Cloverfield

Shaky-cam style films are not really for me, and I know some people get physically nauseous just watching these films. The Spanish horror film [Rec], which was recently remade into the American film Quarantine, utilises the shaky-cam. The benefits that I see are that the camera style makes the film feel more personal and believable. It is a handy tool of immersion as well. I have seen a few of these types of film, with by personal favourite being the Blair Witch Project, and Cloverfield would be the second film I had seen. I get travel sick quite easily, so it was to my pleasure that I found I could watch even the most frentic parts of the movie without having to go to the bathroom.
Cloverfield starts off quite slowly (too slowly, some critics have mentioned, as they were expecting the action to happen right away. For me, I prefer it this way as it adds to the believability, and makes me feel more for these people. Horror films work well when they make you care for the safety of the protagonists.) with some of the main character's(Rob, played by Michael Stahl-David) friends preparing a going-away party, as he is leaving for Japan. As the party is in full swing, his ex-girlfriend leaves to go to her apartment further away in the city, and when disaster strikes, he and a group of three of his friends decide that they have to find her encountering beasts along the way.
Cloverfield is the military name for the monster that appears in New York City, just in case you thought that the name was completely random.
At times throughout the film, parts where the tape is stopped shows the footage that was on the tape before it was taped over for the making of the movie. It immerses you more, without getting too unbelievable. It fills in some of the backstory as well, including why Rob is so intent on reaching the girl in time, and that he still has feelings for her. I liked those parts, as it let you get your breath back, and broke up the action sequences nicely, instead of the actors having lengthy monologues.
I don't think that not seeing the monster much throughout the film affected the enjoyment at all, because when you did see it, it was somewhat believable. Twists and turns were deployed throughout the film, making the piece seem breathless, and you never knew what was going to happen next.
The camera used was a full-HD camcorder, so it looks just as good as a blockbuster epic would, as I know some people were uneasy about that.
I enjoyed the film, though I wouldn't call it a horror, I was uneasy at some points and to me it was an action adventure.
I did enjoy this film in the cinema and at home and for this reason I am giving it a 7/10.
N.B The results of the voting for the next review will culminate into the next review I do after the voting has finished, just wanted to add some more detail to the site.
Thanks very much for reading and have a good day.