Cloverfield - big, scary, and out of focus

Cloverfield has been billed as Godzilla meets The Blair Witch Project, and it’s time for the verdict - can this big-budget beast successfully combine blockbuster action with mystery and horror?

The formula seemed perfect: the kind of city-stomping blockbuster action seen in Godzilla (with 21st Century special effects, naturally), and the anxious, hand-held camera viewpoints which made The Blair Witch Project a cult smash.

Atmospheric teaser trailers gave very little away save for a few ominous, unsettling images including the now-famous view of the Statue of Liberty’s severed head landing in the street (itself poached from classic flick Escape From New York).

Unfortunately, Cloverfield’s execution doesn’t quite match up to its potential. While the story is certainly noteworthy, our reporter was left with a distinct feeling that the promising idea had not been used to full effect.

Tragically, one of the film’s main talking points - the use of hand-held cameras - works against the film. The sense of confusion and panic it generates is undeniable, but the overall effect is more headache-inducing than dramatic. In addition, the camerawork overshadows some excellent performances from a talented cast more familiar to TV viewers than moviegoers.

It was always going to be difficult for Cloverfield to live up to its immense hype, and while the end result falls slightly short of the potential, an enjoyable ending leaves plenty of scope for a sequel. It won’t leave you pondering life’s big questions or inspire you to change the world, but it’s not trying to - after all, it’s a big-screen blockbuster. And they don’t come much bigger than this.