beckenham, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 27/02/2018 11:13 AMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: When a group of scientsits try to find a solution to an energy crisis. They end up facing a dark alternate reality.

    I think enough of you are aware of my love for the Cloverfield franchise. The excitement and intrigue going around at the start of 2008 for this film was positively unprecedented. They created the perfect way of presenting a trailer. It explained very little, and got plenty of bums on seats.

    The first film was a pretty spectacular experience and made great use of the found-footage concept. I still remember getting minor motion sickness during one particular scene on top of a building. That still did not detract my overall enjoyment of this gripping sci-fi thriller.

    The next installment of 10 Cloverfield Lane was more of the same. A great trailer, with many tense moments and yet showed very little on what the story is about. It ended being a pretty tense and fun feature with an exceptional performance by John Goodman.

    Now we have a third part, and it continues to break ground in the way of marketing a film release. Not only did they tell very little about this film in the build-up, they released the film one day after showing us the first trailer during the Super Bowl.

    While that got me and many others excited, finding out that this is a Netflix release gave me concerns. Apart from a few exceptions including the brilliant Beasts Of No Nation, major Netflix original feature film releases have not a critical success. That being said, it's a Cloverfield film, I was stoked.

    Now that I've seen it, I can totally see why it was put onto Netflix. There is plenty to get out of it. But it seems that it never had one clear story that it wanted to tell.

    It starts with an interesting premise and I was impressed at the ensemble cast that I was seeing. The more obscure it went, the more interested I was, despite not everything making sense from a story-telling point of view. The close we got to the finale, the more I could see the Cloverfield tie-ins that the trailers were promising.

    However, the very final scene had me confused and kind of expecting it. It was the moment that reminded of the ending to '10 Cloverfield Lane' i.e. they found a mediocre film and then did some re-shoots to make it a Cloverfield film. But after my initial reaction, I have a theory that can defend what I saw on screen, and now I feel more at ease. I don't think it was helped by the CGI being noticeably sub-standard either.

    As I said before, the cast was pretty strong in its depth and the performances were pretty solid on the whole as well. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is the central character and she continues to show that she is a highly talented actor. She carried the film well and had many good moments to shine on screen.

    The standouts from the supporting cast were Chris O'Dowd who did his usual shtick that gave the film enough soft comedic relief. While David Oyelowo and Daniel Bruhl did nothing spectacular, their presence I think was necessary to give it some credentials.

    Elizabeth Debicki was a nice addition and did some good stuff, particularly in the second half, and it was great seeing Ziyi Zhang again. Most of you will know her from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', 'House Of Flying Daggers' or even 'Rush Hour 2'. The last time I saw here was probably in 'The Grandmaster' back in 2014.

    The production design was pretty good. Outside of the very final scene, the CGI looked good. It mixed in well with the impressive practical sets.

    The score in Cloverfield films are usually all right and go out on a high with a brilliant end credits suite. This one is no different like the others, I will listen to the end credits suite form some time.

    Once seeing it, I think you will find big similarities with Life, Interstellar and various sci-fi TV series. With Life being mentioned, you will notice a lot of tropes you get with many sci-fi horrors. I didn't mind them as they did not make feel it generic.

    To summarize, this franchise in some ways continues to show films that are totally different each time in terms of its genre, tone and presentation. The marketing is once again right on the money and I love how different they are every time.

    However in terms of quality, this was probably the lowest. It's most certainly the weakest of the three, and that is mainly to do with the writing and flawed story. But there is plenty of content to keep you interested throughout, it has a break-neck pace which adds to the excitement, the performances are solid and the imagination and mythology it has is interesting to see being used and explored.

    I think the biggest problem people will have with it is that it seemed unclear with its message. You can see a whole bunch of things it's trying to say. But it does not have one clear course that it's to keep on track with.

