The film starts with a warning from the US Department of Defence stating how this is a recording found in Central Park, New York - otherwise known as Cloverfield.

The film starts with a couple recording their weekend together in a deluxe apartment, but suddenly it switches to a recording of his going away party, as recorded by his friends but mid way through the party something happens.

Following the blackout, a series of large noises rock the city culminating with the disembodied head of the Statue of Liberty landing in the street outside their studio flat.

The rest of the film tells the frantic tale of survival and heroism of the people from the party told from the point of view of an amateur filming their escape - from what turns out to be some kind of alien attack.

I must admit that when I first saw the trailer I didn't know whether it was going to be any good. It sounded like an excuse for bad camera work but it was actually quite gripping to see this kind of story from the point of view of one of the characters. Also, whenever they stop to playback the footage you get clips of the beginning of their relationship which is an interesting contrast.

see also:
District 9, Battle Los Angeles, Sunshine, Children of Men

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photo © Paramount Pictures.