Cloverfield (DVD)

Okay, the gimmick has run its course on Cloverfield, and there is no need to blow this DVD release out of proportion. This is not to say that I no longer think Cloverfield is a satisfying film, because it is, but the mystery has been revealed and we all know how it goes down and that hurts repeated viewings. However, this DVD release comes equipped with some very satisfying special features, which should make it a good rental, but there is no reason to actually buy it.

The official running time on the feature is 84 minutes, but the first 18 (which I skipped right over) are all character development and the last eight are credits. That means the meat of this film, and what you actually want to watch, boils down to 58 minutes of movie, hardly worth your money, and only necessary to watch once.

Special features are the real draw here if you are a fan of the film and its effects or making-of features in general. Just about every instance featuring the monster is given the making-of treatment, which also gives you some great looks at the monster without all the lighting effects, which means shadows aren't hiding the image and you get a really good look at the design of the creature. After all the green screen work we have witnessed in such films as Sin City and 300 you would think the effects featurette would be a bore, but all three of these films are unique and Cloverfield especially gives folks a good look at how to make a rather large feeling film on a rather small budget.

There are a couple of alternate endings that are already circulating the Internet and they really add nothing to the film and aren't even really worth the watch, and neither are the deleted scenes or Matt Reeves's commentary. The making of featurette and the documentary are the biggest draws here, especially if you have already seen the movie.

Cloverfield was best seen in the theater when anticipation was at its highest. It remains a monster movie I recommend movie fans see at least once, but beyond that I can't imagine anyone returning to watch it all that often, if ever.