Very much the post 9/11 movie, this return of the old staple of the monster movie never loses its ability to shock. Whilst the storytelling convention is hardly new, it’s so underused, that tied in with the 9/11 overtones, you are drawn into proceedings whether you want to or not. Shooting the entire movie from the handicam user’s point of view allows a completely unfamiliar cinematic viewpoint (well not new – Blair Witch tried it first) – old conventions (don’t look behind you, watch out for her, she’s been bitten) take on a whole new, more urgent and real complexion. You don’t care about the characters much – you don’t really need to (ok you do, in order to buy the love story awkwardly inserted after the monster quite literally hits) – you know about as much about them as you would if you were a fellow partygoer, but that’s an effective basis to ground the movie on. Before the monster makes its first appearance, the party really is normal – it’s boring, tedious, irritating, very very normal and real. And then disaster strikes.
9/11 is quite strongly evoked in the initial escape from the destroyed skyscrapers, as the monster arrives in (surprise surprise) Lower Manhattan. Those of us who weren’t there have all seen the footage, and the initial escapes easily reference our memories of that day when unimaginable disaster really did strike. From there the plot becomes threadbare, but what would happen if an invulnerable monster came wandering through your city? It’s a vicious and often terrifying adrenaline ride – exactly what has been needed by a good horror movie for far too long. It never tries to be something it’s not, but with a good heart, plenty of unexpected humour, and despite its unoriginal story and barely fleshed out characters, it manages to hold you captivated, often in sheer terror.
Do NOT wait to watch this film on DVD. I saw a digital print, which only adds to the intensity.
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