Directed by : Dan Trachtenberg
Written by : Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, Damien Chazelle
Starring : Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.
Release Date : March 10, 2016
The issue with a movie like "10 Cloverfield Lane" is that it relies a lot on secrets. It expects people going into it to have preconceived notions on what it's about, then takes advantage of that fact. Because of the secrecy, there's a lot of obstacles that needs to be addressed in order to write this spoiler-free review. Explaining the title of the movie is arguably a spoiler. Explaining the premise is arguably a spoiler. Explaining who these characters are is arguably a spoiler. Even the trailer for the movie does it's best towing that fine line as well.
This film definitely plays with being mysterious throughout, and that's likely influenced by Producer J.J. Abrams' "mystery box" story telling technique. That is part of the fun though, although some might consider it frustrating. From the get-go, the story only teases us on what's going on, by showing us a suspenseful and alarming sequence, that's straight out of a genre thriller. It allows us to use our own imagination on what's transpiring, before it provides an explanation. Then insert the next scene of story exposition, and character development, before moving on to the next suspenseful sequence. Repeat throughout.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is our surrogate character who is uncovering the mystery along with us, and does a great job playing the role of someone put in a confusing situation. John Goodman is fantastic as the person who seems to know the answers to what's going on, but also comes off as a highly suspicious character. John Gallagher Jr is pretty much the designated comic relief of the cast, and while some funny moments do exist, the movie isn't completely filled with them. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, he does a great job of keeping us invested into wondering where this story is taking us, via conventional and unconventional plot points.
I'm afraid to say that there will be people that will be disappointed with "10 Cloverfield Lane" and it's likely not going to be because of the movie itself, but because of expectations. As a suspenseful mystery thriller, I thought it did as good a job as it needed to be, even with the fact that it purposefully tries to manipulate our emotions and assumptions.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
