Empire's Chronicle Movie Review

Chronicle
Superman: The home-movie

Plot
Three teenage friends go down a hole in the woods and emerge with telekinetic capabilities. As their great powers grow, though, so does their sense of irresponsibility...

Review

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Greenlighting a movie is a perilous business at the best of times. But there can surely be no more of a safe slam dunk in Hollywood than when two unknown but exuberant movie brats, one of them the son of the director of An American Werewolf In London, disrupt your morning San Pellegrino with a script that promises Blair Witch meets Carrie, as told by three teen characters that would make John Hughes blush. And then ask you for just $15 million to deliver it. Nobody knows anything, of course, but sometimes… Well, sometimes you don’t have to be Harvey Weinstein. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time.

Early on in its running time, Chronicle’s three unknown leads find themselves in a place that may either prove to be very right or very wrong, at an equally debatable time, when they discover some sort of Kryptonite-thing at the bottom of a big hole in the woods. The script, written by Max Landis, based on a concept by first-time feature director Josh Trank, injects some genuine, real-teen realities, as the three friends discover this close encounter has given them early-stage telekinesis. The condition has them first lark about, playing a sort of brain-based baseball, then cause all manner of hi-jinks on a visit to a shopping centre. Later, they start to stretch their skills — “It’s like a muscle,” says one, “we just have to learn to use it” — learning to fly, fight and, this being a teen movie based in approximate movie-truth, get laid.

To this point Chronicle is an immensely enjoyable superhero sci-fi, Sundance-cool yet shot with a studio sheen. It even makes a sincere effort to avoid the POV pitfall that has derailed so many found-footage movies since Burkittsville, its key documentarian, Dane (Detmer, channelling Basketball Diaries DiCaprio), learning to pilot his camcorder with his mind, thereby finding a neat (if not always successful) excuse why some shots can only have been achieved by a fourth party.

But then, after one of the trio abuses his powers in manipulating a car accident, causing a rift in the already fractious friendship, the movie accelerates astronomically, building and building and building again, to a climax so spectacular it borderline demands a standing ovation. In a world where trailers routinely give away the whole package in under three minutes, here is that rare thing: a movie that makes its promise and then over-delivers on it in a way that genuinely takes your breath away.

Make no mistake, Chronicle is by no means perfect. Primarily because, regardless of how decently rounded they are, its characters are possessed of a morality that stretches credulity. Three red-blooded teenage boys have gifted powers that could grant them unlimited girls, money and fame, and yet it takes them until act three to figure out that they might want to abuse them? It’s a nice thought, but one that wouldn’t have sat right 60 years ago, much less in the cynical I-want-it-nowness of the YouTube generation.

Still, you will be hard pushed to find a more essential leftfield movie experience this year. A true rarity, it manages to feel at once familiar — its ’80s sensibilities will strike chords with fans of Akira; and for telekenisis aficionados, there’s an on-stage sequence that riffs Carrie — and brand-spanking-new.

Crucial, too, is that this is a rough-edged first-time production that has — believe it or not — been put through the studio machine and emerged the better for it. In striving for a PG-13 rating, many of the original screenplay’s gruesome excesses have been toned down smartly. The gorehounds may bemoan it, but in another incarnation Chronicle could have been an exploding head away from another descendant of Scanners. Instead it is fresh and accessible, exciting and memorable, and marks out director Trank, who here executes two quite astonishing set-pieces, as a man with the power to do very great things. Little wonder Fox is considering him as a possible future for their Fantastic Four franchise. Here’s hoping.

Verdict

Reviewed by Mark Dinning

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Average user rating for Chronicle


Best found footage movie there has been... really original, incredibly entertaining, very smart - a hidden gem! ... More


Posted by philshepp at 22:10, 03 February 2013 \| Report This Post



Chronicle
A smart script, stunning set pieces, and outstanding performances by it's young cast makes Chronicle one of those rare found footage films that surpasses its limitation of being found footage, as well as it's cheap effects and difficult premise. ... More


Posted by norgizfox at 19:43, 13 October 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle
Loved it. Great effects for the budget and a believable reaction from young men to gaining super powers. My only gripe would be the cheats on the POV, going from found-footage to people having a camera at crucial times. ... More

Posted by Lazarus munkey at 09:39, 10 August 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle
This was ok but not great. I have trouble feeling empathy for whiny kids. ... More

