Chronicle

Watch a few randomly selected meaningless home videos about bored teens on YouTube loafing about, every now and then add in some random special effects, and you'll immediately have a sequel to The Chronicle that is indistinguishable from the “original"; if you're interested in the Thai remake, watch a few randomly selected meaningless home videos about bored teens in loafing about Thailand on YouTube... And you know the rest. (27.05.2012)

A very nice little film. It’s a fun, tense, undemanding (but not stupid) sci-fi snack that may look like a little brother next to this year’s upcoming sci-fi tentpoles like Prometheus, but, compared to last year’s In Time and Source Code, which are in the same category, Josh Trank, Chronicle’s director, delivers the best job. His film works simply far more smoothly in its universe. The found-footage format is at times as questionable as in every other found-footage film (why the fuck are they filming?!?!), but if you accept this, you’ll have fun. The climax is awesome. I went for a seven, got a seven, I’m satisfied. 7/10 (05.02.2012)

A novel approach to a superheroes movie. Trank’s experiment with found footage, this time not from one but from several cameras, worked out just great. The rotating shots are effective, especially thanks to Andy’s well-practiced telekinesis. The evolution of the three main protagonists is like out of a textbook (and a good job of acting). Basically, none of the characters behaves black and white and they have logical reasons for their actions. Setting the movie in Seattle gives a welcome touch of reality. For just a few bucks extra we are treated to more tasty visual morsels than any regular fan would expect. (07.02.2013)

Perhaps no other film set in the “real world” enjoys the denial of the world’s physical laws more than this one. Chronicle is a likable, tasteful and quite cool joyride. But it doesn’t have the same WOW! factor as Cloverfield – the screenwriter let his imagination go too wild to be taken seriously and achieve any tension. The effects are very good, however, and the film has some kind of an idea. Teen audiences should be satisfied. (31.01.2012)

Even when I was enjoying the universally loathed reboot of Fantastic Four, I knew that this director would be worth closer examination, and Chronicle confirms that many times over. But it's not just Josh Trank's merit. The script by Max Landis combines idealism and at the same time an upstart inflexibility, which are never closer to a person's heart as when they are in their late teens. Moreover, when all the usual clichés of a hero's origin are turned upside down and Dane DeHaan confirms that his style is is truly irreplaceable on the current scene, all that's left to be added is just the spice of Trank's predatory direction. The last twenty minutes constantly made me marvel at how these scenes were accomplished so effortlessly, while at the same time I could hardly restrain the wildly accelerated pounding of my heart. (04.01.2017)