After two totally different first installments, a third episode of the Cloverfield saga made an unexpected appearance on Netflix earlier this week. Directed by Julius Onah, The Cloverfield Paradox will never see its theatrical release. Review of this third installment of this atypical franchise, the least successful episode of the science fiction saga.
A lack of originality compared to its big brothers
The first installment of Cloverfield is a nice found-footage that places the protagonists in the hell of an alien invasion. A giant monster, a kind of Kaiju and small monsters spread on the ground, totally destroy New York. Effective, this first immersive film made it possible to confront the viewer with an apocalypse on the scale of a city and the discovery of an impressive monster. An approach not necessarily new, but which is positioned as a success of its kind.
10 Cloverfield Lane, the second episode directed by Dan Trachtenberg, was the huge surprise. After a masked promotion, the film was released in theaters like a flower. A feature film that will prove to be a total success. Dan Trachtenberg prefers to focus his work on a more horrific approach, but also less fantastic, in an oppressive closed door. Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a survivor, trapped in a shelter with Jon Goodman, who supposedly protects her from monsters from outside. The challenge of the film is to detect the true from the false in this approach that connects in-extremis to the first film, the time of a conclusion in a vein of science fiction.
Finally, The Cloverfield Paradox is unveiled on Netflix. A new opus, faithful to the recipe of the saga, which sets up new places, a new plot and new characters. This third episode is supposed to answer some questions asked in the first two installments, including where this alien comes from. However, its lazy approach to space spree, brings less originality and subtlety than its two big brothers. A bland style, no concept, flat characters and above all a movie that pumps on all the great classics of the genre. The horror effects are close to the Alien saga, the scenario tries a mind-fuck à la Interstellar and the conclusion is reminiscent of that of Life. In short, even if The Cloverfield Paradox contains some good ideas, the film is sorely lacking in originality in its treatment and moves away from the concept films that were the first two opuses.
Good ideas that lack development
The Cloverfield Paradox is clearly the least successful film in the trilogy. However, Julius Onah's feature film reserves some good moments. Interesting scriptwriting and staging ideas, especially in this confrontation between two universes that calls into question all reality as we know it. The solid, the high, the low, the reality is totally transformed. To stage this situation, Julius Onah finds some bright ideas that we will not spoil here. However, this axis lacks development. And while this could have been a first element of answer, the film digs not in this direction and ends up falling into the classic space survival.
Similarly, the conclusion that connects this opus of force to the saga, is totally disappointing. This is a shame because the first part of the film had its share of promises. But the overly detached tone, the lack of impactful visual effects and the atmosphere that loses power over the course of the story do not allow The Cloverfield Paradox to compete with its predecessors. Similarly, the second plot, which focuses on Earth and especially on the character of Michael (Roger Davis), lacks development. However, this subplot had enormous potential, with this little girl who could easily have been attached to the saga. With the time distortions, she could have been the same character as Commander Jense (Elisabeth Debicki) or could have connected to 10 Cloverfield Lane via this short moment in a secluded shelter, perhaps John Goodman's. A simple reference or a happy coincidence?
The new Cloverfield is clearly the least successful of the three games. With its space expedition that draws from all the classics of the genre (Alien, Interstellar, Sunshine), The Cloverfield Paradox offers some good ideas including the meeting between the two dimensions. But its disappointing conclusion and lack of originality compared to the second installment, this lazy connection, this lack of concept compared to its two big brothers and its flagrant lack of subtlety place the film in the class of classic blockbusters. A fourth opus would apparently already be shot and would be released in theaters next October. Business to follow…
