this post was submitted on 11 Jun 2024
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I think the mundane perspective and ordinary characters were meant to ground the movie. Most kaiju movies follow elite scientists or squads of soldiers so it's a bit easier to relate to regular people just bumbling around (and a lot cheaper to film). Found footage stuff seems to be real hit or miss for people though. I definitely understand the desire for more spectacle and a more likeable cast.
See, this is what got me into the theater for Cloverfield, I wanted this movie. It's a bummer I got it in the form of some particularly jittery found footage. I was hoping for something more akin to those goofy disaster movies, but the disaster is a kaiju; not just in tone, but in how it was shot. As you say, some more spectacle would have gone a long way. That, or to really drill down and get into the "human horror" aspect and maybe make the military/authority figures more antagonistic.
All in all, I guess I'm glad Cloverfield succeeded despite my personal feelings because we got 10 Cloverfield Lane which, while not without problems of its own, I enjoyed much more
10 Cloverfield Lane is definitely an overall better film. Man I should watch that one again.
Also I just remembered that The Cloverfield Paradox exists which I had completely forgotten about. That one was a total mess which is a bummer because the overall premise is in my wheelhouse and I love me some good space horror. I'll just watch Event Horizon instead.