2008 was not a great year in film. It was 
quite honestly a terrible one, and I have fears that 2011 will end up in a very similar fashion. The only thing really disputing that is that 2008 already had its greatest film within the first few weeks of the year. It set a high bar for the rest of the year, and no film quite matched up. I don't arrive at Cloverfield as my favorite film of that year lightly, because it is a highly polarizing feature. Mainstream viewers saw only what was right in front of them, which was a musically-devoid picture that hinges on a simple gimmick, following the least extraordinary group during this colossal event in New York City.
quite honestly a terrible one, and I have fears that 2011 will end up in a very similar fashion. The only thing really disputing that is that 2008 already had its greatest film within the first few weeks of the year. It set a high bar for the rest of the year, and no film quite matched up. I don't arrive at Cloverfield as my favorite film of that year lightly, because it is a highly polarizing feature. Mainstream viewers saw only what was right in front of them, which was a musically-devoid picture that hinges on a simple gimmick, following the least extraordinary group during this colossal event in New York City.The premise of this film is rather simple, with an unknown monster attacking Manhattan on the night of Robert Hawkins' going away party. After all hell breaks loose, Rob heads towards the heart of the city to rescue his kinda-sorta girlfriend from her apartment before it's too late. That pretty much encapsulates the plot, and if it seems a little all over the place, that's by intention. The film throws a ridiculous and surreal science fiction element into the lives of these characters, derailing any plans they had before. The film itself is an artifact, revealing how these characters lost absolutely everything they had, and without any particular reason. Even the title of the film leaves it ambiguous as to the why.
It should be widely known as a technical marvel, with breathtaking sound mixing, editing, and to be totally honest, spectacular cinematography. There is a certain beauty that the film achieves as it moves forward, because Hud becomes slightly more adept as he moves forward. It's still a totally raw and gritty look, and if this film ever feels lost, it's by intention. It's a chaotic masterpiece, as well as an unintentional one. Today, many people look at it as something that only existed for one reason, and that's the monster. While it's an interesting and unique design, the monster is the least of this film's prowess. Its success comes from the subtle human emotions and time capsule nature of the storyline.
A+
Yay, someone else who loved the film! (although this is the first I've seen Cloverfield at No.1, I think it was at like my number 8 or 9). And to be quite honest, I don't recall 2008 being terrible.
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