Friday, March 17, 2017

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Introduction:

When I watched Cloverfield back in 2008 I didn’t say “Wow that was great. It really needs a sequel.” Luckily this movie isn’t a sequel to the previous film. Instead it tells a very different type of story that may be linked to the events in the previous film. Instead of people in terror of a giant mutated rampaging monster, you have people in terror of a giant rampaging John Goodman.

Summary:

Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) gets into a car accident and is knocked unconscious. When she comes to, she finds herself completely unfamiliar place, not a hospital, but what looks like a bunker or bomb shelter with very thick walls and full air filtering system.

Turns out this bunker is owned by Howard (John Goodman) who tells Michelle that some kind of horrible event has occurred above ground contaminating everything. He found her on the side of the road and brought her to safety. Along with Howard is Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) a young man who seems to be hiding something. It becomes apparent to Michelle that Howard may be unstable and could be lying to her. She has to decide to either believe this stranger, or to attempt to make a break for freedom into a world that may be in the midst of apocalypse.

Good Points:
  • Masterfully guides the viewer along a very tense journey
  • Some top notch acting that pulls you into the story
  • A bang up score by Bear McCreary 

Bad Points:
  • Expecting over the top visual effects and massive destruction – you’ll be disappointed.
  • Takes place almost entirely in one location that could bore some viewers
  • The movie climaxes perfectly and then there is the epilogue… yeah that was odd

Overall:

If you enjoy a good solid thriller that focuses on tension and acting than you can’t go wrong here. The concept is pretty simple, but the cast and direction keep things moving briskly and intensely. McCreary’s score supports the film wonderfully. The only misstep is the epilogue that will really rub some viewers the wrong way. Probably the best thriller I’ve seen since GrandPiano, but this one has a much different feel.

Scores (out of 5)
Visuals: 5
Sound: 4
Acting: 5
Script: 4
Music: 5
Direction: 4
Entertainment: 5
Total:  5

Curious about a full review, sent me an email and I’ll make additional thoughts to this review.


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4 comments:

  1. I really didn't care much for Cloverfield. One strike against it was the found footage or shaky cam or whatever it's called. That technique is way overused, and personally I'll be glad when it dies.

    10 Cloverfield Lane I like a lot more. The ending or epilogue didn't bother me. The set up and overall story worked for me. Probably no matter how it ended there would have been some negative criticism. It left me wondering what happened to the young woman after the ending.

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    1. We revisited "Cloverfield" shortly after viewing this and I think it still holds up pretty well. But yeah that shakeycam is pretty overt. I think it works OK for "Cloverfield", but it could have been toned down a bit. All in all not a bad monster movie at all.

      I will say I enjoyed "Cloverfield Lane" more too. The action really worked so well. Goodman can go from big awkward teddy bear to fearsome berserk nutter so easily, but convincingly. It really makes keeps you guess at what is going on.

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  2. With some people you have to ask yourself just how bad an apocalypse has to be before it is worth it to hunker in the bunker with them. I haven't seen this one, but it sounds worth a peek.

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    1. Yeah definitely check this one out. It is really put together well. Good for some weekend thrills.

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