Reviewed by Max Foizey.

Release Date: January 18, 2008
Directed By: Matt Reeves
Starring: Michael Stahl-David, T.J. Miller, Lizzy Caplan
Rating: PG-13

Following the path pioneered by the online phenoms "Snakes on a Plane" and "The Blair Witch Project," the buzz surrounding "Cloverfield" started a good six months before the film would be released. Indeed, it started before the film even had a title.

Audiences who watched Michael Bay's insipid "Transformers," saw a short but very effective trailer before the feature film, featuring a bunch of rich kids throwing a going-away party for their friend Rob. When Rob's shindig is interrupted by screams, explosions, and the newly-severed head of the Statue of Liberty, crowds went wild. When the trailer ended not with a title card but only a release date (1-18-08), it was the internet's turn to scream and explode.

Soon everyone and their mama (and me) were on the interwebs posting theories on WHAT exactly was going on in the trailer. Was it a monster? A space alien? Cthulhu? VOLTRON? (Hint: it's not Voltron.)

Then the 'working title' "Cloverfield" was revealed to be the real title of the film - just what did it mean? What connection did it have to the monster? What is the monster? What is the deal with all the crazy fake websites with crazy fake "Cloverfield" news stories online? What the heck is SLUSHO and why can't you just drink six?

With the webernets full of more guessing than a game show, many false leads cropped up, and it was clear people were hooked. Being one of the fish on the viral marketing line, I was ready for a letdown when I sat down for the actual film.

Thankfully I got exactly what was promised (giant monster destroys city) and I couldn't have been happier. To sum it up in one word (something my reviews never manage to do): FUN. This is one fun flick.

At the outset, we meet Rob (Michael Stahl-David), his pal Hud (our cameraman/comic relief T.J. Miller) and too-cool-for-school-but-not-mascara Marlena (Lizzy Caplan, a standout in a sea of new faces). There is some back-story of love and loss and other such things, but what you're waiting for doesn't take long to arrive. And when it does, you'll know. Because the city gets demolished.

What will happen to our spoiled rich kids? (They will run from the monster.) Will we start caring about them in spite of ourselves? (Yes.) Will the monster be defeated? (Not telling.) So what does "Cloverfield" mean? Where does the monster come from? Hmmm. We may have to wait for part two for those answers. (Or at the very least, the DVD.)

Not only is this a fun rollercoaster ride, but there are plenty of surprises around every corner, and the monster itself if unlike anything you've seen before. Big kudos to the design team for giving us something new.

Be warned that there are no practical cameras used in the movie, everything is P.O.V. HandyCam. So if you're prone to motion sickness, bring a brown bag, or at least buy your own bag of popcorn. And I'm not sitting next to you.

Much of the success of this film is no doubt owed to super-producer J.J. Abrams, he of "Lost," "Mission: Impossible 3," and - um, "Felicity" fame. He knows how to spin a web of intrigue, and he also knows the SOUND of an explosion is just as important as the visual aspect. "M:I 3" featured great sound effects, and "Cloverfield" is no less impressive.

But let's not forget this is director Matt Reeves' film, and it's a solid first effort. Let's hope they bring him back for "Cloverfield 2: Clovie Goes to Ohio." And I really hope there is a sequel, especially if it wasn't all shaky-cam like this one. There is a big story left to tell, and I think audiences are game.

So let's get the interblogs started with some rumors, eh? From what I hear, part two opens up with Clovie (That's what I lovingly call the monster) leaving the Big Apple and heading to Ohio, as the soundtrack blares the Pretenders classic "My City Was Gone." Go Clovie, GO!

In addition to hosting 'Max on Movies' every Saturday at 2pm on 97.1 FM Talk, Max appears weekly on the Dave Glover Show Fridays at 5pm. A member of the Saint Louis Gateway Film Critics Association, Max has appeared on nationally syndicated radio shows, and written about film for various print and online media. Once and for all, the dude in the trailer is NOT saying "It's a LION, it's HUGE!" Although seeing a huge-ass lion attacking a major metropolitan city would be cool too. E-mail him at mfoizey@stl.emmis.com