Chronicle

Got It All On Film

Taking a look at the trailer for this film didn't exactly get my hopes up. The trailer made the characters look like uncaring jerks, who just spend the whole movie messing about and not caring what happens, something that seems common nowadays in horror movies, much to fan displeasure. However, the filmmakers clearly just needed a better looking trailer, as the film itself is very enjoyable.

Very early on in the film, we realize that our three main characters are very likable people. Yes, they have their bad moments, but they are very outweighed by their nice attitudes and genuine affection for each other. Not to mention, none of these characters are remotely stupid, one even has a profound sense of philosophy. They feel like real people, who can be jerks if they want to, but most of the time are very fun to be with and have a lot to say.

The film is shot similar to Blair Witch or Paranormal Activity, everything we see was recorded onto a camera, but it really isn't a found footage film like those are. Around twenty minutes or so into the film, we learn that any camera used by a character can and will become a POV shot in that scene, and the first video camera used for footage it outright lost, the trio never get to find and edit the footage. So the film is more of a POV film with camera being the POV, than found footage, which is a clever way to avoid the question "Just how did this footage all get edited together like this". We even get soundless, black-and-white security cameras in two scenes, the later during the climax. Said climax is very innovative, switching being points of view to capture completely different angles, and really catching your attention.

The film manages to be funny, depressing, action-packed, and downright frightening, all when it needs to be. Chronicle is a good watch, and well worth your money. It's 3.5 out of 5 stars. Skip the terrible trailer, and check out the film for yourself.