Review: Chronicle (2012, Josh Trank)

Chronicle takes two recently overused film genres – the found footage and the superhero film – and combines them to produce something that may not be wholly original but is interesting and different.

Three friends – Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew (Dane DeHaan) and Matt (Alex Russell) – gain the ability of telekinesis after uncovering a mysterious object in a crater one night during a party. The three become closer after the incident and begin to experiment and develop their power until they learn – the hard way – that great power comes with great responsibility.

Andrew is at the centre of the film: his father is abusive and his mother is sick and he decides to start filming all of his experiences. Andrew’s story sounds almost like the generic superhero origin but as the film continues, Andrew gets a lot darker and ceases being Peter Parker and instead becomes something… else.

The first two acts of Chronicle are the strongest due to the interaction between the three actors, who all give solid performances, particularly Michael B. Jordan, who often stole the show as Alex in Parenthood or as Wallace in The Wire. Jordan has the potential and the charisma to be a big star and I hope this film gives his career a boost.

The third act, like most superhero films, devolves into a big fight between the hero and the villain that still manages to be quite exciting despite the dodgy special effects (which are unavoidable on such a small budget). By this point the filmmakers obviously felt limited by their decision to tell the whole story through Andrew’s camera and instead show us the climactic battle through the cameras, phones and other assorted devices of everyone watching.

The majority of the film’s problems are a result of its form: Chronicle has the same problems that every found footage film has. You’ll ask yourself the usual questions – Why are they still using the camera? Who actually edited this thing? – but the film continues full steam ahead regardless (and at least there was an actual valid reason for why Andrew started to film everything).

Chronicle doesn’t really bring anything new to the table but it does offer an interesting perspective on two rather tired genres. It is an impressive debut feature from director Josh Trank and writer Max Landis, who are clearly both big superhero fans. I am interested to see how the two proceed from here and I hope they can tell a story like this without relying on a gimmick like found footage to sell it.

****