CLOVERFIELD

Most avid movie goers, especially the sci-fi and superhero fans, succumb to the "Hype" that is intentionally spun by the movie makers. I am no exception to the rule, and fully bought in to the build up to this Hush Hush of a script and movie called CLOVERFIELD.

From the first frame of the film, which sets up the origin of the hand held documentation of what occurred that night, you are geared up and ready for more more more. I have to say that the slow build (first 20 minutes or so) toward the introduction of the monster and the chaos that follows, was a bit nerve racking.Once the creature made its entrance, the movie kicked into gear and never let up.

Not much background comes with CLOVERFIELD, from the title to the where, why and what
of the creator introduced. The mystery though, keeps you going and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Maybe I am spoiled by some of the historic and simplistic styles of past and present monster movies, but I like a payoff, and I like to be fully captured, creeped out and scared by all monsters. I even would go as far as saying that I enjoy even cheering for the monster at odd moments in a film. The total "badness" of any monster is always amazing and exciting, but in CLOVERFIELD we never get to even appreciate the evil or destructive power of the creature.

Is the creature BIG????? Yes, absolutely
Is the creature Destructive and Powerful?? For Sure
Is the creature Frightening?? Yes

WE JUST DONT SEE ENOUGH OF IT, or even understand what he is out there doing.

There are even some events that happen in addition to the actual raging monster, that only add to the questions you will have when the movie is over.

1. The creatures that seem to fall off the monster and run thru the streets.
2. The effect that the little creatures bite has on a main character in the story.

If this was a one shot movie, with no sequel planned ( I doubt it ) then I would be
fully disappointed.
If sequels will follow, then I will spend another $9.00 and go without hesitation.

It seems a little sad, that movie makers sometimes feel the need to be Sooooooo unique and creative, and so driven by the bottom line and the future of the franchise, that a simple scary as crap monster cant be introduced, feared, chased, and ultimately defeated or not.
I know that a sequel will come, but will it be more of the same?? Will we have to wait for the 3rd or 4th CLOVERFIELD before we get a taste of what a truly BAD ASS monster is supposed to look like and act like.

Think of Alien or Predator, and how these movies also built up towards the ultimate
appearance of the monsters. These movies however, had a payoff in the end, and did not leave the viewer waiting on the movie studio to put together the next teaser of a film.

I liked CLOVERFIELD, and could appreciate the visionary film making and storyline, but I do not want to feel like I am being strung along by the movie maker.
Maybe a little more monster would have satisfied my craving?

To much emphasis on the point of view of the story ( the hand held camera), and that gets old rather quickly when you are waiting to experience "The Monster" of this movie.

Don't tease me, take another wad of my money, and make me wait like a child to earn the right to experience that all monster movies fans want. GIVE ME MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MONSTER.....

3.5 stars out of 5