Chronicle (*** out of ****)

I fooled myself into thinking that the shaky/personal camera angle was both dumb and done. I was wrong. It took the rather fantastic film Chronicle to show me the errors of my way. It takes that concept but instead of relying on it as a selling point, the film uses it just as tool for a bigger picture. Other pieces that almost finish this puzzle is its thrilling story, funny jokes and best of all; characters you can actually stand behind.

Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan) is a outsider in high school with a drunk and abusive father. The basic tough upbringing we've al seen in movies before, so let's spice things up. But before talking about that, let's finish out the cast. Matt (Alex Russell) is Andrew's cousin, their friends but not very close. Matt is kind and popular but also pseudo intellectual. Those pricks that learn solely to impressive others. In real life you hate these people but in film they make interesting characters. Then there is Steve (Michael B. Jordan) the live wire popular kid running for class president. Andrew has decided to film everything (a barrier between life and himself) so hence the shaky camera angle is introduced. The three boys at a party find a hole in the field and climb in to discover something. With out going into too much detail (better to see for yourself), they gain the power of telekinesis. 

For the first hour they discover the limits of their powers and have fun. This part of the film is so delightful I never wanted it to end. It felt like the audience too had the power and was experiencing all this joy with our trio. It won't be all fun and games in the end. I'd imagine if you gave the average person telekinesis they would abuse the power for their own gain (lots of stealing). I actually looked forward to the eventual change I thought was sure to come. One of the leads does turn (I'm sure you already know but I won't say) to darker sides but in a shallower way. Instead of going crazy I'd have like to see a character that even when doing something wrong still seems so right. That fact (among other things) makes the final act a tad outlandish. A shame because I had loved everything up until this point. There are some minor flaws in logic outside of the ending, but the finished product is still too strong. Chronicle is one not to miss. It is far to much cinema fun.

*** out of ****