Cloverfield: B-

“We have footage.” That’s how “Cloverfield” starts. And it’s weird.This movie opens up with a government official having found video coverage from what was Central Park. The footage starts in chronological order of a day in the life of two young New Yorkers. It ends in an event that would impact the nation. Who the two residents are isn’t even important, but what is important is how their day goes from being carefree and simple to destructive and fearful. Then you find yourself asking why they are video taping in the first place.

The story:You soon find out that the lead character, Rob, has landed a vice president position at a job in Japan. His friends and brother are throwing him a going away party. At the party, Hud (best friend to Rob) is given a camera to record everyone’s goodbyes and congratulations, as you would at a wedding reception.

The fun is quickly interrupted by what seems to be an earthquake. The earthquake turns out to be a large monster that has brought some “spider- like” creatures with it to terrorize Manhattan. While most are trying to get away Rob and four friends set out to find Rob’s not- girlfriend who is trapped under rubble in her apartment building.

They film the entire adventure. This footage shows one couple getting separated in the commotion, two friends dying, and many other chilling scenes. The footage ends with a couple barely surviving after a loud jump- out -of- your- seat blast. This blast leads to the camera falling and no sign of the couple or what has happen to the city.

The Dish:I liked this movie. The suspense made me jump. It was creepy and the cinematography was cool. It’s shot with hand- held cameras and I thought was awesome- it made me feel like I was really there, witnessing my dumb-founded friend find the need to record the entire event. When you see this movie you’ll find yourself asking what kind of person falls witness to a monster that is so big and unstoppable that the entire power of the military can’t stop it, how likely are you to carry a camera into the line of fire and video tape every second of what is going on? What makes five young people venture off into ciaos instead of finding safety? Along with the curiosity to how one female managed to wear high heals the entire time and not sprain her ankle of complain about her feet being in pain.

Overall, if you like movies that have just the right amount of action to balance out drama and suspense with a realistic and problematic science fiction, and fantasy that makes you believe just a second that you are the one on camera in the “Line of Fire” and baring witness to what will later become evidenced to one of life’s impacted historical events, then “Clover field” is the move you have to see.

Just the facts:Director: Matt Reeves, Run Time: 1 hr, 24 min, Genre: Sci-Fi Horror, Rating: PG-13Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, T.J. Miller, Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, and Odette Yustman

3.5 stars I Victoria’s book

• Victoria McCluney