Posted by drews at 15:58, 01 August 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle
Chronicle Very dull slow take off for this comicbook type film as we see a bunch of teens just messing around and talking crap whilst not much else is going on. The first half of the film is shown through 'Andrews' camera as he goes around filming everything and its damn annoying, of course its building characters but to be frank it doesn't seem that way as its really uninteresting. The way in which the three young males find the 'unknown object' in a deep dark hole after simply climb... More

Posted by Phubbs at 04:33, 01 August 2012 \| Report This Post



Slightly better than Twilight....and that's not saying much!
I really cant believe this got 4 stars. The effects were ok and I really like the whole telekinesis idea but this reminded me way too much of a Shit MTV Twilight type american teen flick. After Cloverfield did the POV thing so well whilst at the same time being very suggestive, I think it just didn't work in this film. But if I had to flag one thing in particular that made me think this film was pretty terrible it was the acting by the 3 leads, especially the main dude who was just awful! I will... More


Posted by guysalisbury at 14:37, 12 July 2012 \| Report This Post



Loved It
Best POV movie to date. Great plot, being bullied at school myself, I can see how this tragic environment of violence and fear would push someone off the deep end. Loved the flying scenes, and the intermesh of different camera views. This will become a classic, please let these directors go play with the big boys. I'm certain they will teach them a trick or two! ... More


Posted by danielthompson99 at 17:30, 14 June 2012 \| Report This Post



Original Surprising Amazing
Chronicle is very different addition to the found footage genre but one that will take you on an incredible journey. It is not perfect a lot of whats happening and whats happened we don't really know but as there is going to be a sequel im sure all will be revealed. Some great scenes will leave you breatless. It is an all round enjoyable entertaining film that you could watch again and again. ... More


Posted by withgreatpower at 11:46, 01 June 2012 \| Report This Post



A truly steaming pile......
Don't get me wrong, the concept was thoroughly original but how this film got such rave reviews I will never know. What seemed like an eternity into the film I glanced at my watch, only to discover that 25 minutes had passed. I literally wanted to shoot myself. I saw this over Ghost Rider, which got terrible reviews, but I should have gone to see that instead! This film wasnt help by the shaky camera (my heart sank as soon as it started) and the fact that I though the main character was ... More


Posted by theseabadger at 18:44, 28 March 2012 \| Report This Post



Chronicle review
When the words 'superhero movie' are said, immediate thoughts draw to; Iron man, spider-man, batman and maybe even the awful spoof film of 2006! Competing with such superhero companies as D.C and Marvel and also going against the superheroes that most know and love, is quite a risky plan. Which is why I believe the recent release of Chronicle is such a interesting and important one. Not only does it compete against the big companies, it also offers something new and fresh as the whole film is sh... More


Posted by Beastwoop11 at 19:11, 26 February 2012 \| Report This Post



Chronicle, film of the year?
Well it certainly is a contender. The story is gripping and the script is excellent. Awesome Irish Dude literally couldn't take their eyes of the screen. It is not a fantastic quality film but it is certainly a heap of fun. I feel using video cameras to show the story was a good idea but I got the feeling that two thirds of the way into it they ran out of ways to use this method. The main character literally takes other peoples cameras and makes them swirl around him so you can see him. It seeme... More


Posted by Awesome Irish Dude at 20:25, 25 February 2012 \| Report This Post



Chronicle, film of the year?
Well it certainly is a contender. The story is gripping and the script is excellent. Awesome Irish Dude literally couldn't take their eyes of the screen. It is not a fantastic quality film but it is certainly a heap of fun. I feel using video cameras to show the story was a good idea but I got the feeling that two thirds of the way into it they ran out of ways to use this method. The main character literally takes other peoples cameras and makes them swirl around him so you can see him. It seeme... More


Posted by Awesome Irish Dude at 20:21, 25 February 2012 \| Report This Post



An entertaining fantasy!
"Chronicle: found-footage constraints are overstretched & the narrative feels too truncated but on overall it's an entertaining fantasy! 6/10" (www.twitter.com/jasinlondon - It's all about life, the arts & politics.) ... More


Posted by Jas_SJ2 at 17:20, 20 February 2012 \| Report This Post



An entertaining fantasy!
"Chronicle: found-footage constraints are overstretched & the narrative feels too truncated but on overall it's an entertaining fantasy! 6/10" (www.twitter.com/jasinlondon - It's all about life, the arts & politics.) ... More


