Cloverfield MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -4

Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, Lizzy Caplan. Written by Drew Goddard. Directed by Matt Reeves.FILM SYNOPSIS: Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. Told from the point of view of their video camera, the film is a document of their attempt to survive the surreal, horrifying event as the gliding Gorgon smashes well-know edifices and mashes insignificant people.

PREVIEW REVIEW: One colleague described it as Godzilla meets You-Tube. I cant beat that description of this apocalyptic monster movie. This is one instance where a hand-held camera works to energize and center us within the action. That said, the constant motion of the shaky cam is used to dizzying effect and the cell-phone toting, self-absorbed characters refer to everyone as Dude. (That term just wont go away.) Its a horror movie for iPod people.

Cloverfield is an armrest-grabbing thrill ride (containing a few truly scary moments), but with no one explaining how this flying prehistoric-looking destroyer came about. Were not to ask questions, just watch with awesome fascination as Manhattan buildings come tumbling down. There are elements of Godzilla, The Day the Earth Stood Still, King Kong and The Blair Witch Project to be found in this salute to the B horror flicks of the 1950s. The difference is, Godzilla (Gojira) was an indictment of those who use atomic bombs; The Day the Earth Stood Still was a warning for mankind to make peace before it destroyed itself; King Kong was a love story; and The Blair Witch Project was an experiment in eeriness. Cloverfield has no such high-minded agendas (though maybe its supposed to be seen as a metaphor for 9/11). Its just meant to excite and sell popcorn to a generation unfamiliar with Blair Witch, let alone Godzilla.

Now, I certainly cant wish this for those in real life, but for anyone who still says Dude in the movies, well, they deserve to be monster-mashed.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Paramount