Why Cloverfield Is the Greatest Monster Movie Ever Made

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It’s quite possible that I could be mistaken, but I strongly believe that no one else on this site has shown as much enthusiasm or knowledge about Godzilla as I have.

Without a doubt, I’ve immersed myself deeply in the world of Godzilla. I’ve evaluated each era, debated his greatest adversaries, and even experienced a Godzilla show projected onto a building in Tokyo. If there are others who have written more about Godzilla, then it’s safe to say that my dedication is incredibly close.

Despite having watched every Godzilla film, including the animated ones, and considering him to be my favorite kaiju by a long shot, I would still maintain that the greatest monster movie ever made is the 2008 production titled Cloverfield. Here’s why I hold this belief.

Even though Godzilla is my top pick among all kaiju movies, I believe that the best monster movie of all time is the 2008 film called Cloverfield. Let me explain why.

It Truly Feels Like What It Would Actually Be Like To Experience A Giant Monster Attack

From my perspective, it seems that in most Godzilla movies, the camera often zeroes in quite a bit on him – or her, if we’re considering the 1998 version where he was referred to as “him” and even laid eggs. Despite this, I must admit that I find these films incredibly enjoyable.

In some instances, films like “Shin Godzilla,” “Godzilla Minus One,” and those within the MonsterVerse, prioritize a closer perspective as opposed to sweeping, grandiose shots. However, more often than not, we witness vast panoramas of Godzilla strolling through buildings, crumbling castles, and treading on tanks. While these scenes emphasize the colossal scale of Godzilla, they sometimes overshadow the human element that is integral to many of his films.

In contrast to many films, Cloverfield is uniquely set on ground level, offering a perspective that’s characteristic of its found-footage horror genre. This means we’re witnessing raw, unedited footage of an extraordinary event. As with most found footage movies, you need to stretch your disbelief at times, as scenes may make you think, “Forget the camera and run for your life!

Instead, there’s an intensely realistic feeling when viewing the movie from this angle. It’s as if you’re right alongside the characters, sharing their terror as they face the monster attack together with everyone else.

Indeed, this human aspect plays a crucial role in the kaiju film. In fact, the director of Godzilla Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki, learned some techniques from watching Cloverfield when creating his own monster movie. That’s because Cloverfield is authentic and effectively portrays the terrifying existential dread that would ensue if a mysterious creature began wreaking havoc on our planet.

The Fear And Panic Never Lets Up Once It Gets Started

One distinctive feature that sets Cloverfield apart from other monster movies is its unrelenting pace, as it maintains an intense momentum throughout the film.

As a passionate cinephile, let me tell you this: There’s nothing mundane about the narrative in Cloverfield. You won’t find any war room discussions on strategies to combat monstrous kaijus, tedious chats about people’s everyday lives, or family business that might make your eyes glaze over. Instead, when the booms start echoing across the screen in Cloverfield, it’s game on! The movie takes off like a rocket.

The handheld footage style significantly enhances the story here, as it allows us to experience events exclusively through the camera operator’s viewpoint. Consequently, we are left in the dark about the military’s opinion on the situation or scientists’ analysis of the creature. In fact, our only glimpses of the military involve them deploying tanks and firing weapons in city streets.

The terror remains unabated all through the movie. Collapsing bridges and bizarre spider-like creatures make an appearance, yet the general sense of alarm continues to linger.

Relentlessly, the dread never fades throughout the film. Scenes of bridge collapses and eerie spider monsters emerge, but the widespread fear lingers on.

I appreciate it when monster movies maintain an emphasis on action and suspense rather than slowing down the pace. I adore kaiju tales, but some of them are excessively slow (like Godzilla Singular Point).

The Cloverfield Monster Is Scarier Than Godzilla

As the title indicates, I’m an ardent admirer of Godzilla. My affection for the Titan of Terror is profound, and one of my most joyous experiences was encountering Haruo Nakajima (RIP) at Comic-Con, whom I had the pleasure of getting to autograph a photograph. I AM A GODZILLA ENTHUSIAST!

Nevertheless, Godzilla doesn’t seem particularly frightening to me. This might be due to the numerous variations of him I’ve encountered over the years, some of which were quite amusing.

Indeed, certain iterations of Godzilla have undeniably been downright petrifying, with the one portrayed in “Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” perhaps being the most bone-chilling version to date. However, for the greater part, Godzilla has consistently been more of an iconic figure than a truly frightening one.

Well, that’s alright! Indeed, I share your preference for the formidable, “malicious” Godzilla, but let me clarify, I don’t tune in to Godzilla films to be scared witless. Instead, I enjoy them primarily to witness the havoc he unleashes.

In the film Cloverfield, the monster is a true source of nightmares. One aspect I appreciate about him is his scarcity – he’s usually shrouded in darkness or dashing past structures. The fact that the movie primarily takes place at night only heightens the mystery around his appearance. When we do catch a glimpse of him, it’s absolutely terrifying. There’s something Lovecraftian about his essence, which significantly amplifies the unsettling atmosphere of the movie.

The Hopelessness Of The Situation Adds To The Overall Tension

One reason that Cloverfield is effective across various layers is that it evokes an overwhelming sense of despair. The characters portrayed in Cloverfield are everyday people participating in a farewell party. At first, everything seems ordinary, and it’s not immediately apparent that you’re watching a monster movie, which actually strengthens the film.

Whenever the monster emerges on screen, an unnerving tension persists. This tension is amplified by the fact that we’re spending the entire film with ordinary characters, making the overwhelming sensation of despair even more palpable.

In the gripping tale of “Godzilla Minus One“, I found myself in the shoes of a disheartened kamikaze pilot with a score to settle. My adversary was none other than the fearsome Godzilla, and I was ready to risk everything for the chance to end his reign of terror. The narrative unfolds as we delve into my struggle, while also following the brilliant minds who concoct a daring strategy to vanquish the beast.

In contrast to what you might expect, none of those elements are found in the movie Cloverfield. Instead, each new incident only worsens the situation for the main characters, as they’re unable to retaliate due to their circumstances. Their primary goal is simply to endure. For instance, when the beastly parasitic creatures appear, one of them bites a character, who later on perishes in an explosion. Even when our heroes attempt to flee using a helicopter, the monster manages to crush it back down, leaving no avenue for escape.

What consistently sets apart Cloverfield as the greatest monster movie ever made is its palpable tension. Yet, there’s another compelling argument as to why I believe no other film could surpass it.

There’s Still Genuinely Nothing Else Like It

Back in 2008, I caught the premiere of “Cloverfield”. Fun fact: here we are, nearly two decades later, and I can confidently say that no movie has come close to matching its unique charm since then.

Absolutely, I found myself quite fond of the film “Colossal”, despite its surprisingly small budget. In my opinion, “Godzilla Minus One” should have been considered for the Best Picture award. Both films were exceptional and distinct in their own right. However, they are not on par with the unique brilliance that is “Cloverfield”.

For me, Cloverfield stands out as the definitive monster movie, considering all the points I’ve made earlier. Interestingly, while I’ve grown somewhat weary of found footage movies in general, I find that it fits perfectly for Cloverfield. This might be due to its integral role in enhancing the overall experience rather than being an unnecessary addition.

Frankly, there’s no other experience quite similar to it. Despite the fact that I wasn’t a fan of The Cloverfield Paradox and absolutely adored 10 Cloverfield Lane, neither seemed like typical Cloverfield fare, and I doubt anything else will replicate it.

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2025-05-20 18:26