Posted by Jas_SJ2 at 17:20, 20 February 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle
Saw Chronicle on Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed it... Although it has it weaknesses (editing chiefly amongst them) I thought it was a sound bit of film making all round and very entertaining. 4 out of 5 ... More


Posted by Discodez at 15:30, 20 February 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Call the doctor...I need benedryl.
L: Trumpetnut Was Blair Witch this active with the camera? so in my opinion. I had to leave half way through BW as I got my one and only bout of really bad motion sickness to the point where I couldn't look at the screen. I was concerned that this would have the same effect but it didn't affect me at all. ... More

Posted by Hobbitonlass at 13:43, 20 February 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Not bad
Really enjoyable film. Great superhero story and left open for a sequel. Good Saturday afternoon viewing. ... More

Posted by Twisted Kitty at 13:39, 20 February 2012 \| Report This Post



Call the doctor...I need benedryl.
It was my own fault...I shouldn't have sat so close to the screen after eating a burger meal. Never have I had to leave a cinema before the end of a film, not for the toilet, not to get away from crisp bag rustling watchers, not even because the film was absolute bobbins...and never have I had to leave for the rather incongruous reason of feeling seasick. Was Blair Witch this active with the camera? NYPD Blue? I don't think so. For me, and my stomach contents, it was the defining constant of a m... More


Posted by Trumpetnut at 21:59, 19 February 2012 \| Report This Post



what a load of rubbish
I'm sorry, but please tell me the point of this film. It's the first time in my life that I have walked out of a film. Very disappointed. ... More


Posted by footpicker at 23:44, 17 February 2012 \| Report This Post



Scifi rip off
Chronicle reminds me of a science fiction anime called Akira. Minus the scientists and genetic mutation at the end ofcourse, but mostly the same. First person camera viewing didn't work on reality shows. I'm confused why anyone would think a movie is different. Only 2 stars for this movie, in my opinion. ... More


Posted by Akirarip at 16:30, 14 February 2012 \| Report This Post



APEX PREDATOR INDEED.......
Heroes season one is ten times better than this - but that doesn't mean Josh Trank's mini- masterpiece isn't worth seeing. On the contrary, this film had me hooked from the get go. I dig superheroes and comic books anyway - but Trank was clearly pushing the boundaries within his limited budget and the results can only be commended. How many millions will they spend on the new Superman movie? Ten/twenty times more than what was spent here I'd wager - and yet there were times when I thought I was... More


Posted by ROTGUT at 19:04, 13 February 2012 \| Report This Post



Made the unbelievable, believable
As someone who was picked on at school and then got very good at martial arts, I was along for the ride with this. Personally, I can't agree with any of the points raised about the fx being bad, and if some of the choices made by the lead character aren't in line with "what you would do", just remember - they are not you! He's a crazy mixed up kid! Also not sure why anyone is calling this a superhero movie. With great power comes great responsibility, but this is more the tale of a su... More


Posted by sunflies at 00:46, 10 February 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle Review!
There's no denying the effects in Chronicle aren't necessarily it's strong point, but I would happily forgive lesser quality effects if the ambition of the film is strong enough. And this was an extremely ambitious film, whether or not the effects were realistic, the events they described were quite unique, unlike much I'd ever seen in terms of 'powers' movies. I loved Chronicle, loved its lo-fi quality, how you really bought into the lead character's development (or regression if you need... More

Posted by jrewing1000 at 22:41, 09 February 2012 \| Report This Post



RE: Chronicle Review!
L: Gazdance I'd love to see what people consider good effects if people thought these were poor! Morons. eeing as I'm one of the "morons" that thought the effects in Chronicle were poor I thought I'd respond to you. Classy behaviour btw. Personally, I prefer my effects to be as subtle as possible, and have a physicality behind them. Here are a couple of films which have impressed me from an effects perspective. Inception - Kind of an obvious one really, but obvious for a rea... More

Posted by adambatman82 at 22:37, 09 February 2012 \| Report This Post



meh
it's not a great idea, it's very silly in parts and ultimately; it's nothing original. Also, the lead character is far too annoying. ... More


Posted by tysmuse at 22:16, 09 February 2012 \| Report This Post



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Chronicle
Superman: The home-movie