Marval Movie

10 Cloverfield Lane is part suspense/thriller, part fantasy/science fiction. It’s not normally my type of movie, but the previews were intriguing and the movie proved to be good. It starts with a girl (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) packing a bag and leaving her home in distress. Driving down a dark road (never good), there are blinding lights, a swerve, and a blackout. (Uh-oh). She awakens in a room with a broken leg and she’s chained. (More dread).  What happened? Where is she?

Thump. Door opens. Here comes John Goodman (such a good solid actor who’s really excellent here). The girl begs for her life and asks to be set free. He says he can’t . He claims he saved her life, that’s it not safe outside. The world is under attack and he had the foresight to prepare. She has flashbacks to her crash. Some things just don’t add up. And there’s another guy in this bunker (John Gallgher, Jr). He seems a tad dim, but loyal. He vouches for the man – claims he knew to come here to live. Had done work for the preparation and wanted to survive.

The first part of 10 Cloverfield Lane will have you jumping and on edge. You are with the girl as she keeps trying to escape, and yet some things keep her there. Parts of the story make sense, and then something happens to send your heart reeling to panic.  It is very suspenseful and well done.  The tamat third of the film went over the top for me. I won’t say what happens, but to me it lost its edge. Nonetheless, this is a well-made tight film and worthy of rental. Turn off the lights and hold your breath. You’ll be nervous the next time you drive down a dark lane.