Cloverfield is essentially The Blair Witch Project on a more mainstream level, with a giant Godzilla-like monster replacing unseen ghosts, and New York City subbing in for the three lost filmmakers running around a forest. If the jerky camerawork left you queasy in Blair Witch, then expect the same results here.

Cloverfield presents a big budget monster flick from the perspective of the civilians. A group of 20-somethings gather for a going away party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David), who just landed a job in Japan (one of many nods to Godzilla). Hud (T.J. Miller), a slow-witted doofus, is in charge of documenting the bash as a parting gift for Rob. The entirety of the film is comprised of Hud's footage.

The party is filled with loads of Friends-style melodrama before the proceedings are interrupted by the much-anticipated monster, and when chaos breaks out Hud is conveniently equipped with his trusty camcorder to record it all.

As the partygoers maneuver through a New York City under attack, we see all the action roll out in shaky, often disturbing, first person. I'm still not sure if having Hud's jokey commentary glued to every scene is a good thing or not. He keeps the film super light with his constant hit-and-miss stabs at humour, but there are times when the film clearly wants to get darker, and in those moments he's a jarring presence.

Still, Cloverfield supplies the kind of goofy fun a silly monster movie should provide. The style is a rip from Blair Witch, but it's quite effectively handled, and the camerawork definitely lends the film some serious doses of excitement.