Borgarkeri A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

gregory-pajot-312-897136 I can see that a number of people enjoyed this movie, and on one hand the premise is interesting, but I felt entirely letdown by the second half of the film. Movies don't have to be totally realistic, but when they're well done, we should be able to "suspend our disbelief". Through a combination of sub-par plot development and scenes that felt too over the top, at times it just seemed silly. I also had difficulty with Andrew's character -- rather than finding myself emotionally invested in understanding and caring about his internal struggles, I largely just felt annoyed. I also felt like there should have been more depth to the "sci-fi" aspect: I felt unsatisfied by the lack of further development on how this all came about or if there was any deeper connection between the origin of the powers and any of the plot elements. Sure, we can be left to make our own conjectures, but the film gives little to build from.(Purposefully left this vague to avoid plot spoilers)

Screen_Blitz Normally when it comes to the found-footage genre, the first concept that comes to mind is a horror tale centered on characters fighting against paranormal entities or demon incarnates. Director Josh Trank offers something unprecedented in the category, a story that answers the question of what would do you have if you were a high school teenager with superpowers. It is a story, caught on documentary- style footage, following the bonding and friendship of three friends put to the test when they are acquired with an uncanny gift that goes beyond what their imaginations. And for those nervous about the found- footage genre's common filthy habits of contorting the action with eye-straining shaky cam, fear no more as Josh Trank makes a generous effort on reducing this gimmick to a minimum. But that's much of the surprise compared to the gripping narrative heft that writer Max Landis manages to pack in this 83 minutes science-fiction thriller. This film, set in Seattle, follows 17-year old Andrew Detmer (played by Dane DeHaan), a lonely young man struggling with an unpleasant home life perpetrated by his alcoholic father (played by Michael Kelly) who slaps him around like garbage and his mother who is bed-ridden and dying of cancer. If that is not enough, he is also forced to deal with bullies at school and has no one to turn to but his cousin Matt (played by Alex Russell). During a night of partying and dancing, he, Matt, and popular fellow student Steve (played by Michael B. Jordan) sneak into some deserted where they are plunged into a dark hole inhabited by a mysterious crystal. Before they know, they are granted with eerie telekinetic powers. The story then follows their adventures as they explore their powers which soon turns into the nightmare when Andrew develops a dark side and becomes using his powers for sinister purposes. Some may argue that this is a superhero origin story as it follows the journey of three teens gaining superpowers. However, it is hard to considered this for the superhero genre based on its approach. That is not to say this film doesn't inhabit a few components of a superhero flick. There is a supervillain, but the villain lies not among the characters but within the psychological nature of the lead character Andrew as he progressively transforms from an innocent kid to an emotionally disturbed youngster with anger and frustration consuming him from inside out. The emotional nature of the young man is established by scenes showcasing the harrowing relationship with his abusive father The film maturely handles this concept in a way that not only allows for some steady character development, but opens the door to an tightly gripping climax towards the end where Andrew struggles to come to terms of his slowly deteriorating innocence. This is greatly pulled off by a sufficient, if slightly jarring tonal shift from the first half following the lives of the three characters as they toy with their new powers in goofy activities like flying around the city and pulling silly pranks at a toy store, to the second half revolving around Andrew's emotional transformation. However, partial credit should go to Dane DeHaan who puts on a stellar performance, channeling the psychological disturbance and emotional fortitude of his character. And kudos to Josh Trank for effectively capturing the action, particularly the final sequence in downtown Seattle, without resorting too far into the common gimmicks of smearing the action with redundant shaky cam and frenetic editing.Chronicle is an exhilarating incarnation of the found-footage genre filled with fun, energy, and gripping spectacle. Of course, the film is no gamechanger for found-footage flicks, a category of films that have gained notoriety for their creative bankruptcy and the unfavorable cinematography that has hindered the experience of many movies in that crowd. Nonetheless, it is a nice little treat of both teens and adults. So step onboard!

Evelyn It was a supernatural movie. It was also a self-filmed movie by a group of teenagers. I liked the whole idea of the movie. It gave us lessons of humanity and how we should deal with our desires toward things. Often time people get over-desiring of what they want, using any ways. I think it's definitely fine to follow your dreams and to challenge yourself, but not when the method you use is against morals. I don't agree their way of using the power but it was a good lesson. If there are somewhere we can all become powerful, i wouldn't do it. because it is really a risk of relationships and lives. i didn't like the choices they made but the fact that it was a well set up movie.

Ewan Suttie Josh Trank may get a bad wrap for Fantastic 4, but Chronicle is something amazing. It uses the found footage genre, but in such a way that it's intense and makes you feel like the main character. The story centers around Andrew, a troubled and depressed teen with no friends or anyone to talk to. He likes to shoot things on his camera, yet is bullied for almost everything he does, including this. Without giving away too much, he quickly makes some friends after receiving telekinesis at a barn party. Because Andrew records everything, we feel like we are a part of him, like his imaginary friend and we begin to feel for him as he makes new friends. After a while, he begins showing his darker side, after trying to rescue is mother, dying with Caner, and being abused by his alcoholic father. His friends attempt to stop him from becoming depressed and resentful again, but he fights back, accidentally killing one of his friends in the process. The other, his cousin, knows exactly what he has done, and why he's filming everything, makes it the even more scary. But when he stops filming, the footage from car dash cams and helicopter cameras makes us feel as if we are no longer Andrew's friend, and we cannot help to feel sorry for him as he fights his only friend to the death.Overall, Chronicle is a very good film and for a low budget is phenomenal.