DIR: Josh Trank • WRI: Max Landis • PRO: John Davis • DOP: Matthew Jensen • ED: Elliot Greenberg • DES: Stephen Altman • Cast: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan
The ‘found footage’ movies seems like they should have run its course by now. Having been brought into the limelight by The Blair Witch Project, it has presented some enjoyable films, with the Paranormal Activity series, the [REC] series, as well as Troll Hunter and The Last Exorcism all working well within the perimeters of the genre. And now we have the superhero/found footage hybrid of Chronicle, pumping in some much needed new blood.
Three friends Andrew (Dane DeHaan), Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B Jordan) discover a whole in a field, and when they go down to investigate, they discover something (it’s revealed what it actually is, that’ll probably save that for the inevitable sequel), and the guys discover they now have the power of telekinesis. Starting off as a prolonged montage as they test and push the boundaries of their new abilities, it quickly becomes clear that Andrew’s dark home life has left altered him, and with this new power, it won’t be long before he starts exacting revenge on whoever might have wronged him.
Equal parts Spiderman and Cloverfield, and for the final act, venturing into Akira territory, Chronicle is two thirds wish fulfilment fantasy, and one third jaw-on-the-floor action film. At times the reasons why they give for the guys still filming themselves becomes far to strained to be believable, but that’s one small nit-pick in a movie that is way more fun that it should be. And it a brisk 83 minutes, it’s one of the few movies that knows when not to outstay it’s a welcome. In a year that has Batman, Spiderman and The Avengers all clambering for superiority, who would’ve thought this no-budget found footage superhero movie would be the one they have to get the better of.
Rory Cashin
Rated 12A (see IFCO website for details)
Chronicle is released on 3rd February 2012
Comments
By gosh, I love this movie. Re-reading my synopsis makes me want to see it again. Full of eenellxct surprises and probably one of the most effective found footage’ films I’ve seen.