Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Arts & Society

Media Credit: Paramount Pictures "Cloverfield" is the newest monster movie release. What makes it unique is that it exemplifies the technology dependent youth generation in the fact that every moment is documented by the characters, from the very first party scene.

J.J. Abrams has created the quintessential monster movie, if not the defining movie, of our generation.

If you didn't see the mysterious, nameless movie trailer before "Transformers" this summer or haven't been sucked into the online frenzy over the film, hurry to a computer and watch a trailer now. "Cloverfield" is unconventional homage to '50s monster movies through the perspective of the post Sept. 11 generation's home video camera. The film follows a group of 20-somethings as they celebrate their friend's job promotion by giving him a surprise party. While the film starts out with typical boy-girl relationship drama, the film takes a horrific turn as an explosion happens in the middle of Manhattan. Chaos ensues as party goers struggle to understand what is going on. The remainder of the film follows a small group of four as they risk their lives to save their friend who is trapped uptown.

One of the problems with monster movies of our generation is that we are so desensitized by images of violence and imagery that it is very difficult to suspend our belief enough to actually be frightened. Abrams breaks down this barrier and taps into our fear using two methods: first person perspective and Sept. 11 imagery.

By having the entire film shot in what people are calling "Blairwitch" style, the viewer feels like they are actually there. This is similar to a Universal Studios simulator or a video game. When the camera creeps around the corner to sneak a peek of the monster, you are immersed into the minds of the people experiencing this fear. But is it a monster? How can that be relatable? Abrams fixes this by preying on America's taboo and vulnerable images of Sept. 11. Buildings crumble in a cloud of smoke that shoots through the streets as people run in terror. American flags are ultra present in the film. Even the movie poster is a direct reference to the famous photograph of the Statue of Liberty overlooking a smoke ridden Manhattan.

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