Cloverfield

[cardero]

He wanted his giant monster to be mythologically and psychologically related to the attacks of 9/11 in the same way Gojira was related to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Not sure he got there, though.

Definitely not with those inspirations. He resourced and reflected three moments in history that most Americans would very well prefer not to remember (Blair Witch Project, Godzilla 1998 (Gino) and 9/11). This is not a recipe for a good or memorable movie-going experience.

 

[doppelganger]

Definitely not with those inspirations. He resourced and reflected three moments in history that most Americans would very well prefer not to remember (Blair Witch Project, Godzilla 1998 (Gino) and 9/11). This is not a recipe for a good or memorable movie-going experience.

The 9/11 invocations are none to subtle either. To do this sort of thing right, you've got to keep it under the conscious radar for most viewers.

 

[Mister_T]

I'm thinking repeated viewings might open up things more. Background chatter from different set locations and a pause/ slo-mo button may reveal more. Or one can just wait for the sequel that they are planning.

I have to also say that I was a tad dissapointed with the way the monster looked. Wasn't particularly scary looking IMO.

 

[cardero]

The 9/11 invocations are none to subtle either. To do this sort of thing right, you've got to keep it under the conscious radar for most viewers.

In that aspect it may have been done well (with the exception of the size of the Statue Of Liberty's head**) but I am still undecided whether Cloverfield could have been filmed, performed and presented straight without the "shakey-cam" gimmick.

** This is not a spoiler since it has been previewed on commercials and other marketing materials but I could only presume that the head of Liberty would be much bigger.

 

[doppelganger]

I have to also say that I was a tad dissapointed with the way the monster looked. Wasn't scary particularly scary looking IMO.

If that's one of your criteria, then I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy The Host. Sorry to keep harping on it, but it's a much better movie. Because it's Korean, it has gone largely unnoticed by American moviegoers, but The Host is the best monster movie I've seen since Jaws.

 

[Mister_T]

If that's one of your criteria, then I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy The Host. Sorry to keep harping on it, but it's a much better movie. Because it's Korean, it has gone largely unnoticed by American moviegoers, but The Host is the best monster movie I've seen since Jaws.

Yeah looks are important to me. . I was just expecting something that looked a little more menacing/evil looking.

Originally, people thought Cloverfield was a remake of The Host. I'll definitely have to check it out.

 

[cardero]

I have to also say that I was a tad dissapointed with the way the monster looked. Wasn't particularly scary looking IMO.

I'm not exactly sure what people were expecting the monster to look like but even before the release it was kept quiet. I was disappointed in the way that the full picture was never revealed. The monster is supposed to be as tall as the Empire State Building but we are never really allowed to feel this full effect from the sneeks and peeks that can only come from a frightened cameraman constantly on the run.

 

[Mister_T]

In my quest to find the origins of the monster, I found this website with mock news footage about an oil tanker explosion in the Atlantic Ocean.

Video Footage of Cloverfield Monster Destroying Chaui Station; Rob hired by Slusho | /Film

 

[Mister_T]

I'm not exactly sure what people were expecting the monster to look like but even before the release it was kept quiet. I was disappointed in the way that the full picture was never revealed. The monster is supposed to be as tall as the Empire State Building but we are never really allowed to feel this full effect from the sneeks and peeks that can only come from a frightened cameraman constantly on the run.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what I was expecting either.

The monster's roar from the trailer (which I don't think was present in the movie) was extremly eerie.....the monster wasn't nearly as "eerie" as I thought it would be. Maybe Cthulu would have been better.

 

[cardero]

In my quest to find the origins of the monster, I found this website with mock news footage about an oil tanker explosion in the Atlantic Ocean.

Video Footage of Cloverfield Monster Destroying Chaui Station; Rob hired by Slusho | /Film

Doppelganger touched on this but it is interesting to note that In the Blair Witch Project, I remember they built the myth up before the movie was released. In Cloverfield, it seems as if the myth is building after it's release.

 

[doppelganger]

The monster's roar from the trailer (which I don't think was present in the movie) was extremly eerie.....the monster wasn't nearly as "eerie" as I thought it would be. Maybe Cthulu would have been better.

Can't believe I missed that connection! This monster has a great deal in common with Cthulhu . . . a menacing monstrous god that devours everything for no apparent reason, lurking at the bottom of the sea and waiting to be released. One of the videos you linked to suggests that some sort of underwater seismic activity is what caused his release, possibly related to drilling by the Japanese company, Traguato.

Like Abrams' "Lost" TV show, much of the detail is not on the screen, but hidden in the viral marketing campaign. He's very good at this aspect of creating his stories.

 

[doppelganger]

In the Blair Witch Project, I remember they built the myth up before the movie was released. In Cloverfield, it seems as if the myth is building after it's release.

Before and after. There was even more pre-release run up for Cloverfield then there was for Blair Witch, including a fictional Japanese drilling corporation and its protestors, mysterious websites, etc.

 

[Mister_T]

Can't believe I missed that connection! This monster has a great deal in common with Cthulhu . . . a menacing monstrous god that devours everything for no apparent reason, lurking at the bottom of the sea and waiting to be released. One of the videos you linked to suggests that some sort of underwater seismic activity is what caused his release, possibly related to drilling by the Japanese company, Traguato.

Like Abrams' "Lost" TV show, much of the detail is not on the screen, but hidden in the viral marketing campaign. He's very good at this aspect of creating his stories.

Everyone was banking on it being Cthulu since seeing the first trailer. It sure sounded like Cthulu would have been a shoe in. Like you said monster from the sea who destrys/devours everything. I think it would have been a lot scarier if they went that route.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a Cthulu movie.....

 

[Mister_T]

Before and after. There was even more pre-release run up for Cloverfield then there was for Blair Witch, including a fictional Japanese drilling corporation and its protestors, mysterious websites, etc.

Let's just hope they don't make some god-awful sequel like they did with Blair Witch. :cover:

 

[doppelganger]

Let's just hope they don't make some god-awful sequel like they did with Blair Witch. :cover:

$41 million dollars says they will. :cover:

 

[Mister_T]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen a Cthulu movie.....

Ok Hollywood, now I want a Cthulu movie. Make it happen!

 

[lunamoth]

Ok Hollywood, now I want a Cthulu movie. Make it happen!

Didn't you see Pirates of the Carribbian II and III?

 

[Mister_T]

Didn't you see Pirates of the Carribbian II and III?

Yeah but that was a Kraken. I want an angry squid god wreaking havok on some major city.

For the record, I wish I could forget the 3rd Pirates movie.....if there was ever a time for those Men In Black flashy-stick things, that was it. :cover:

 

[lunamoth]

For the record, I wish I could forget the 3rd Pirates movie.....if there was ever a time for those Men In Black flashy-stick things, that was it. :cover:

It was rather ... strange.

 

[Mister_T]

It was rather ... strange.

It made about as much sense as that Tom Cruise Scientology video. Maybe they were made by the same person.