The Cloverfield Paradox

When this movie got released it got bad review let, right, and center. Even I was not expecting a Cloverfield sequel to be a groundbreaking film. So I also ignored the film after putting it on watchlist.

Today I just put it on and watched it with below zero expectations and it turned out much better. It surprised me.

Firstly what I liked about this movie is the Lovecraftian vibe it had. Space, Madness, Insanity, Existential dread, horrors from other dimension (none shown in this film but discussed).

It had some pacing issues, and editing issues just overlook them (coz it is not a masterpiece. Watch it to enjoy the sci-fi). I am glad I gave it a try.

If someone had told you this was the greatest block buster of the year, or a contender to beat out Star Wars or Alien for greatest sci-fi of all time, you'd be mightily disappointed.

And coming from J.J. Abrams and stupidly having had the "Cloverfield" thing jammed into it pointlessly, anyone would reasonably be very disappointed, or if you are someone who has to over think movies you would be too.

But if you approach this like an episode of Doctor Who, or Torchwood, or some other BBC type sci-fi series, (which is what it looks like given the actors), it is fine, and if you tell someone to approach it that way they might enjoy it even you didn't.

Held my attention throughout and was a decent all round sci-fi thriller. It definitely owed a lot to Alien and Sunshine among other classics though. It didn't make a lot of sense, but neither do most films these days.

Well, about 30 minutes in and you realize why Paramount decided to release via Netflix. I don't think anyone who loved cloverfield will be particularly taken by this film. And to those people who felt cloverfield lane was a bait and switch, they will really feel betrayed by this film. The acting in this film is respectable. The effects, set and the like are fine. But the dull plot is not overcome by having a single character to care about.

If you're after a film with only big scary monsters, set in space, this is not that film.

This is a film that requires you to think and to get out of your comfort zone.

Simply put, this is a film that is based on the premise of a paradox - leading to a conclusion that seems, to many, logically unacceptable and/or self contradictory.

If you can accept this premise, become absorbed in it, and leave your mind open to something that is not logical or linear, you will enjoy this film.

When I originally watched it, my expectation was more of "Cloverfield" (2008) and "10 Cloverfield Lane" 2016. Whilst it may be set in this universe, it is anything but part of a trilogy, but it is. Is that illogical? Yes - but it's Paradox.

For some, you need to watch it more than once. When I rediscovered this film, I loved it.

The cast is fabulous and the acting is very good. The story is intriguing and the more it unfolds, the more intriguing it becomes.

This is definitely worth a watch, or three.