Guide Note

J.J. Abrams' monster movie, Cloverfield has been called a 9-11 allegory by many critics and viewers, as the film evokes images reminiscent of New York City in a state of terror and destruction. Shots of terrified New Yorkers fleeing through downtown Manhattan, flanked by smoke and debris, are starkly similar to those captured on 9-11. A set of "twin" towers—Manhattan's Time Warner Center—is also featured, one of them collapsed against the other; and though the image was not a literal replica of the World Trade Center collapse, it was close enough to warrant comment in a number of publications and blogs. The aspect of the film that's most uncanny, however, is the shaky digicam footage in which the entire film is shot, recalling the amateur footage that has become iconic of the events of 9-11.

Fast Facts

1. The original marketing for the film had no title... only the date 1-18-08
2. The two towers (one fallen) of the Time Warner Center figure prominently in the plot