Were you one of the millions of people sucked into the 1-18-08 hype? I know I was. From the time that first teaser hit the net I was obsessed: scouring the net looking for clues, checking in on every website I could find that promised exclusive content on the movie, reading up on all the rumors and hints as to what exactly the movie was about. Remember the argument over the line from the trailer on whether or not someone said "I saw it - it's a LION - it's huge!" or "I saw it - it's ALIVE - it's huge!"? Was that a "Slusho" t-shirt someone was wearing in the teaser? Are these strange websites that recently popped up connected to this 1-18-08 movie? How about this poster with the word "Monstrous" on it? Is this the title of the flick? CAN ANYONE CLEAR ANY OF THIS UP FOR ME????

I'm so glad no one stepped forward with any real answers. The viral marketing of this flick was incredible, only allowing us, the future ticket-buyers to this rollercoaster ride of a flick, to know only what the filmmakers wanted us to know....only sharing just enough to keep they hype going and interest strong. The big questions remained unanswered, even now that the film is out and playing on screens the world over....there is still so much I want to know. But in the weeks preceeding "Cloverfield"'s release we finally had some of the more pertinent questions answered. Yes, it is a giant monster movie. Yes, the official title IS "Cloverfield". Yes, it is entirely a first-person, handheld camera style movie, ala "Blair Witch". The hype machine for this flick was in overdrive for 8 months and I can honestly say I was sucked in, spun around, and spit out. Anxiously awaiting the day of 1-18-08.

Was the wait worth it? In short: Hell-mutha-fuckin'-yeah it was!

"Cloverfield" kicked my ass six ways to Sunday. And let me tell ya, the monster.....holy shit, the monster is one scary ass thing to behold. It's huge (and it's NOT a lion!). I cannot even describe this thing....I don't even know how many legs it had! 2? 4? Was that it's arm or just it's tail? All I can say for sure is that you've NEVER EVER seen anything quite like it. Remember how badass the monster from "The Host" was? Ok, well that was a baby compared to the "Cloverfield" beastie. This thing makes Godzilla look like a salamander.

But on to the review.

"CLOVERFIELD" is basically a "found footage" film. It begins with a "Property of The United States Government" inscription, then leads into the explanation that the footage was recovered from the site designated "Cloverfield", formally Central Park. What comes next is the actual footage, an introduction to characters, and then what we all came to see: a big ass monster kicking the shit out of New York's ass.

And here's the thing: "Cloverfield" gives us time to get to know the main characters, to actually care about them, before putting their lives at risk. The first 15 minutes or so is footage from a going away party for Rob, who is leaving NY for Japan to take on a new job as VP of some company. We learn that he is in love with Beth, that his best friend, his "main guy", is Hud (our cameraman), that Hud has the hots for Marlena. We meet Jason, Rob's brother, and his uber-hot girlfriend Lily. And what's interesting to note is that in these first 15 to 20 minutes we can all find a character we can identify with....it's actually a brilliant move on the filmmakers part to give us this time to get to know our characters. We, the viewer, become emotionally attached (at least, I did...and I've heard others say the same thing).

During the party the shit hits the proverbial fan, and in a very big way. New York comes under attack from something....we never do find out what it is, where it came from, or how it got there. All we do know and see is what Hud, our cameraman, shoots. Soon our main characters are fleeing for their lives, trying to get out of Manhatten and away from whatever it is that's beating the hell out of the city. Then Rob gets a call from Beth. She's trapped and injured inside her apartment and Rob makes the decision to go and get her, no matter what the risk. He asks to go alone, but his friends will have none of it, choosing to follow him (and in the process, taking us along with them) on the rescue mission. What ensues is truly a fight for survival.

The acting is awesome in this flick, everyone giving honest and believable performances. Props goes to the cat playing Hud, who is our eyes and ears of this film, and also gives us much needed comic relief. Although some of the decisions these characters make are not exactly what I would've done in the same situation, the actors really sell their characters and their fears well, making it a more believable scenario.

But come on, you didn't come to see "Cloverfield" for the acting.....you came to see the real star, a big ass scary monster, rip shit up! You get that, oh yes, plus a little more. See, the monster has these parasites that fall off of it, these little crab looking fuckers that are as mean and cranky as the big momma monster. These crabites attack and kill and become a formidable foe on their own, giving our characters more scary situations to have to fight for their lives. Director Matt Reeves and writer Drew Goddard make the wise decision to only give us glimpses of the monster for the first 2/3 of the film....just sneak peeks, just enough to get us excited for the big reveal. And when that reveal comes, well, it ain't pretty folks. The CGI here is flawless. Flawless, I repeat. Incredible work through and through.

This is an American kaiju flick that surpasses anything anyone, in any country, in any genre, has ever done before. Forget the old Japanese kaiju's: to hell with Mothra, fuck Rodan, eat shit Godzilla. The "Cloverfield" monster owns you all.

I love this movie. Love it. Love it. LOVE IT! Can't wait to see it again, and again, and again......

Thank you, JJ Abrams. Thank you Matt Reeves. Thank you Drew Goddard. You guys have made this reviewer one very happy boy.

On the downside of things, as I mentioned, this is a handheld movie. In other words, its extremely shaky. I actually got dizzy a couple of times and had to look offscreen to regain my bearings, but I think that is the intent.....it's like a very chaotic roller coaster ride, complete with jumps and bumps, shakes and quakes, and loop-de-loops that spin your head around so quick you become somewhat disoriented -- just like our characters. It just feels real.

There are no explanations for the events. There doesn't have to be. The movie is simply a first hand account of what might happen if some big scary monster decided to take out its aggressions on New York. It ain't pretty, but it sure is fun to watch!

"Cloverfield" is that big loud summer movie that just happens to come out in winter. It has blockbuster written all over it. It works on every level. This is definitely the ultimate giant monster flick. Check it out asap. Go on. Stop reading this, jump in your car, and head out to your local theatre. Do it now. And enjoy the ride that is "Cloverfield".