Cloverfield + Star Trek trailer RxN
Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 10:38PM *There may be spoilers in this article...read at your own risk*
Last night I watched Cloverfield, a movie that was supposed to be the next Blair Witch Project. The only problem with such a concept is that once you have seen BWP, there is much less wonder left to first person accounts of the supernatural, or in this case, extraterrestrial.
Let's start with the casting. There was not one character I related with, making me care less if any of them were victim to E.T. gone bad. Everyone seemed like an actor in a traditional movie, but with just really cruddy camera work. Also, if I were in a life threatening situation, I would most likely leave the camera behind and save my ass. Just a thought.
Ah, then there was the anticipated monster. Was that creature supposed to be frightening? It looked like a cross between Predator and a turd, making it almost laughable to see the terror. The U.S. armed forces seemed inadequate, and I really hope we would have better strategy when Mr.Hanky's oversized cousin would attack Manhattan.
I liked the movie better when it was called War of the Worlds, and could care less about losing the 80+ minutes to watch Cloverfield. There is a bigger issue at hand; This is the guy who's directing Star Trek XI? Sure, the preview was decent with echoes of the past and glimpses of the new (er..old?) ship, but I am afraid that Abrams will botch up one of my favorite movie franchises. What do you think...can Abrams go from Cloverdisaster to an epic adaptation of Star Trek?
TV/Film
Reader Comments (8)
I've never seen the greatness in JJ Abrams work. He isn't a hack by any means but he isn't spectacular either. I had my reservations about Cloverfield since day one and from what you've said they were correct. I love the Star Trek universe but you have to admit the movies have been a hit or miss affair. He could very well make an excellent Star Trek film or try to reinvent the wheel and screw it all up. As the details begin to be released it should become pretty clear if he is going to screw up again.
I do like the new Star Trek cast in that they look like I imagine they might have, but overall, I'm pretty sure that there isn't a single person amongst it that has proven they have any ability to act. You combine that with the fact that they are supposed to be playing the most famous ST cast (I liked Kirk's recklessness and rediculous space-macho attitude better than Picard's quiet contemplativeness) and you have a disaster in the making.
Then you factor in the Odd Even Star Trek Movie Rule...and yeah, things aren't looking good... :(
I personally thought the US forces were adequate - RPGs in minutes and tanks soon after.
I personally loved the movie - but each to their own though.
I haven't seen Cloverfield yet but I think one thing to keep in mind is the JJ Abrams only produced it - he didn't direct it. I must admit I am a huge Lostie (a show which Abrams writes for occasionally and also produces) but I never really like Alias. The guy who DID direct Cloverfield has (with the exception of the Pallbearer - starring David Schwimmer & Gwyneth Paltrow back in 1996) only ever directed TV shows.
Cloverfield was a colossal waste of my $9. Extremely thin plot, disappointing monster and the camera work literally made me queasy. BIG disappointment!
JJ Abrahms got good ideas, Lost, MI3, Alias. He didn't direct cloverfeild, the who created felicty did. Thats why it was ok. JJ abrahms will probably do star trek justice. Although Star trek Sucks ass....
Why is Cloverfield such huge thing that they are everywhere - heard, seen, even though movie is presently not releasing in India.
I didn't think Cloverfield was awful and Abrahms has given us Lost and Alias which I love. I've never seen the ST movies but the teaser did get me a little excited and now I might join your super geekdom and actually want ST.