We Return to the Cloververse
The script started as a straight science fiction/action spec script called God Particle written by Oren Uziel. When Paramount optioned it shortly before shuttering their InSurge low budget label, they basically asked JJ Abrams – who had been part of the option through Bad Robot – to figure it out. And that’s what he did, shoehorning the script into his Cloververse. How well does it work? Not as well as the previous effort. But is it outright bad? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our member bonus conclusion to our Cloververse trilogy series with Julius Onah’s 2018 film The Cloverfield Paradox.
The JJ Mystery Box Dilemma with The Cloverfield Paradox
Uziel’s original script God Particle isn’t perfect, but it does work as a science fiction/action story. Would it have worked better had it been left alone? We gauge our thoughts on that, but have to look at the final result. And it’s a mess. By squeezing this script into the Cloververse, JJ has simultaneously forced elements from his world into this script and in turn completely neglected crafting a story that makes sense.
It doesn’t mean it’s flat-out terrible. There are interesting sci-fi elements that work. There are interesting horror elements that work. The film’s beautiful to look at and the cast works exceptionally well for the world created. There’s a lot to like in here, but it’s hard to get past the issues to just enjoy the good parts.
We have a great conversation about all of our issues with this film and the franchise, and it’s for you – our wonderful members. So check it out and tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!
Film Sundries
Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.
- Find your Netflix link at JustWatch
- Original Spec Script God Particle
- Theatrical trailer
- Poster artwork
- Flickchart
- Letterboxd
This is a member bonus episode. We’d love it if you became a member to support our show, but you’d love it because of everything you get. We have monthly member bonus episodes that only members can access. You also get monthly Flickchart re-ranking episodes, access to members-only Discord channels, and early releases for every episode. We have a special episode we release at the end of each series called Retake during which we break down our overall thoughts of the entire season. Plus, you get to vote on the movies we discuss in our members only episodes! What can we say? It pays to be a member. Learn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership — visit TruStory FM.
