J.J. Abrams is responsible for many cinematic triumphs, but the Cloverfield universe of films that he’s helped put in motion has been one of his better efforts and led to some very satisfying movies.
J.J. Abrams has cooled down a little on the whole cryptic storytelling and “mystery box” approach to his films, but Cloverfield came out when this dynamic was in full effect. Abrams and Bad Robot were able to create genuine anticipation and turn the Cloverfield films into event viewings as a result of the unconventional and mysterious advertising for the project. The original film’s handheld found footage approach to a giant monster movie was already inventive, but the sequels would take an even more ambitious approach. J.J. Abrams announced that the strategy for the Cloverfield sequels would that each one would be radically different in terms of scope, genre, and would explore the film’s world. Additionally, it was made clear that the sequels’ approach would be to take sci-fi movies that were already gearing into production and then retrofitting them as Cloverfield projects. It was an unusual strategy for the franchise, but helped the movies develop distinct personalities.
Even though there were rumblings that the Bad Robot-produced Overlord was going to be another covert Cloverfield sequel, it turned out to not take place in the same universe. It’s entirely possible that the strategy towards the Cloverfield films has been adjusted to better anticipate audience reactions. News on any future Cloverfield endeavors has been minimal, but a fourth movie and a continuation to this universe have been promised to fans. Until then, here’s a ranking that breaks down the existing films in the Cloverfield franchise.
3. The Cloverfield Paradox
The most disappointing thing about The Cloverfield Paradox, 2018’s surprise entry, is that there’s actually a really good idea at the center of this movie, but it gets lost. This project originally started as God Particle, a sci-fi/horror hybrid that revolves around the use of a particle accelerator that accidentally transports the crew of a space station to an alternate reality, complete with an alternate Earth. J.J. Abrams was fascinated with using the impetus of the particle accelerator as the inciting event that starts the Cloverfield universe. It’s a clever idea to have events from the future in 2028 retroactively cause a rift that alters the past, but unfortunately, The Cloverfield Paradox suffers the most from edits just to fit into a larger universe. It’s too bad because there are some genuinely creepy ideas in play here, and the whole parallel universe concept wields a ton of potential. Poor reception for The Cloverfield Paradox killed off a lot of enthusiasm for the franchise.
2. Cloverfield
The mysterious film that started it all, Cloverfield is directed by Matt Reeves with a script from Drew Goddard, both who have shown themselves to be visionaries of cinema. The film takes a basic giant monster film like Godzilla, but approaches it from an incredibly intimate and unique way by presenting it through a chaotic found footage angle. Stylistically and narratively, Cloverfield is an absolute triumph and such a creative way to tell this kind of story, but the film becomes even more memorable due to its intense world building. The film was pushed through a heavy viral marketing campaign that kept much of the film a secret and, even within the movie, there are multiple blanks that are left up to the viewers’ imagination. It’s this level of freedom that has helped turn the movies into such a memorable franchise.
1. 10 Cloverfield Lane
Dan Trachtenberg’s 10 Cloverfield Lane goes in a wildly different direction than its predecessor. Originally developed as The Cellar, 10 Cloverfield Lane became retrofitted with elements to make it work as a connected piece of the Cloverfield patchwork. The sequel ditches the previous film’s found footage construct and instead tells a much more intimate story about two individuals trapped underground in a bunker. They are told they’re being kept in the bunker for their own safety because the world above ground is now inhospitable as a result of nuclear fallout. As time passes, the film plays with what’s really true and where the actual danger lies. Brilliantly acted with an intelligent, unpredictable script, 10 Cloverfield Lane’s final act is also a thrilling departure that will satisfy fans of the first Cloverfield’s larger moments.
Next: Cloverfield: What REALLY Crashed Into The Ocean At The End
