By Cameron Braunig, Staff Writer
Following the exploits of average teens Andrew (Dane DeHaan), Steve (Michael B. Jordan), and Matt (Alex Russell), Chronicle begins when the friends encounter a mysterious entity that – after afflicting them with days of bloody noses – results in the trio developing advanced telekinetic abilities. The boys quickly discover that their newfound superpowers can be manipulated, honed, and strengthened which results in the ability to control larger objects, as well as mimic other traditional enhanced “abilities,” such as flight and invulnerability. However, as their powers increase, so does their potential to unintentionally (or intentionally) cause harm to others. Ultimately, the friends agree to keep their abilities in check, but it’s a delicate balance that one member of the group – the proverbial loner who has suffered physical and emotional abuse at home and at school – isn’t as ready to accept.
Found-footage films have become an increasingly bankable and low-risk prospect for movie studios, which is a method of compiling films partly or entirely of footage that has not been created by the filmmaker, but the actor, changing its meaning by placing it in a new context. It should not be mistaken for documentary or compilation films, nor should it be mistaken with stock footage filming.
Audiences continue to fill theater seats in search of the next compelling found-footage franchise, even if a film doesn’t sport high production values or recognizable actors. With that being said, the genre has typically enjoyed its biggest successes with horror fans and is mostly untested in other film categories. With Chronicle, first-time feature-film director Josh Trank tries to deliver compelling character drama and entertaining onscreen action, as well as prove that there’s more opportunity in the genre than just spooky jump scares.
As moviegoers become more selective about the never-ending flood of superhero and found-footage “me too” projects available to them, it would be easy to write off Chronicle as just another trendy cash-grab. However, after a string of less-than-satisfying faux “documentaries” (such as The Devil Inside) and high profile, but ultimately uninspired hero flicks (such as Green Lantern), it’s safe to say that Chronicle is poised to genuinely surprise a lot of moviegoers with intriguing characters, cool visuals, and an increasingly gripping central storyline.
