Cloverfield : First Look

Cloverfield is a 2008 American monster movie produced by J. J. Abrams, directed by Matt Reeves, and written by Drew Goddard. First publicized in advance screenings of Transformers, the project was released on January 17 in New Zealand and Australia, and on January 18 in the United States and Canada. It is scheduled for a February 1 release in the United Kingdom.

The film begins on May 22; Jason Hawkins (Mike Vogel) and his girlfriend, Lily (Jessica Lucas), plan a surprise going away party for Jason's brother, Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who has accepted a business position in Japan. Jason entrusts Rob’s best friend, Hud (T. J. Miller), with the video camera, so he can tape the party and document Rob’s last night in America. The party at Rob’s Manhattan apartment begins and all is well, though Hud has no luck flirting with his crush, Marlena (Lizzy Caplan), from behind the camera. Rob arrives and is happy to see all his friends. Things get complicated quickly, though, as it is revealed that Rob recently slept with Beth (Odette Yustman), making their longtime friendship more complicated just before he leaves the country. Beth arrives at the party - but with a date. When Rob confronts her about the date, she claims they have not spoken in weeks (presumably since right around their sexual encounter). Beth leaves with her date, and Rob hints to his brother that he cares for Beth, although he never told her this.

The building then suddenly shakes, a large animal-like growl is heard and the power temporarily fails. Startled party goers then watch a news report saying that an oil tanker near the Statue of Liberty has capsized. Dozens of people head to the roof to get a look, only to witness a huge explosion in the distance, falling debris from which quickly forces them to the ground floor. Upon reaching the street, the Statue of Liberty's head suddenly crashes down before them, and everyone witnesses more explosions and a gigantic creature moving in the distance. Rob, Jason, Lily, Marlena and Hud all head for the Brooklyn Bridge. While on the bridge, Rob gets a call from Beth, who is now injured and trapped in her Midtown apartment after an explosion. Just then, the creature's tail comes out of the water and destroys the bridge, killing Jason among many others. Rob and his friends flee back to Manhattan.

The remaining three arrive at Beth's building in Manhattan; it is partially toppled and leaning on another building nearby. They climb to her apartment by crossing over the roof of the building it's leaning on. They discover Beth, who has fallen and impaled her shoulder. After freeing her and fending off another parasite by hacking it with an axe, they escape the buildings and board USMC UH-1 evacuation helicopters just as the giant creature attacks nearby. Lily is separated during the evacuation, with her escaping in a different helicopter. Flying above Manhattan as day breaks, Rob, Beth and Hud witness a USAF B2 Bomber attacking, and seemingly killing, the giant creature; however, it leaps out of the smoke plumes and swipes at the helicopter, causing it to crash in Central Park. Hud, Rob and Beth survive the crash, only to look up and see the creature towering over them. After the creature kills Hud, Rob grabs Beth and the camera and hides underneath a bridge. He gives a final testimonial to the camera while in the background, air-raid sirens begin to go off and tells Beth that he loves her. She tells Rob she loves him too, immediately before multiple massive explosions leave the camera covered in rubble, presumably killing them both.

The official Cloverfield trailer