Chronicle (2012)

Chronicle, the new big hit film, filmed on a relatively low budget, and shot as though it were being filmed entirely either by the characters in the film or things like security cameras/police helicopters etc. and receiving some pretty damn good reviews all 'round. The only thing putting me off was a fairly average looking trailer. In the trailer some kids discover something in an underground cave whilst at a party and they develop super powers, one of them turns bad, the others must stop him. Doesn't sound particularly interesting or original. But as a whole I came out of the film feeling I'd seen something a little different and perhaps a relatively fresh take on an old genre. That being said, I don't feel the need to shout about it, and I'd be surprised if I ever saw this film again.

You see, any film that is filmed as though it is being filmed by the characters in the film I find that the rewatching value falls. I don't know exactly why, but I am struggling to think of any that I've felt strong positive emotions about. So maybe this film is actually a masterpiece like some publications are saying, and maybe I've just missed the point. Or maybe I haven't and the film is what it is, an interesting little film, but nothing special. The story is basically what the trailer lies out, there's a bit more about one of the characters abusive parents, this being one of the main causes of his violent outbursts with his powers, and a few fallings out between characters to keep things interesting, but other than that it's pretty basic stuff. The characters are pretty well laid out, and one of the great segments of this film is watching the kids learn to use their powers and explore them as best they can.

It's here that I praise the film for the simple reason that it is here that I found the characters reactions most interesting and honest. Whereas normally when a character learns of super powers they initially struggle with them and then suddenly they understand everything, here the characters all develop at different rates, have different methods and indeed excel in different areas like anyone would in real life. They also do what you would expect kids of their age to do, which is use them for mischief initially, until they realise what damage can be done.

After this the film gets a little predictable, with the abused kid turning bad and his cousin sorting him out. The fight is pulled off very well and the use of other cameras after the kids is destroyed is inventive and fun to see. However, on the whole the film left me a little cold, I didn't really care much about these characters, and the 'real world' feel it was trying to evoke, whilst working on some levels, just never felt like a real life experience. I guess after the reviews I was expecting more. So yeah, it's not terrible, it's not amazing, it is what it is.