CHRONICLE

Moving On Up

Directed by Josh Trank
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Alex Russell, Ashley Hinshaw

Found footage films are nothing special these days. From Blair Witch Project to Cloverfield, the idea of putting the camera itself inside the story of the film is nothing original. Superhero movies are also nothing special, as superpowers have become a staple in recent years. As a found footage film about a group of teens that get superpowers, Chronicle might not sound like the most original flick around but tied with some engaging editing and great pacing it manages to pull off a thrilling ride.

The film starts as young Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan) turns on his old, outdated camera, a point of view most of the film is told through. He’s pointing it at his bedroom door as his abusive father starts violently banging it down. Andrew shouts out that he is recording everything he does to him from now on, a threat that makes his father retreat. Making his way to school, he gets his usual ride in with his older cousin Matt (Alex Russell), camera in tow and sticking it in Matt’s face. Being the cooler, older cousin, Matt warns Andrew that carrying a camera around school will just alienate him even more from the other students but, used to being alone, Andrew shrugs it off.

As we watch the school through Andrew’s lens and personal narration, other kids pick on him, throwing the camera around as the helpless Andrew chases it down. Wanting to help his younger cousin find his footing, Matt forces Andrew to come to a large party in a field and try to lose some of his lonely tendencies. Camera in hand, Andrew and Matt head off to the party, and meet up with Matt’s friend Steve. Finding a large hole in an empty field emitting a strange noise, the boys go down to check it out. A weird, large, crystal looking organic machine rests at the end of the tunnel, and as the camera breaks down the lads start freaking out with bloody noses.

The camera is switched on again, sometime later, as the guys are throwing baseballs at each others heads. Since going down the tunnel they have started developing telekinetic (moving things with your mind) powers. Like a muscle, they realise they can get stronger by exercising their powers and before long they are moving more than mere baseballs. While they start out pranking people in parking lots, Andrew quickly evolves in to someone more sinister.

One of the brilliant things about this film that sets it apart from other found footage films is that the camera work starts off shaky, held in the hands of the boys, but one of the first things Andrew starts to do is control the camera with his mind. Slowly and smoothly panning it around them as they discover more of what they can do. The path of discovery to figure out their powers is also well paced, taking up the majority of the movie, not a simple scene like in most superhero flicks.

It may be predictable, not completely original and certainly won’t appeal to some people, but I think Chronicle has a good chance at becoming a cult classic. Something fans of the genre will refer to in years to come.

_TOM VARIAN