Cloverfield- 2 Minute Analysis

The movie begins after the use of multiple title sequences, the movie is of course filmed from a handy cam perspective and an explosion gives the first impression of reaction within the actors on screen.

The camera is then turned to face the explosion, the camera is used effectively to give the impression that the camera is attempting to focus. The use of this small detail causes the viewer to be absorbed into the story themselves as it is almost like they are behind the camera themselves.

The darkness in the frame, also gives an impression of mystery as the viewer can essentially see nothing on screen. The explosion then appears drawing the viewers attention to the situation. This reaction is amplified by the screams of others in the area as the flames become the centre of attention.

The explosion throws wreckage towards the protagonists, making them run for safety. The light of this wreckage almost gives the impression of illumination of the truth, although this light is fleeting as it crashes beside the actors. A feeling of disorientation is then introduced as the camera shakes and blurs the images on screen, the destination of the characters isn't absolutely clear because of the darkness and the disorientation.

When the protagonists enter the inside of the building the area behind the camera man is destroyed sending him to the ground. Another actor then hurries to pick him up. The camera is tilted to the ground to show that the actor is on the floor and struggling to recover, and when the characters friend comes to pick him up he reaches for the camera suggesting that he is almost helping the viewer to his feet rather than the character in the film. This gives the viewer a deeper sense of immersion than in films which tell the viewer more than the actors on screen. The non diagetic cries and screams of characters out of frame gives a sense of extreme stress on all of the characters present.

The characters then rush into the street in search of help, they only find a gigantic loud of smoke rolling down the street towards them. The building in the distance is kept in frame to give a sense of scale relating to the smoke cloud. A stop sign is placed in frame on the right, almost in an effort to alert the characters to stop and take in the event.

The mis en scene is perfected by placing abandoned cars all over the street along with people who are either running or simply standing in fear of the cloud of smoke. The combination of this with the sound of screaming introduces a sense of complete chaos to the viewer. Which is only amplified by the use of the handy cam technique.

The statue of liberty's head is then flung down the street towards the actors. The head is almost purposely kept out of frame, in an effort to amplify the fact that is essentially a disembodied head. But also to instill the fact that the camera man simply didn’t have enough time to adjust the camera which once again draws the viewer closer to the action.

Up until this moment in the film, the clips have been seamlessly edited to give the appearance of continuity. These events are supposed to happen instantly after each other, making the entire sequence one long scene with no break. This helps to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat as they are drawn into the dreadful situation.

As the opening two minutes of the film draw to a close, the actors vacate into a nearby shop to escape the dust cloud. The lighting is used cleverly to further obscure the outside while creating terror for the viewer and actors. As noises and giant footsteps are heard outside, it leads the viewer to become afraid of the once safe haven.

The darkness also symbolizes the fact that the actors have absolutely no idea of what is going on outside, with a subtle light shining in showing that the truth is outside while they remain inside and oblivious to the events outside.