The debates to be had amongst Horror fans are numerous. Although the main purpose of this little series I’ve deployed is to laud the merits of a much maligned genre, another is to inspire discussion. One of my favorite questions to examine when talking Horror is; “When is a Monster movie a Horror movie?”
The question is not as simple as it seems. Although all Horror films are, at their essence, Monster movies (be they supernatural creatures or humans behaving monstrously), not all Monster movies are Horror films. “King Kong” is a prime example of a Monster movie that doesn’t quite cross the Horror threshold. Most alien invasion movies don’t make the cut, either. These films show us that Horror is often an indefinable state-of-mind that must translate before a film can wear that title. In that spirit I present to you the 2008 Monster movie, CLOVERFIELD.
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A simple pitch really, “The Blair Witch Project” meets “Godzilla”, CLOVERFIELD begins in the apartment of a guy named Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who is having a going-away party as he is about to move to Japan. The party is being filmed by his friend Hud (T.J. Miller), who is filming farewells from Rob’s friends. Rob’s estranged girlfriend, Beth (Odette Yustman), leaves early after an awkward exchange, so Rob and his brother Jason (Mike Vogel) head onto the balcony for a talk. There, some time after Beth has gone, a tremor hits. Thinking it was an earthquake, the partygoers head outside. Suddenly, the decapitated head of the Statue of Liberty crashes onto the street in front of them and Hud, still filming, gets a brief shot of a large monster in the distance. Rob then gets a call from Beth, who is now injured in her apartment and is pleading for help. Rob and his friends go against the crowds and the orders of the military and set out to find and rescue Beth.
CLOVERFIELD is an exciting, gripping film that shows us what it would be like in-the-moment if a giant creature began a rampage in New York City. The production is top-notch. Convincing CGI, realistic sets, a well designed monster, and good performances by an unknown cast really make you feel like you are there. From the moment the events spring into motion, CLOVERFIELD is a compelling adventure through ruined streets, frightened crowds, and looted stores - and that is where the viewer suspects the movie will remain; as an Adventure film. An Adventure movie with a monster in it like, yes, “King Kong”. Then, early on in the adventure, something happens…
As our heroes are looting supplies from an electronics store, they see a news report on one of the display TVs. There, they see that smaller “parasites” the size of large dogs are peeling off the main creature and attacking people at random. They are vicious, fast, spider-like creatures that leap onto the fleeing citizens and kill mercilessly. This first introduction to the parasites is a genuinely chilling moment, and that is where the tone of CLOVERFIELD shifts. Suddenly, we’re not just in an Adventure movie anymore. When our heroes eventually encounter these parasites face-to-face, we are now solidly in a Horror movie. A thrilling, fun, and scary one, at that.
CLOVERFIELD was a moderate success on its release, despite many complaints about the found-footage camera work, and it has enjoyed heightened popularity over the last few years as a Horror favorite. It is easy to see why. It is a film that satisfies fans of the Horror and Adventure genres alike, AND it boasts a cool monster, to boot!
Parental Guide: Little in the way of gore, but very intense. Keep small kids and younger teens away. 16+
CLOVERFIELD fun facts-
The character that shoots most of the footage is named Hud. H.U.D. stands for Heads Up Display which pertains to information stamped onto video footage (i.e. time code).
The title came from the street in Santa Monica where the production offices for the film are located. It was originally just the working title.
At first, puppets were used when the parasites attack in the subway tunnel. They were eschewed when director Matt Reeves felt they looked “too goofy”.
The monster was conceived as a “baby” beast that is spooked and looking for its mother. This is why we see its tail destroy the Brooklyn Bridge instead of its hand, as originally scripted.
Hud - “Okay, just to be clear here, our options are: die here, die in the tunnels, or die in the streets. That pretty much it?”
Soldier - “Whatever it is, it's winning.”
Hud - “People need to see this, you know? It's gonna be important. People are going to watch this.”