"Cloverfield" is a modern monster film told from the perspective of one home video camera. You might describe it as a cross between "Godzilla" and "Blair WItch Project". For those who can't stand this kind of film, be forewarned. There is hardly any shot in the film that is level, totally in focus or steady. Many reports of nausea were reported when this hit theaters.

J.J. Abrams of "Lost" and "Alias" fame produced this project and it was top secret for all involved from the start. At one point, the project was called "Cheese" but things still leaked out onto the Internet. The loose story centers upon a young man, Michael Stahl-David, who is leaving for Japan and they are taping his going away party in central NYC when suddenly a terrible,huge, monster attacks the city. The camera follows a group from the party as they try to rescue the young man's ex-girlfriend(Odette Yustman), who is injured and trapped in her apartment while trying to avoid the mysterious monster that is on a rampage throughout the city.
The young cast features Stahl-David, Yustman, T.J. Miller (who holds the camera for most of the film and provides comic relief), Jessica Lucas, Mike Vogel, and Lizzy Caplan. Caplan has the most interesting role in the film; she's the loner girl at the party by choice who party's heavily, is the most sensitive, and the most heroic.

In watching the film and its technique for telling this story, I was amazed at the technology; this really looks like the real thing. There were a few problem scenes; the introduction to the characters was a bit long the party goers seem to scream way too soon and where does a young girl of 22 or 23 get a modern apartment overlooking Central Park? If you can get around these inconsistencies, the film can be admired for its intensityonce the monster hits, which is by far the most entertaining portion. The ending is abrupt and without any real conclusion, which is disapointing as an audience member but makes it possible for a sequel?

Picture and sound-The picture is sharply edited but you wouldn't know it as you'd think the camera was just being turned on and off. The subtle images of the monster work well for the most part; you know something is there, that its big, its seems to be indestructable and likes to chew on buildings and bring them down. Most of this is caught by the camera as if it was really happening, and in this day and age of digital technology and home video cameras capturing everything from plane crashes to assassinations, it is easy to get into the mindset of believability. Sound is excellent, and totally captures the panic and the destruction well in a surround theater environment.

Extras include commentary from Matt Reeves, a long making of documentary (don't watch this before the film as it includes some spoilers), outtakes,deleted scenes, a special effects feature,altenative endings, and some special secret Easter eggs. Its a good set of extras which bring value to the single disc dvd.

"Cloverfield" brings a lot of entertainment in the form of a mysterious monster, a rescue adventure, a interesting viewing perspective, well rounded characters,suspense and action. What it lacks is a satisfying conclusion and a lot of unanswered questions, which makes it ripe for a sequel. I'm sure that this group of young adults weren't the only ones in NYC with a video camera during this incident.