10 Cloverfield Lane

As I've stated in previous reviews, apocalyptic films are typically grim and laced with an unforgiving future of either total obliteration or a hideous, despairing society with really nothing to live for. What makes "10 Cloverfield Lane" stand out from all the rest of this genre is it centers on three distinct individuals instead of mass numbers of people, and being shot in a bomb shelter, one must use their imagination far more than other films of this type.

A young woman, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up after a terrible car accident to find that she's locked in a bomb shelter/bunker 40 feet underground with a paranoid doomsday survivalist, Howard (John Goodman), who insists that he saved her life and the life of a young man, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) and that the world outside is uninhabitable following an apocalyptic catastrophe. Uncertain what to believe, Michelle soon determines that she must escape at any cost and trusts Emmett to assist her in this endeavor. Is this survivalist insane or is he just so stressed that he comes across as someone bent due to the amazing pressure he and all are experiencing?

Others to round out the cast are Douglas M. Griffin as Driver, Suzanne Cryer as Woman, Bradley Cooper as Ben (voice), Michelle's boyfriend, Sumalee Montano as Voice on Radio and Frank Mottek as Radio Broadcaster.

This was directed by a virtual newbie, Dan Trachenberg (TV and shorts), and considering this film only really had three actors in the cast, he was amazing in bringing out just the most effective of emotions out of these actors which keeps the audience glued. Of course, with a consummate actor as Goodman is, this obviously helped. This filmmaker will undoubtedly receive more work. With J.J. Abrams producing; he's not going to choose a lackluster director. This was intensely and creepily written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle based on a story by Campbell and Stuecken. What makes this clearly work is that of the character of Howard played by Goodman. This was written in a way where the audience was going back and forth with their emotions wondering where this character is coming from. Is Howard a psycho, an angry survivalist, a hurt individual, a truly concerned individual? All these questions are going through one's mind as this film plays out. These three people would have good times in this bunker, bad times, indifferent times, etc. Again, considering the lack of experience of both Campbell and Stuecken, this was a very tightly written script. Chazelle is really the only writer here with any writing experience to speak of, but this being the brainchild of the other two writers, they, of course, received first billing.

This film has it all: suspense, mystery, fear, retaliation, uncertainty all rolled up in a script that will have you biting your nails wondering what's going to happen as each scene is presented. This does not give audiences what they expect, and this makes for a great story on any level.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: PG-13                                103mins.