There Goes The Neighborhood..."10 Cloverfield Lane"

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, John Gallagher Jr.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg

The Story:

Michelle (Winstead) is driving home late one evening and becomes involved in a car crash. When she awakes, she finds that she is being take of by Howard (Goodman). Apparently Emmett (Gallagher) is also being looked after by Howard as she learns that he rescued them both from some horrendous disaster and they should be thankful to even be alive in an underground bunker that he built. Michelle doubts the sincerity of the story and begins to think that Howard is making the entire story up, so she begins planning on how to break free.

But what if he's telling the truth?

Well, that was something alright.

The spiritual sequel to the 2008 found footage hit Cloverfield, this takes place almost entirely in the bunker as the 3 characters get to know each other.

It starts off creepy enough, wondering if you can actually trust Howard at his word.

But then you think you can.

Or can you?

And that twisting, back and forth logic propels most of the movie.

Then, it feels the need to loop back to the original movie, and nearly all of the suspense and tension just flies out of the film, like letting loose a balloon.

Perhaps not an unjustifiable ending, but one that a psychological thriller that makes up the majority of the run-time didn't deserve.

But when you switch gears, and genres, that quickly, you get what you deserve.

So a pretty good movie gets a markdown for an ending that underwhelmed.

Final Grade: B-