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Chronicle Film Review

Home > Sydney > Movie Reviews | Cinema
Published February 5th 2012
Image appears courtesty of Wikipedia

In 2002, Peter Parker, otherwise known as Spiderman uttered the following words: "With great power comes great responsibility."

If only the three telekenetic teens in the new movie Chronicle had taken these words to heart.

A little like a modern day Carrie, this movie documents three teens who are all suddenly given the power of telekinesis. For those not in the know, telekinesis is the power to move things with your mind. No, not like when your partner throws your apple off the table and yells, "Look Becky, telekinesis". Very funny.

This movie gave me hope for films of the future. It has been some time since I have seen something a little different. For me, Chronicle broke that usual superhero mould. This is something much more believable and realistic, which is a nice change after an overdose of hero films over the last 10 years.

The story begins with three boys who crawl in to a hole in the ground. Something happens down there which is unexplained, but leaves the boys with telekinetic powers.

Andrew (Dane Dehaan) is one of the three boys with the least amount of luck in life. He is constantly bullied, has a mother who is on her death bed, and an ex-firefighting alcoholic father who is basically a big 'ol jerk. The film is shot through the eyes of Andrew and his video camera, which is a nice change when it works in with the story. And, unlike Blair Witch, you'll be happy to know that the camera movement isn't vomit worthy.

Andrew's cousin Matt (Alex Russell) is more popular with the school crowd. He is always doing his best to get Andrew involved in more social situations, but finds it hard. Then there's Steve (Michael B. Jordan), who is the popular class president, and ends up in the hole with Andrew and Matt.

The boys just fool around with their powers to begin with, like moving a ladies car to a different parking spot when she is shopping, and waiting for her to come out and look for her car. For me, this was the perfect way for the film to go. Here we have three teens, unsure of a power they've only just discovered, and the things we see them do are just what you would expect from a bunch of teens. It would be unrealistic for them to head out and become overnight superheroes. It gave the film more realism, and added to the creepiness as Andrew's life begins to spiral.

As Andrew's life gets progressively worse, he begins to use his telekinesis for the worse. After a bit of research on the subject, and realising where he can go with his powers, Andrew gives in to the temptations of power controlling his unstable world, and gets a little out of control.

This film had me from start to finish. I liked that the actors are basically unknowns, and perfectly cast might I add. As the film progresses, it goes from a laid back kind of vibe to a nail biting climax.

Every element of this movie is almost perfect, apart from the fact that at times you wonder where the camera is shooting from if it's meant to be Andrew's camera, especially towards the end. But honestly, as the film is reaching it's peak, it's one of the last things you're thinking about.

I haven't had a chance to see too many films this year, but this is definately the best so far for me. Check out the trailer. No doubt after watching it you'll be intrigued enough to go and see it yourself - that is if my review hasn't not done so already.

9 out of 10.

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