Chronicle (2012)

When it’s over, with great power comes great responsibility as this film clearly illustrates when three teenagers, Andrew, Matt, and Steve (Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan,) stumble upon an unknown substance that gives them telekinetic powers.  The three friends are intrigued by their new gifts, and what starts out as harmless pranks evolves into serious harm to others, when their friendships are put to the test and their darker egos are unleashed.   I had mixed feelings about this film.  I really liked the story and the questions it addressed about responsibility, acceptance, and friendship.  It’s a superhero tragedy without the glory or greatness that superhero films are synonymous for.  But, on the flip side, I think this film would have been much better had it been better structured.  The film had a really good beginning and a powerful ending, but gets lost in the middle.  It spent a lot of time showing the characters learning to use their powers, but doesn’t develop a secondary story that puts the power into the role as a character.  For example, the filmmakers could have developed a side story where the friends decide to use their power to save lives, but without understanding the responsibilities and consequences, the power, instead, is used for selfish gains.  The power becomes a character that moves the story forward, building conflict and motivation.  As much as I liked the ending, I didn’t feel it to be justified, mainly in part, because of the huge lull, occurring in Act 2.  Chronicle reminds me a lot of Carrie (1976) as there are strong similarities in Andrew’s character and how that character succumbs to the “dark side” after being bullied and abused.  Carrie worked, because it had character development and story build-up, where Chronicle failed on both counts. 

My rating: 2.5 out of 5