The title of this new thriller is very distinctly familiar. "Cloverfield" was a well-received but notoriously shaky found-footage type of monster film back in 2008. At first, I did not really plan to watch this one because I was averse to watching extremely shaky-cam films like the first one was. However, because of an assurance that it was not going to be shaky, I decided to go check it out.
One day, Michelle got into a vehicular accident and woke up in an enclosed room, with an injured leg and in chains. An elder man Howard came in to tell her that she is now in a bunker he built under his farm and that he had actually rescued her from what could be an alien attack on the world outside. Michelle struggles to process whether Howard was really her savior or was he just a psychopath holding her captive?
The way director Dan Trachtenberg (in his feature film debut) told the story. You will definitely be puzzled as Michelle was as to the status of her current situation. Can this guy Howard be trusted or not? On one side, we see Howard as a kindly reliable father-type ready with food, supplies and entertainment. On the other side, we also get the sense that Howard had something sinister under his sleeve. We are kept on edge the whole time. The suspense created was very effective.
As Michelle, Mary Elizabeth Winstead succeeds in getting us to root for her to make the right decisions. This is the first time I got to see her in a lead role, although she had been in a number of B-horror films like "The Ring Two", "Final Destination 3", and "The Thing." John Goodman is a tried and true veteran character actor and he further proves his versatility here with his double-edged character Howard.
The less said about the final act the better. It will be polarizing -- either you will enjoy it or you totally hate it. It was so outrageously out-of-this-world, yet with just that subtle sense of humor which kept it grounded. I viewed this film without a nitpicking mind, so I actually found that ending wild and exciting. However, I also got a sense of anti-climax with that ending. This was especially because it came from left field, following the suffocating claustrophobia of the first two acts. 8/10.
I love the story line. I do like these criminal, fbi, psycopath, thriller movies. I'd love to watch it!
ReplyDeleteNice one. What a great story line. What a thriller movie it is.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw the movie and I wasn't impressed. I originally thought it was going to be the shaky found video but since it wasn't that at least was a plus. The acting was good but I thought the movie itself was terrible.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this last Saturday and I absolutely loved it! I haven't enjoyed movie so scary in a long time, but this was so worth the watch.
ReplyDeleteA monster film without Godzilla in it (Godzilla fan here), and you gave it 8/10! This I've got to see!
ReplyDeleteLooks like the movie is not that much to rave about. I love a good thriller film and I am getting mixed reviews from the comments here so I think I will head on to the movie theater this weekend to see for myself. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, sci-fi and suspense! I'd love to see Mary Elizabeth Winstead here because I think she's a great actress, just very limited with her roles.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a big fan of movies like this. I guess I'll let this pass. I'm content reading your review. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have lost my penchant for these sort of films when I became a mum but I guess it won't hurt to watch one from time to time.
ReplyDeleteIt's gonna keep you thinking on the intentions of the characters. It would be interesting to follow and see how the swerve impacts the story.
ReplyDeleteI never even finished the first film, it was really not my kind of movie. I am glad you reviewed this otherwise I never would have been interested in this one.
ReplyDeleteThe way you described the movie got me hooked. I always admired psychopathic people. I hope Howard is a psycho.
ReplyDeletei always find films like these boring and could never get into it. i would fall asleep so i avoid watching them
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. It's the first time I've heard of this movie so I immediately checked for trailer. I may consider seeing this.
ReplyDeleteThrilling looks like! I was toying with the idea to watch this movie but settled for another. I think I will watch this now.
ReplyDeleteWhen my friend ask me to watch, I wasn't really interested because of the title. Somehow, it didn't seem really interesting... I will still give it a miss...
ReplyDeleteTrying to recall this movie tho I'd consider watching it. A mixture of scary and humor filled combo isn't a bad storyline after all
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