7) Chronicle
Found-footage films frequently walk a fine line between unique visual technique and cheap gimmick. Luckily, Chronicle falls into the category of the former, and is easily one of the more enjoyable and well-executed entries into the sub-genre.
Directed by Josh Trank, who has now been given 2oth Century Fox’s reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise, Chronicle stars Dane DeHaan (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station, Fantastic Four) and Alex Russell (Carrie) as three Seattle high-school teenagers who stumble upon an unknown object that gives them telekinetic abilities.
Over time, they begin to bond and experiment with their abilities, eventually learning to harness telekinesis for a variety of purposes, including flight. They first use these powers for harmless teenage mischief and personal gain, but DeHaan’s character eventually goes down a darker path and begins using them for more sinister purposes.
The found-footage effect is presented in a believable way, as most of the film takes place from footage picked from a camcorder that the characters carry around with them. As the action in the film gets bigger, the footage expands slowly into other recording devices, which perfectly fits the film’s growing stakes and ambition.
Chronicle cost a mere $12 million to make and grossed $126 million. Despite its initial success and acclaim, Fox has had a particularly hard time getting a sequel off the ground. That’s okay, though, because Chronicle will survive just fine as a standalone gem in the alternative realm of superhero cinema.
Published: Sep 10, 2014 10:15 pm