Gravitating towards the disturbingly unimaginable, “Chronicle” reckons what teens are capable of when given such endless overwhelming powers.
20th Century Fox brings Josh Trank’s debut feature film to the big screen – “Chronicle,” like so many of us, the lead teen actors portray regular everyday people obsessed with chronicling their lives, however mundane – or in their case, however extraordinary. For Andrew, Matt and Steve have stumbled upon something beyond their – or anyone’s – understanding. Their discovery leads them to acquire powerful telekinetic abilities; in graphic novel parlance, they have superpowers.
They’re now capable of, well, almost anything. They can move objects just by thinking about them, crush cars through force of will. They learn to fly…the ultimate wish fulfillment. Then things get dark.
What would you do if it happened to you? What would you be capable of? Those are the intriguing questions posed by “Chronicle,” a new film unlike any you’ve seen before. It’s a superhero movie that’s not really a superhero movie. On the surface it belongs in the relatively new sub-genre of “found footage” or “P-O-V” films, but it turns their conventions on its head. It’s thrilling, yet relatable; rich with creatively conceived and executed camera work and visual effects, but grounded in reality.
So, what would you do if you suddenly obtained abilities beyond comprehension? Would you don a special suit, fly off, and battle evildoers? If you were a teenager, the likely response would be: hell, no. You’d have a blast with them, pull elaborate pranks, and maybe exact revenge on those who’ve wronged you. Maybe those powers would amplify your less noble qualities. Or worse.
“Chronicle” opens February 2 in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
