Sunday 5 February 2012

Chronicle

The BAFTAs and Oscars still lie ahead of us but the multiplexes have already moved on from Oscar Season. The award-standard films of January haven given way to the ever-interesting February, a typically unpredictable and experimental month. Expect everything from rom-coms to horrors to Muppets and even the re-release of The Phantom Menace in 3D.


February can often be good for an unexpected sleeper hit or two... which brings us to Chronicle.


Chronicle came out of nowhere so you would be forgiven for letting it slip under your radar. Consider it a mix of Cloverfield and X-Men or - better yet - Carrie for the YouTube generation.

It tells the story of Andrew (Dane DeHaan) a teenager bullied both at school and at home with a terminally-ill mother. His life changes when he stumbles upon a mysterious crystal along with his lovesick cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and the most popular kid in school Steve (Michael B Jordan) and suddenly the three develop telekinetic superpowers. Initially over-the-moon, the three teenagers soon discover that superpowers are only the beginning of their problems.

Admittedly, with so many comic book films released every year, the plot is nothing new. However, Chronicle is a member of the 'found-footage' sub-genre and that is where its originality lies. Until now, found-footage films have largely focussed on horror films (Blair Witch, Paranormal Activity) and monster movies (Cloverfield, Troll Hunter). But it was only a matter of time before superheroes were given the found-footage treatment.

The huge benefits of the genre are correct and present: a talented bunch of unknown actors, an unmatched gritty realism, a sense of utter immersion in the story-telling and modest but clever use of special effects (if only Transformers took the same approach, DreamWorks could have saved hundreds of millions). Found-footage films are also produced on a comparatively low budget and so they are a great springboard for a new director, such as Chronicle's Josh Trank.

Trank, at the disgustingly young age of 26, has proven himself a confident and adept talent to watch over the next few years. He negotiates the found-footage genre with ease, invoking humour in the early stages when the boys make home videos and prank customers in a toy shop but equally able to handle the CGI and chaos of the film's climax. 

Trank also finds smart ways to sidestep the usual limitations of the genre. For instance, the lead character uses his power to levitate his own camcorder so he can film himself from a variety of angles very early in the story. This essentially allows for a 'phantom cameraman,' which is a convenient plot point in order to avoid any awkward 'How would this be filmed by the character?' moments. Equally, as the chaos escalates and the main characters put their camcorders down, Trank cuts rapidly to CCTV cameras, news footage and any available floating smartphone to capture the action. It is a clever move, staying true to the rules of the genre without ever cheating (as opposed to, say, District 9, where the second half of the film completely abandons the camcorder viewpoint).

It would be a shame to say too much about Chronicle as it would detract from the experience. As with many found-footage films, the less you know beforehand the better. Suffice it to say: remember how you felt when you first saw Blair Witch? Prepare to feel that way again. Chronicle is original, refreshing, captivating, edge-of-your-seat film-making. 

And it is your new favourite film.

★★★★★

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