The latest in the recent spate of “found footage” films to hit theaters (a genre that has spawned Cloverfield, The Third Kind and the Paranormal Activity films, amongst others), Chronicle is an ambitious attempt to add new depth to the superhero genre.
The film, which is shot as if it were footage edited together from the main characters’ video cameras (“I’m filming everything now,” one explains at the beginning), tries to ground the grand stories of superheroes and villains in the reality of everyday life. For the most part, it works.
One night after a party, three teenagers — depressed social outcast Andrew (Dane DeHaan, True Blood), his philosophy-spouting cousin Matt (Alex Russell, Almost Kings) and popular jock Steve (Michael B. Jordan, Friday Night Lights) — stumble upon a strange cave in the middle of a forest. Soon after, the three friends develop telekinetic powers. The film follows the group as they try to get a handle on their newfound abilities and their lives, both of which quickly start to spiral out of control.
Chronicle is at its best when it focuses on the day-to-day advantages of having super powers and gives its likable lead actors room to play around. It’s genuinely fun to watch as the trio does what any high school guys with super powers would do: Play pranks, cheat at beer pong and shoot Jackass-style videos in their backyards. DeHaan, Russell and Jordan have a nice chemistry, and their friendship feels lived-in and authentic.
Though they could have easily fallen into high school stereotypes, all three add impressive depth to their characters. However, when the film takes a late detour into action movie melodrama, it feels cheesy and forced; the realistic, grounded performances of the leads get thrown out the window in favor of shouting and comic book cliché.
It’s during the big action set pieces that the film’s handheld, amateur style feels both the most immersive and the most restrictive. Director Joshua Trank’s (The Kill Point) quick, mobile visuals create a sense of closeness that is visceral and exciting, as the audience is dropped, flipped and whipped around with the characters. At times, however, the thrill-ride style can become disorienting. The motion sick need not apply.
Chronicle tries to be all things to all people. Teen angst? Got it. An in-depth character study? Check. Badass superhero flick? Half of Seattle gets torn apart. Commentary on the alienating effects of technology? Yep, that too. Though it doesn’t get the balance exactly right, Chronicle should be applauded for effort. The slight film (only 83 minutes) manages to be exciting and inventive, a refreshing and realistic look at the superhero genre through the eyes of the teenage boys that make up its audience.
VERDICT: Grounded but fun, Chronicle is a welcome entry into the superhero canon.
diversions@umdbk.com