    As a standalone film, it's a perfectly functional sci-fi thriller with enough excitement in its set-pieces and interesting ideas to be passable viewing. But as a Cloverfield film that was being marketed to bridge the gap between the previous two, it manages to confuse you even more. I think like '10 Cloverfield Lane', it was not intentionally being made as a Cloverfield film. But it got picked up by the right people and made a few alterations to try and make it tie-in with the franchise.

    There will be many fan theories to support or hinder this franchise, and it will be interesting where they go with this in the next installment. I was not disappointed with the film, and yet at the same time I did not feel satisfied.

    It has plenty of problems, but all of them are honorable in terms of what they were exploring.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Beckenham / London
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Beckenham



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
beckenhambeckenham News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
beckenham Bathroom Suppliesbeckenham Bathroom Tapsbeckenham Bathroom Furniturebeckenham Bathroom Showersbeckenham Shower Enclosuresbeckenham Bathsbeckenham L Shaped Bathbeckenham P Shaped Bathbeckenham Wet Roomsbeckenham Bath Screensbeckenham Bath Mixer Tapbeckenham Bidet Tapsbeckenham Toilet Seatsbeckenham Sanitarywarebeckenham Combined Toilet Basinbeckenham Stovesbeckenham Wood Stovesbeckenham Home Stovesbeckenham Cooker Stovesbeckenham Enamel Stovesbeckenham Designer Stovesbeckenham Contemporary Stovesbeckenham Multi Fuel Stovesbeckenham Accounts Softwarebeckenham Sage Softwarebeckenham Sage Line 50beckenham Sage Line 200beckenham Pegasus Accountsbeckenham Access Accountsbeckenham Car Servicingbeckenham MOTgbeckenham Tyresbeckenham Car Batterybeckenham Exhaustbeckenham Journalist Jobsbeckenham Reporter Jobsbeckenham Writing Jobsbeckenham Freelance Writerbeckenham Self Employed Jobsbeckenham Franchise Businessbeckenham Franchise Opportunitiesbeckenham Driving Schoolsbeckenham Driving Lessonsbeckenham Driving Testbeckenham Driving Theory Testbeckenham Driving Instruction, 0000 beckenham Driving Instructor, 0000 beckenham Insolvencybeckenham Insolvency Servicebeckenham Insolvency Servicesbeckenham Liquidation Servicebeckenham Business Recoverybeckenham Insolvency Practitionerbeckenham Bankruptcy Servicebeckenham Winding Up Petitionbeckenham Business Financebeckenham Business Recoverybeckenham Voluntary Arrangementbeckenham Individual Voluntary Arrangementbeckenham IVAbeckenham Debt Advicebeckenham Debt Managementbeckenham Company Administrationbeckenham Administrationbeckenham Corporate Recoverybeckenham Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbeckenham CVAbeckenham Corporate Insolvencybeckenham Corporate Liquidationbeckenham Members Voluntary Liquidationbeckenham MVLbeckenham Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbeckenham PVAbeckenham Tax Demandbeckenham Invoice Financebeckenham Bridging Financebeckenham Vouchersbeckenham Dealsbeckenham Matalanbeckenham Firewoodbeckenham Fire Woodbeckenham Kiln Dried Hardwoodbeckenham Logs For Salebeckenham Log Suppliesbeckenham Logsbeckenham Firewood Logsbeckenham Seasoned Logsbeckenham Hardwood Logsbeckenham Firewood Suppliersbeckenham Firewood Log