Chronicle is the best found footage film ever made. It's that simple. Up until this point, I felt that Paranormal Activity was due to its originality. It was also the only film that I felt fully legitimized the use of the cameras in a non cinematic way. Cloverfield came close with it's use of taped cameras. However there were moments in Cloverfield where in reality the individuals involved would have turned the camera off or at least had the camera away from the action(i.e. the Subway sequence). It felt too convenient and forced. I understand that filmmaking is supposed to suspend the belief of reality, but it is hard to dissociate yourself with what is taking place and having a camera man documenting everything even as you are being chased. However Chronicle completely resolves this issue in the most creative way yet. It is ingenious, however I only see this method working in this film, which adds to the brilliance.
The story centers around three individuals who due to unexplainable circumstances gain access to superpowers. While that sounds childish, it actually is developed nicely. It allows for the film to focus on the effects rather then the cause. Plenty of films that come out now feel the need to explain everything to the audience, instead of allowing the audience to come up with their own theories. This film explains nothing, it suggests theories but the film has no absolutes.
The film also starts by giving a reason for the recording to take place. Andrew, the stories central character, is physically abused by his father and is bullied at school, so the camera allows him to document his entire life.A nice touch is the first camera that the Andrew uses is a Canon XL-H1, which is a taped camcorder that shoots in standard definition. You can visibly see the resolution difference when the film is projected on the screen. The film cuts nicely and feels like how someone would actually shoot with a camera in real life. For example there are moments when the camera faces the ground or when the camera operator turns the camera off like a normal person.
One night his cousin Matt invites him to a rave so that he can get out and enjoy life. Since he records at all time, he inadvertently starts a problem with one of the drunk high school kids. After the conflict Andrew leaves the party and waits outside by a tree, crying to himself. After a short while, Steve Montgomery walks out to Andrew. Steve is the school's Mr. Popular. He is running for class president and is always the center of attention. Steve knows Andrew records events and so he invites him to join himself and Matt to a special place they found. They claim that a mysterious sound is emitting from a hole in the ground. Andrew willingly agrees and eventually makes his way into this hole. After some unexplainable events, the camera cuts out. The story resumes a few weeks later.
After a result of the incident in the hole Andrew's original camera is now broken so the group buys a new camera, a Canon HD camcorder with a hard-drive. The characters joke that they no longer have to use tape and they can continuously record now. It's a funny joke to those of whom are familiar with either tape or film cameras.
It is revealed that the incident in the hole has granted the three young men special abilities. As the film progresses and each but eventually Andrew is able to move the camera anywhere at any moment. This allows for my favorite aspect of the film. Finally we are able to have plausible cinematic angles without having to break the illusion of the found footage genre. The dynamic angles are completely plausible because they are set up that way. It works and is a brilliant addition to the film.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD: The best example of this is during the climax of the film. Andrew and Matt face off at the Space Needle in Seattle. While in mid-air, Andrew breaks the windows of the Space Needle and grabs all of the nearby cameras and puts them all around himself and Matt, completely covering the action. This allows for the film to cut to multiple different aspects without breaking the illusion that this is in fact a found footage film. END OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS.
For the sake that I believe everyone should see this film knowing as least as possible, I will not discuss plot. You should not watch the trailer either because I believe it spoils too much of the film. Sadly I feel this way about most trailers, which is why I try to avoid them.
4/4 Muffins
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