Shadow in the Cloud

I read the synopsis before I realized Grace morritze is in it and I thought the premise sounded dreadful. After watching the trailer I thought I didn't have anything to lose by watching it. Turns out i lost brain cells, as it's laughably bad, so much so I had to watch it to the end, as I was incredulous and curious about wether it would improve, but it just got more odd.

I think it's meant to be 80's B movie bad, hence the heavy synth music and poor effects. I really hope that's the case as it just got weirder by the minute. Everything was poor; the script, the heavy handed misogyny, the acting (at one point Chloe reprimanded her colleagues for their remarks and she sounds like a teacher telling kids off, rather than an authoritive soldier), the effects (apart from the dog fights, they were cool), the storyline was terrible, just awful.

I really hope I missed something and this was supposed to be a homage to old camp ott 80's horror, because if not I'm concerned about everyone's career in this. I'm sure there was a message about the indomitable spirit of womanhood, "girls can do stuff now" and the lengths we will go to protect our own, despite the blatant sexism and misogyny we experience and the odds being stacked against us, but if so it was jammed right in our faces and we were bludgeoned with it.

It could also be viewed as a comedy as there are so many "oh, come on!" moments, my eyes rolled so hard they nearly popped out of my head. If you watch this do not take it seriously,, and you might just make it.

There are so many things wrong with this movie. I rolled my eyes many times. Some parts were so dumb that i had to pause the movie in order to process what happened. The entire premise is ridiculous, and so many things that happen are absurd. Whoever made this doesn't understand the most basic laws of physics. And they overdid it with the message

having said all that, i was never bored. In fact, i was invested. And there is one, let's call it, subplot. That subplot doesn't seem to fit in this movie at all. And yet it was the most stupidly entertaining aspect of the movie. (1 viewing, 6/7/2021)

Knowing nothing about it, I was mildly interesting at the introduction to the movie's premise and the competent hook, quality production and good camera-work! That is.. until it it all becomes a little too much, and ultimately crumbles into nonsense.

Seeing the name of "max landis" as one of the co-writers (alongside the female director) makes complete sense now, and should help deter anyone from even pressing Play. He's simply NOT a talented or competent screenwriter.. and the deliberate choice of elements that wrap around a poorly executed message are beyond his capability for composition. This is first and foremost a female-centric movie with a not-so-hidden agenda. Chloë Grace Moretz gives a decent performance, but the script is noticeable "handled", making it difficult to stay engaged with it.

The alternate World War context was a good setting, and being confined to a ball turret was intriguing! This is eventually abandoned, but remains the best piece of the pie.

Additionally, the film's blending of action and horror elements feels forced (like its core), and ultimately adds nothing to the overall narrative.. Specifically the cheap homage to a "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" Twilight Zone episode, with a fictional horror-monster plot that is laughably tacked-on! Specially when used as the climax of the story and as stand-in or outlet for all the lead's "venting".. I assume it probably makes sense to someone out there.

The rest of the cast is underutilized and their characters obnoxious or useless.

I'm beyond surprised this got the backing and support that it did.

Can't recommend it! Unless a fan of Chloe.. as it doesn't deliver on its potential.

Chloe Frace Moretz is very good in this role for what she is given to work with and you can definitely tell that she is an actress with a lot of range and potential. Sadly, even her performance cannot hide the poor writing.

I was completely baffled when I saw Max Landis in the writing credits. Maybe that's the reason why some parts of the script was poor.

First things first, if you complain about unbelievable things happening in a movie about gremlins attacking an airplane, you need to have your opinion license permanently revoked.

"Shadow in the Cloud" is obviously meant to be viewed as a simple comic book style rip-roaring WWII adventure to be enjoyed like a cheeseburger or a pint of ice cream and not to be deeply analyzed for plot depth and realism. The hordes of egotists falling over themselves to prove how "above it all" they are need to loosen up and switch to decaff. Yes, absolutely ludicrous things happen in this movie, and that's what makes it fun! Is everyone really so hopped up on dopamine from constantly scrolling through social media that they can't let go and enjoy a zany movie?

Chloe Moretz' performance was captivating and thrilling from start to finish. These are the kind of roles she was born to play and it was clear that she had an absolute blast making the movie. The rest of the cast were clearly there to be functional, forgettable cardboard cutouts, and the energy of the movie would have suffered if they'd been directed to draw attention away from the main character.

I'm confident that in a decade this movie will be found on film lists under the heading "Cult movies that were despised on release". I'd love to see a sequel!