Chronicle

A very nice little film. It’s a fun, tense, undemanding (but not stupid) sci-fi snack that may look like a little brother next to this year’s upcoming sci-fi tentpoles like Prometheus, but, compared to last year’s In Time and Source Code, which are in the same category, Josh Trank, Chronicle’s director, delivers the best job. His film works simply far more smoothly in its universe. The found-footage format is at times as questionable as in every other found-footage film (why the fuck are they filming?!?!), but if you accept this, you’ll have fun. The climax is awesome. I went for a seven, got a seven, I’m satisfied. 7/10 (05.02.2012)

Since Cloverfield, the only other standout found-footage film I’d seen was [REC], and honestly, nothing else really impressed me—until Chronicle. This movie is a gem. I’m usually not a fan of shaky cam, but when it’s done right, I can appreciate it, and Chronicle nails it. Everything you need to see is crystal clear. What blew me away was how they pulled off such massive destruction on a small budget. Half the city gets wrecked, and it looks not only realistic but absolutely fantastic. The final act is a full-throttle action ride with no missteps, and I loved every minute of it. Chronicle proves you can make a great movie with shaky cam as long as you give the audience something worth watching—and this one delivers plenty of that. (14.09.2012)

Perhaps no other film set in the “real world” enjoys the denial of the world’s physical laws more than this one. Chronicle is a likable, tasteful and quite cool joyride. But it doesn’t have the same WOW! factor as Cloverfield – the screenwriter let his imagination go too wild to be taken seriously and achieve any tension. The effects are very good, however, and the film has some kind of an idea. Teen audiences should be satisfied. (31.01.2012)

Even when I was enjoying the universally loathed reboot of Fantastic Four, I knew that this director would be worth closer examination, and Chronicle confirms that many times over. But it's not just Josh Trank's merit. The script by Max Landis combines idealism and at the same time an upstart inflexibility, which are never closer to a person's heart as when they are in their late teens. Moreover, when all the usual clichés of a hero's origin are turned upside down and Dane DeHaan confirms that his style is is truly irreplaceable on the current scene, all that's left to be added is just the spice of Trank's predatory direction. The last twenty minutes constantly made me marvel at how these scenes were accomplished so effortlessly, while at the same time I could hardly restrain the wildly accelerated pounding of my heart. (04.01.2017)

Watch a few randomly selected meaningless home videos about bored teens on YouTube loafing about, every now and then add in some random special effects, and you'll immediately have a sequel to The Chronicle that is indistinguishable from the “original"; if you're interested in the Thai remake, watch a few randomly selected meaningless home videos about bored teens in loafing about Thailand on YouTube... And you know the rest. (27.05.2012)