Suppliersbeckenham Firewood Dumpy Bagsbeckenham Firewood Cratesbeckenham Cheap Firewoodbeckenham Homefire Logsbeckenham Cheap Firewood Logsbeckenham Kindle Conesbeckenham Pizza Oven Logsbeckenham Heating Oilbeckenham Home Heating Oilbeckenham Red Dieselbeckenham White Dieselbeckenham Keresenebeckenham Commercial Fuelsbeckenham Calor Gasbeckenham Propane Gasbeckenham Butane Gasbeckenham Heating Gasbeckenham Horse Trainingbeckenham Horse Trainerbeckenham Horse Whispererbeckenham Equine Whispererbeckenham Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbeckenham Rattan Garden Furniturebeckenham Rattan Furniturebeckenham Rattan Sofabeckenham Rattan Dining Setbeckenham Rattan Directbeckenham Cheap Rattan Furniturebeckenham Rattan Corner Sofasbeckenham Rattan Day Bedsbeckenham Rattan Sun Loungersbeckenham Rattan Cube Setsbeckenham Rattan Bistro Setsbeckenham Chimeneasbeckenham Firepitsbeckenham Patio Heatersbeckenham Card Payments Processingbeckenham Credit Card Processingbeckenham Merchant Servicesbeckenham Merchant Accountbeckenham Merchant Paymentsbeckenham Card Machinesbeckenham Card Terminalsbeckenham Online Paymentsbeckenham Worldpaybeckenham Bouncy Castlesbeckenham Bouncy Castle Hirebeckenham Garden Trampolinesbeckenham Pramsbeckenham Pushchairsbeckenham Strollersbeckenham Hauck Pramsbeckenham Huackbeckenham Childrens Trampolinesbeckenham Baby Mobilesbeckenham Baby Activity Matsbeckenham Baby Bedroom Furniturebeckenham Childrens Bedroom Furniturebeckenham Hygiene Vendingbeckenham Washroom Vendingbeckenham Air Freshenersbeckenham Air Carebeckenham Aerosol Systemsbeckenham Gel Systemsbeckenham Water Savingbeckenham Urinal Water Savingbeckenham Eco Capsbeckenham Sensaflushbeckenham Water Managementbeckenham Urinal Dosingbeckenham Urinal V Screensbeckenham Legionella Risk Assessmentbeckenham Legionaires Bacterialbeckenham Odour Controlbeckenham Odour Eliminationbeckenham Odour Removalbeckenham Airsterilbeckenham Hand Carebeckenham Hand Creambeckenham Hand Soapbeckenham Hand Washingbeckenham Hand Dryingbeckenham Hand Dryersbeckenham Electric Hand Dryersbeckenham Fast Hand Dryersbeckenham Commercial Hand Dryersbeckenham Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbeckenham Hand Dryer Rentalbeckenham Hand Dryer Salesbeckenham Paper Towelsbeckenham Roller Towelsbeckenham Cotton Roller Towelsbeckenham Blue Roller Towelsbeckenham White Roller Towelsbeckenham Janitorial Suppliesbeckenham Janitorialbeckenham Cleaning Suppliesbeckenham Cleaning Productsbeckenham Cleaning Equipmentbeckenham Office Cleaningbeckenham Home Cleaningbeckenham Debt Recovery Servicesbeckenham Debt Recoverybeckenham Debt Collectionbeckenham Outsource Credit Controlbeckenham Collection Agencybeckenham Debt Collection Agencybeckenham Commercial Canopybeckenham Steel Canopybeckenham Bike Shedsbeckenham Bike Storagebeckenham Bicycle Storebeckenham Bicycle Storagebeckenham Bikes Storebeckenham Bike Storebeckenham Outdoor Canopybeckenham Cycle Sheltersbeckenham Cycle Shedbeckenham Cycle Storagebeckenham Cycle Rackbeckenham Cycle Compoundbeckenham Cycle Solutionsbeckenham Scooter Storagebeckenham Scooter Shelterbeckenham Canopiesbeckenham Canopybeckenham Play Area Canopybeckenham Entrance Canopiesbeckenham Entrance Canopybeckenham Waiting Shelterbeckenham Smoking Shelterbeckenham Parent Waiting Shelterbeckenham Parent Shelterbeckenham Teen