5-22-08: A Cloverfield FanEdit

Updated
5-22-08: A Cloverfield FanEdit
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
2008
Original Running Time:
85
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
75
Time Cut:
10
Time Added:
1
Available in HD?
Brief Synopsis:
I have recut the 2008 Cloverfield so the characters don’t seem so self centered, removed many cringe scenes (‘You know who Superman is?’) and removing all the flashback footage to create a more focused and tightened story.
Intention:
The original Cloverfield will always be one of my favorite films. However, there are several things that bug me each time I watch it. Specifically, the whole Rob/Beth relationship subplot, Hud being a creeper on Marlena, stuff like that. I thought of doing a fanedit of my own, but I thought that maybe someone else had already done something like I wanted to, but I could only ever find one fanedit that no one seems to know either where to find or that it even exists (for the record, it was YourMamaVideo’s ‘Cloverfield (Fanedit’)). I then decided to take matters into my own hands.
Special Thanks:
thecuddlyninja and TM2YC.
Release Information:
Digital
Cuts and Additions:
00.00.00 - New Opening featuring custom fan edit disclaimer stylized to fit within the films universe.
00.02.04 - Cut Flashback Footage.
00.02.42 - Cut Flashback Footage.
00.05.30 - 00.05.59 - Trimmed Hud talking to Marlena at he bar so we only see her testimonial.
00.09.18 - Cut Hud taking to Rob so there is no mention of another tape and so we go straight to Hud talking to Beth.
00.09.36 - Trimmed end of Hud talking to Beth before her testimonial.
00.10.30 - Cut Every mention of Rob and Beth sleeping together so Hud doesn’t come off as irresponsible.
00.11.18 - Cut Rob mentioning him and Beth having sex.
00.17.57 - Cut Flashback footage.
00.19.33 - Cut Hud asking Marlena what she saw on the way to the bridge.
00.31.31 - Cut Rob’s phone call in the subway.
00.34.46 - Trimmed the ‘you know who Superman is?’ moment so the only lines that remain are ‘Maybe it’s from another planet and flew here.’ Like Superman?’ ‘Yeah, exactly!’
00.35.09 - Cut Hud mentioning the ‘Guy that was lighting homeless people on fire.’
00.37.09 - Cut Flashback Footage.
00.58.33 - Cut a few frames of the helicopter crash so there are no flash frames of Beth at the subway station.
01.04.35 - Cut ending on Ferris Wheel,
01.04.39 - New Ending Title Cards bridging the film and it’s ARG.
Opening

User reviews

3 reviews
Overall rating
 
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.7(3)
Audio Editing
 
9.3(3)
Visual Editing
 
9.7(3)
Narrative
 
9.3(3)
Enjoyment
 
9.7(3)
Overall rating
 
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
Being a 'found footage' movie allows for this to have jumpy cuts and audio problems, because the whole premise of this presentation is something unfinished and not at all polished.

With all that said, the only thing I can recall which was not shown was useless ending footage which presented as earlier video being recorded-over by the monster attack footage. It was unnecessary, and whatever else was excised from the movie was also surely not needed. In this edit, you follow that there is a party and video testimonials from friends are being given, when suddenly a monster slaps the Statue of Liberty and NYC normalcy goes to Hell. A preferable way to see the story play out, the editor has nicely trimmed the fat.

User Review

Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
Report this review Comments (0) | Was this review helpful? 0 0
Overall rating
 
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
 
10.0
Audio Editing
 
10.0
Visual Editing
 
10.0
Narrative
 
10.0
Enjoyment
 
10.0
Stripped down and linear without any exaggerated "character" developments. These characters are cookie cut, but useful, tropes and should never have been labored over so much in the original. But in the context of the setting and without the soap operatic flashbacks, the love against odds/rescue dynamic now procures enough emotion for the viewer to engage in the situation without rolling their eyes. Nice job. Most cuts were invisible and where they couldn't be they were nicely integrated with the technology glitches or frantic use of the cam being used which was nice. Good edit overall and improves the film a lot. I am giving high marks for the cohesiveness of a mature edit and improved narrative focus.

15MaF
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Overall rating
 
8.6
Audio/Video Quality
 
9.0
Audio Editing
 
8.0
Visual Editing
 
9.0
Narrative
 
8.0
Enjoyment
 
9.0
The fanedit warning and title cards are excellent. I thoroughly enjoy when an edit incorporates the style of the film in the fanedit warning. The new information incorporating the ARG stuff was really cool. I remember the marketing for this film and the ARG backstory stuff was really interesting. It also takes some explanations given outside the film and makes them canon, which I appreciate. Now, to the cuts. I love the reduction of super creepy Hud. It was always uncomfortable for me but in recent years given the actor even more so. I like the character more in this edit. I still don't like him but I like him more. It makes his death more meaningful IMO. The Rob/Beth dynamic works a bit better here. The movie now shows instead of tells us about what happened with them. Frankly, none of these characters are that interesting outside of Marlene and the removal of the flashbacks take the focus away from a story that is frankly way less interesting than the monster in the city. We still get arcs (kinda) for Rob and Beth, as much as in the original. The lack of flashbacks keeps the focus and the tension on what is happening, instead of cutting away to a backstory that the viewer cares less about than the action. Since so much of the film is spent not really understanding what is going on and why, I find that keeping the viewer there works better. I think the ending is more powerful ending where it does, rather than the ferris wheel scene answering the mystery box question in an unsatisfying way.
T
Top 50 Reviewer 114 reviews
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