The Cloverfield Paradox is a fun and competent space thriller that explains it’s two predecessors
A part from the chunky editing and unrefined storyline, this film attempts to do something interesting
I’m going to kickstart this by saying this, the third in the extremely loose Cloverfield trilogy has had an unfair drubbing by a LOT of people in my opinion.
Is it as groundbreaking as the original Cloverfield?
No. Is it as menacing and tense as 10 Cloverfield Lane - hell no.
But is it as bad as all the caterwauling we’ve heard since Netflix got us with it’s Beyonce-style surprise release? Absolutely not.
It’s a fun and relatively competent space thriller which goes some way to explain it’s two predecessors.
On Earth there is an energy crisis which we’ve attempted to solve by sending a bunch of scientist to space so they can try and farm a new form of energy called the God Particle.
Just when it looks like they’re doomed, the operation succeeds, but brings something far more dangerous into being.
This isn’t an alien on the loose trope - and it takes a while for you to get your head around it (yes it’s complex but also quite badly written), but when it all slots into place, I was pleasantly surprised.
In keeping with the previous two, it’s a relatively un-hollywood cast, with the only really recognisable faces being David Oyelowo, Chris O’ Down and Elizabeth Decki.
MOST READ IN FILM
There were clear problems while making it - the editing is clunky and the storyline needed some refining - which may have gone some way to explain why this film appeared then disappeared off Paramount’s release schedule so often - but you know what, I quite enjoyed it far better than last year’s ‘Life’ which got some ridiculously favourable reviews .
This at least this attempts to do something interesting and keeps you guessing.
In hindsight Netflix is the best place for it - I’d be peeved if I’d booked a sitter and bought tickets - but as part of my Netflix package, I was happy.
The Cloverfield Paradox
(N/A) 102mins
★★★☆☆