some thoughts, without spoilers.
It's really very worthwhile to watch all the viral marketing videos and stuff, as it explains things that the movie does not. I can recommend Cloverfield clues as a good place to locate all the viral stuff. Especially their youtube account that collects up all the Jamie and Teddy stuff. Very interesting stuff there.
Don't go and see it if handheld camera work makes you nauseous. Or, take anti-nausea pills like sealegs before you go in. I was a bit concerned about this aspect of it, but didn't end up having a problem. A lot of people at our screening on Friday night walked out because of this. One guy sprinted out, perhaps to avert grossness in the cinema.
Do pay attention to the background of shots, even in the 'flashback' stuff which the movie was 'recorded over'.
Don't go in expecting a standard monster movie. This is a film centred on a few friends and it never gets bigger than that.
I loved this movie, I loved it to bits, but it's really dividing audiences. I think, as with most things, it comes down to what you expect when you are going in. A lot of annoying teenagers in our screening didn't seem to like it at all. I thought they just didn't know what to expect. Lee thought maybe it was all too direct, too close to being personal for them. Either way, it may be best to go in expecting nothing. And don't see it if monster movies don't interest you at all.
I think Cleolinda has it right when she said this movie couldn't have been made even five years ago. The suspension of disbelief rests on your familiarity with the youtube phenomenon. That is: everything must be documented, everything must be recorded no matter what.
This movie scared the shit out of me, but it also made me very excited. I'd say that JJ Abrams anti-marketing (i.e. all viral, no reveal) campaign worked very well.
PoF: I'm lounging in my PJs and there is nothing you can do about it.
CO: I have eaten bacon and eggs. All is right with the world.