'Chronicle' a Fresh Take on Superheroes

By CHRISTOPHER VELLUCCI

You may have seen a hundred superhero movies, but you’ve never seen one like “Chronicle.” If you constantly dream about super powers, or find yourself trying to move your pencil across your desk rather than studying, then Chronicle needs to be on your radar.

For those who haven’t seen the trailer – see it. It’s got a “Chronicles of a Death Foretold” feel to it as you know what’s coming. Also, given the knowledge of what’s to come, you catch the subtle hints as Matt, one of the main characters, quotes a philosopher’s take on the strength of an individual being their will.

The film starts with Andrew, the social outcast and villain, in his room. He’s the main focus of the movie as he is the chief cameraman. We see that he is victim to an abusive alcoholic father, a rough neighborhood, and that his mother is on the verge of death. You know he’s the villain, but you feel for him and understand how he could get power hungry.

During an over-the-top high school party, Andrew, Matt, and Steven stumble upon an underground cavern, which mysteriously gives them telekinetic powers. The movie follows them as they develop their powers to move objects, create barriers, and eventually fly. After Andrew finds it funny to run a man off the road by carelessly saying “Abra Cadabra,” you begin to wonder how far is too far. You also watch Andrew mature his powers much faster than the other two with more finesse but less caution.

The director, Josh Trank, does a phenomenal job of capturing the wide-eyed eagerness of three high school students mastering newfound abilities. As their strengths are revealed, the audience is included in the sense of awe and wonderment that the three friends feel. Trank uses the growing popularity of “found footage” cinematography, but realizes its limitations.

Any and all limitations are overcome though as the perspective of other cameras in the movie are used and Andrew perfects the ability to levitate the camera around him.

“Chronicle” is a perfect 83 minutes long, with a lot of raised questions and few answers. However, if you were given unlimited power would you ask questions or play football in the sky? Not to sound cliché, but the movie really does explore the idea of “with great power, comes great responsibility”.

Image courtesy of upcoming-movies.com