Cloverfield

I watched Cloverfield last night, and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. But here I am still thinking about it.

**** SPOILER ALERT ****

(Don't read any further if you don't want to know what happens in this movie.)

In many ways the movie isn't very good. The dialog is mostly uninspired, and the characters don't have much depth. But that's OK, because who has time for the luxury of whimsical bantering while their city is suddenly under attack by unknown forces? (Yeah, not very subtle 9/11 allusions.)

A group of pretty people are having a party to say goodbye to their friend Rob, who's leaving New York for a promotion in Japan (birthplace of Godzilla!). His dimwitted friend Hud is enlisted to tape the proceedings, a job he takes very seriously. The movie is presented as being shot through this video camera, which makes for a notoriously vertiginous experience. (Supposedly, some moviegoers became nauseous while watching the movie — and not from any gory special effects, because the movie is blessedly tame in that respect.)

And then there's Beth, a longtime friend of Rob. They recently became "more than friends," but since he's leaving anyway, Rob decided not to call Beth. (Rob, don't be a jerk!) Beth shows up at the party with her new boyfriend. They don't stay long.

At this point, I'm getting bored. What is this? Beverly Hills 90210, but in New York?

"Suddenly, a shot rang out!"

The building shakes, the lights go out, and the partygoers head to the roof to find out what's going on. They quickly head down into the streets after they start getting pummeled by debris. A large object flies through the air, crashes and rolls down the street. When it stops, we see ... the head of the Statue of Liberty! Commence taking pictures with cell phone cameras.

The people in the movie still don't realize that they're all going to die, but the collapse of the Woolworth building suggests that getting off of Manhattan might not be a bad idea. They debate various escape plans. (Come on, you're in a movie! Obviously you have to take the Brooklyn Bridge.)

After the monster takes out the bridge, killing at least one person whose name is in the credits, Rob decides to check his voice mail. Oh no! Beth is in trouble!

How would Jank Handey put it? "If the girl of your dreams is trapped in a toppled apartment building in midtown — and that's also where the rampaging fifty-story tall monster is — let her go, because man, she's gone."

(There's more, but I'm tired, so I'll finish later.)