. Normally this genre relies heavily on music to set mood - "impending doom", "safe", "climatic kiss", you get the idea. And that's fine. As someone who's done sound work in theatre, and who actively listens when I got to the movies, I can appreciate it. But I love that there wasn't a soundtrack for this one, so you have no idea how to feel as you're watching.

I also loved that by the end of the movie all the main characters are dead. I don't know why, but this is a total jackpot for me. I guess because normally the main characters - especially the hero and heroine - are left (barely) standing at the end. This time, not so much.

Comments

[akina16.livejournal.com]

I didn't read this but I just want to know if you liked it cause I'm going to see it next Saturday. *covers eyes so she won't read*

[sam-gamgee.livejournal.com]

Yes, I did like it - a lot.

And watch closely at the very end - something happens to the right of the screen.

[akina16.livejournal.com]

lol okay cool :D

[spikesleman.livejournal.com]

I am SO looking forward to seeing this movie. If the freezing rain and drizzle would stop I would go see it at once! When it's very cold and rainy, Mary Ann doesn't drive worth a bean so I've been at home by the fire, hoping that we don't run out of something important enough that I'd be forced to drive to the grocery store.