Shelterbeckenham Nursery Canopybeckenham School Canopybeckenham Play Canopybeckenham Envirolawnbeckenham Astroturfbeckenham Cheap Astroturfbeckenham Artificial Grassbeckenham Cheap Artificial Grassbeckenham Astro Turfbeckenham Artificial Lawnbeckenham Fake Grassbeckenham Fake Lawnbeckenham Fire Stove Glassbeckenham Heat Resistant Glassbeckenham Fire Glassbeckenham Stove Glassbeckenham Fire Resistant Glassbeckenham Replacement Stove Glassbeckenham Glass For Stovesbeckenham Spill Kitsbeckenham Spill Control Kitsbeckenham Spill Kit Refillsbeckenham Spill Kit Refill GK6beckenham Chemical Spill Kitsbeckenham Oil Spill Kitsbeckenham Solar Panelsbeckenham Solar Panels Costbeckenham Solar Heatingbeckenham Solar PVbeckenham Commercial Solarbeckenham Photovoltaicbeckenham Dust Matsbeckenham Entrance Matsbeckenham Reception Matsbeckenham Anti Fatigue Matsbeckenham Floor Matsbeckenham Logo Matsbeckenham Washroom Servicesbeckenham Principal Washroomsbeckenham Washrooms Suppliesbeckenham Washrooms Solutionsbeckenham Sanitary Disposalbeckenham Sanitary Binsbeckenham Sani Binsbeckenham Lady Binsbeckenham Feminine Hygiene Unitsbeckenham Sanitary Waste Disposalbeckenham Sanitary Wastebeckenham Sanitary Unitsbeckenham Feminine Unitsbeckenham Hygiene Servicesbeckenham Sanitary Bin Supplierbeckenham Sanitary Bin Rentalbeckenham Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbeckenham General Wastebeckenham Trade Wastebeckenham Commercial Wastebeckenham Business Wastebeckenham Waste Managementbeckenham Waste Collectionbeckenham Cardboard Wastebeckenham Paper Wastebeckenham Plastic Wastebeckenham Glass Wastebeckenham Biomass Wastebeckenham Metal Wastebeckenham Confidential Wastebeckenham Confidential Waste Servicebeckenham On Site Shreddingbeckenham Off Site Shreddingbeckenham One Off Shreddingbeckenham Contract Shreddingbeckenham Dental Wastebeckenham Dental Waste Disposalbeckenham Dental Waste Legislationbeckenham Dental Waste Compliancebeckenham Accupuncture Wastebeckenham Accupuncture Waste Disposalbeckenham Accupuncture Waste Collectionbeckenham Tattoo Wastebeckenham Tattoo Waste Disposalbeckenham Sharps Binbeckenham Sharps Collectionbeckenham Hazardous Sharpsbeckenham Non Hazardous Sharpsbeckenham Cytotoxic Sharpsbeckenham Cytostatic Sharpsbeckenham Ink Blockbeckenham Wet_Wastebeckenham Tattoo Inkbeckenham Drug Destructionbeckenham Drug Disposalbeckenham Drug Denaturingbeckenham Unwanted Drugsbeckenham Out Of Date Drugsbeckenham Pest Controlbeckenham Rodent Controlbeckenham Bird Controlbeckenham Bird Proofingbeckenham Guano Controlbeckenham Pest Call Outbeckenham Pest Preventionbeckenham Pest Deterrentbeckenham Nursery Wastebeckenham Nappy Wastebeckenham Nappy Binbeckenham Nappy Disposalbeckenham Nappy Wheelie Binbeckenham Nursery Waste Disposalbeckenham Nursery Waste Collectionbeckenham Incontinence Padsbeckenham Offensive Wastebeckenham Human Wastebeckenham Nursing Home Wastebeckenham Care Home Wastebeckenham Hazardous Wastebeckenham Infectous Wastebeckenham Pharmaceutical Wastebeckenham Medicinal Wastebeckenham Medicine Wastebeckenham Infection Controlbeckenham Hand Sanitisersbeckenham Clinical Waste Disposalbeckenham Clinical Waste Managementbeckenham Clinical Waste Policybeckenham EA Registrationbeckenham Hammocksbeckenham Garden Hammocksbeckenham Adult Hammocksbeckenham Childrens Hammocksbeckenham Baby Hammocks