The hand-held/POV (point of view) style of filmmaking is definitely not a new phenomenon in the world of cinema. Beginning with the cult classic “The Blair Witch Project” in 1999, moviegoers have witnessed many of these “recovered footage” style films popping up through the years. Films such as “Quarantine,” which failed to bring anything new to the genre, and films like “Cloverfield” and “Paranormal Activity,” which successfully capitalized on the style. One constant this style had not seemed to break free of was the “horror” genre. Well, “Chronicle” is the film that finally breaks that mold.
While “Chronicle” employs the use of large-scale disaster plot lines like “Cloverfield,” it also unlocks the door to new material. “Chronicle” tells the story of a high school social outcast who, along with two unlikely friends, finds that the power of telekinesis has been bestowed upon him. As they learn how to use and hone their new skills, by innocently harassing their fellow schoolmates and peers, the line between morality and immorality begins to blur. The trio begins to question what this power really means and how far one will go when they suddenly become the “Apex Predator.”
The writer of the film, Max Landis, attempts to answer the age-old question: “What if I could fly?” Or “What if I had SUPERPOWERS?” Any comic geek will realize right away that this film is the newest addition to the “Superhero” genre. While it may not seem like it at first, this film covers all the bases for your everyday superhero plot, from the innocent civilian who is unknowingly granted super human abilities to the use of a costume in order to veil one’s identity from the public — even right down to the physically disfigured, morally unhinged antagonist. What makes this film so significant and unique is its ability to stay true to the mythos of the hero genre under the guise of 
absolute reality.
By setting this film in the “real world” the audience is able to relate directly to what is happening onscreen without the disconnect of cinema magic. This makes the whole experience so much more visceral and concerning to the viewer. By watching these three boys deal with their gift in such a relatable/realistic fashion, the audience really gets the sense that they have seen what it would actually be like if they were given superpowers. More so than if you were to watch Spider-Man pummel a giant fifty-foot human lizard mid web-swing.
“Chronicle” also takes the POV camera style to a level that audiences have never seen before. Unlike its predecessors, in which a single cameraman wields a single camera around the entire film, “Chronicle” uses every camera that may realistically be around the action at any given point. This includes cell phones, security cams and even just other people who happen to be filming something. This allows for much more in depth story telling and physical awareness for the viewer.
The director, Josh Trank’s tactful use of this method never crosses the line into blatant shortcutting on the filmmaker’s behalf. Trank utilizes the fact that the characters can actually control the camera by their telekinesis, which creates a break away from the shaky-cam into beautiful gliding shots from above, around and underneath as the boys send the camera floating through the air.
While the dialogue used to set up the action of the film seemed somewhat forced at times, the overall tone and plot was top notch. Some people have problems with understanding why someone would realistically carry a camera around for so long. “Chronicle” creates a very realistic and humanistic reason for this boy’s need to have his camera at all times. The acting on all fronts, especially the three main characters is fantastic and, above all, believable in the real world setting. The film also has a way of shifting focus and protagonists throughout the film so that the story never becomes dull or single tracked.
Even if you are not one for the action superhero films, this film is so deeply rooted in human struggle and emotion that even those more attracted to the dramatic will be pleasantly surprised with the depth “Chronicle” is able to achieve.
