There are a rare few films that can transport you to another place entirely.  That can make you gasp in surprise when they are over and the real world comes smashing back into you.  And surprisingly, a movie about a monster trashing up New York City succeeds.   

"Cloverfield" is above all a fantasy.  But it begins with a party.  Rob, played by Michael Stahl-David, is given a going-away bash by all of his 20-something friends who humorously, all happen to be skinny, pretty, and tall.  Best friend Hud, played by T.J. Miller is charged with the duty of recording the party, becoming the audience's window into what is to come.  The next half hour is filled with the usual banter of who slept with who and continuous flirting.  It's purely a character building scene and worth it since it helps you know who's screaming later on in the film.  Then with a flicker of lights and a distant rumble the party really begins.

For some reason that's never given, a creature has begun to destroy the Big Apple.  Only this monster looks like a really pissed off praying mantis that just happens to be the size of the Chrysler Building.  And it really likes people, as food.  Soon the party-goers are fleeing in the street from the thing and the mini-things that fall off of it like confetti and also have an appetite for those of the human persuasion.  But as Rob leads his friends through the city, things only go from bad to worse.  As explosions break apart buildings, causing dust and papers to float through the air, eerie memories of 9/11 resurface as we once again get to see New York City be destroyed.  Luckily, this attack is digitally produced and very well.  

Filmed in the style of the innovative "Blair Witch Project," "Cloverfield" is sometimes infuriating for what it's not showing you.  Only hints of the creature are caught on film until the latter part of the movie, the most of which is out of either out of focus and wildly jerky.  Which makes it even more terrifying.  That's the beauty of the film.  Without a musical score, any familiar actors, or structured scenes, anything is possible.  It is very apparent that producer J.J. Abrams, who created "Alias," "Lost" and directed "Mission: Impossible III," has delved into his innovative style once again. 

He has also delved into the characteristics of those of us not yet in our 30s.  Who else says "dude" so much?  The characters can't make any decision without screeching over each other but are completely at ease whipping out their picture phones and Blackberries.  Their confusion is true to real life and as such, it hurts them.  What other generation would spend all night running away from a Big Nasty in five inch heels?

Yet the movie prevails.  And as the creature eats up the city, "Cloverfield" has given you the best way to see it; up close and personal.  This is one cinema feast you won't want to miss.