Chronicle

[Mikasa Ackerman]

This was quite good. I'm glad I first saw it before it blew up, because my expectations being low made for a very pleasant surprise. Low expectations were mainly attributed to it being a found footage film, a subgenre I've come to despise. In saying that I rewatched it again this year and it's still as good as I remember.

 

The chemistry between the three leads might be my favourite aspect of the film; I don't know whether it's down to the script, or the actors, or the direction, but the chemistry makes every character interaction feel natural, and makes the darkness of Andrew's heel turn resonate fully. For a movie about kids with superpowers, the action was sparse, and that serves the film well. The lack of big set pieces allows the friction tension of the film to build slowly (juxtaposed beautifully by Andrew's camera getting more steady), giving more weight to the final fight. Them using their powers for pranks (and learning how to fly) is also just a lot of fun to watch.

 

My only real complaint is the final scene. I like the idea of Matt taking the camera to Tibet, but I wasn't a fan of the "I'm gonna try be good now" monologue. I think just flying there and setting the camera down then flying away would have made the scene more effective right.

 

4/5