Having super powers doesn’t automatically make you a superhero.

The unique story angle and attack of Chronicle (2012) makes that clear and simple. Power affects people. How people react to power however, is an entirely different thing.

So how does one get super powers? Some get bitten by radioactive spiders. Others have their alien ancestors to thank. Some, well… attend a rave party, goof around into a freaky hole in the ground, encounter an unexplained power source and POOF! Powers.. That’s what happens to teenagers Matt (Alex Rusell), Steve (Michael B. Jordan) and Andrew (Dane DeHaan).

Doesn’t sound too glamorous right?

Well, that’s what Chronicle is. It’s a different spin on the superhero genre. Unlike most hero movies that focus on how awesome the (adult) hero is as he beats up bad guys and fights crime, Chronicle takes a closer look at how power starts, how it evolves and how it affects the lives of three teenagers.

The Approach

The movie is entitled Chronicle for good reason. One of the main characters, Andrew, is fond of documenting his life and his surroundings with the use of video cameras. That’s where the POV mostly lies. As for the rest of the film, it switches between surveillance cameras and mobile phone usisero (curious bystander) shots. To give you an idea, think Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity. Don’t worry, thanks to Andrew’s rapidly improving powers, the cinematography isn’t going to be shaky and unfocused throughout the entire film. He’ll even take care of the whole handheld-dilemma .

What the treatment shows is an intimate glimpse at the life of a young, troubled kid. The personal approach reveals to us how sad he is because of his sick mother, how badly his father treats him, how cruelly he gets bullied in school, and how very lonely he feels. Of course it also shows us the fun games that the trio plays as they explore their powers, the various experiments they perform to test their limits, and the nasty turning points in their relationship.

This fascination turned obsession of chronicling his daily activities is reminiscent of how most modern teenagers act today. Some do it with photos, Facebook status updates, tweets, and yes, even vLogs or video blogs. I think it’s a result of the need for self-expression mixed with the joy of having to talk to someone who will silently listen to whatever you have to say, which in this case is the technology.

Some might say that this camera technique is an attempt to look “indie” or the effect of being “low budget” but I don’t think so. It’s obvious that the semi-documentary style (for lack of a better term) was intended to help flesh out the emotions from the main characters. To give a raw and intimate attack. To make everything seem real.

Snazzy and Shiny Super Heroes

Speaking of getting real, I love how Chronicle gives a fresh take on the usual superhero story. Unlike Spiderman, Batman, Ironman and Captain America, the characters here aren’t shiny and perfect. They’re real people who battle the issues of having rare abilities. Just teens trying to go through highschool.

I know the story sounds a little similar to X-Men and Heroes, but in Chronicle there’s no real villain to battle. There’s no big mission. It’s all about the journey.

I think the cinematography supports this concept very well by not being too overtly “Hollywood”. Don’t get me wrong, there are special effects that are pretty well-made, but they were done in the grittiest, roughest form. Nothing snazzy. Nothing spectacularly grand. It’s simple and straight to the point.

The Characters

Chronicle stars three pretty unknown actors but that’s okay. For me, they did a great job at letting the audience into their lives. Steve is outspoken and very charming (which will greatly affect how he turns out in the film). Matt plays it safe and is what society will consider “cool” and “normal”. Andrew is disturbingly and deliciously tormented. But I really do have to give it to Dane DeHaan here. He does his role so well that you will surely feel all sorts of emotion for his character- hate, happiness, pity, anger and disbelief.

The Verdict

I LIKE IT! I like it a whole lot. I actually wish for this movie to have a part two- a very rare case btw.

If you haven’t seen it yet, please do so.

I promise you that this will be ten times better than the disappointing flops of a few weeks before (Underworld and Darkest Hour).

It’s a pretty great time to catch up on superhero roots before we embark on a summer filled with surefire hero spectacles packed with all the bells and whistles that Hollywood can buy (The Avengers anyone?). 

Chronicle is a very nice movie.

Chronicle is directed by Josh Trank. Written by Max Landis and Josh Trank.  

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