Movies.ie

• Critic rating
• Currently 2/5 Stars.

Movies.ie Critic Review

Given that life at home is an Eminem video (terminally ill mum; permanently drunk father), unpopular high school teen Andrew (DeHaan) finds a ray of light through his new, if ridiculously large, DV camera. Taking everywhere he goes, we soon see Andrew is the bullies’ favourite at school, and far from the girls’ favourite. Luckily, there are two guys – popular school president candidate Steve (Jordan) and budding ladies man Matt (Russell) – who are willing to hang with Andrew, and they’re quick to take him to the mysterious cave they’ve found out in the woods. The one with the weird tremors and, they soon discover, a glowing orb that might as well be an oversized radioactive spider. For soon after, the three friends have immense telekinetic powers. Or, to be more precise, supernatural, lo-budget CGI powers.

THE VERDICT: Which, eh, they eventually put to use in a magic show during the school talent contest. A film with practically no plot and very little purpose, Chronicle starts off as The Video Diary Of A Wimpy Kid before going distinctly J.J. Abrams, with a cross between Cloverfield and, in the overblown finale, Carrie. There’s a lot to hate about this film. The main protagonist comes across like a teenage Jon Ronson. As this idiotic threesome guffaw their way through another supernatural prank, and begin talking about their feelings whilst perched atop a very tall building (they can fly, see), you long for Patrick Stewart to swing by and administer a severe mental beating. And then call one of them fat. Nothing. Really. Happens. These guys desperately need a nemesis. Besides me. The whole thing plays like a high school drama class project. If you liked Jumper, you’ll like this.

Review by Paul Byrne 

• Avg User rating
• Currently 3/5 Stars.

User Reviews

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  Beth

  

  A good film overall,however,I felt that it ended too abruptly. The hand held camera aspect was well done and not as annoying as I expected!

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  TheAngelicDiablo

  

  Proving the big budgets aren't always necessary for top tier superhero movies. Chronicle is 2 part Paranormal Activity to 1 part X-Men and 1 part Akira. A cult classic in the making.

• • Currently 2/5 Stars.

  ste_

  

  Good effects and a bit of fun but way too much teen angst. Trailer tells you all you need to know about the story, by the numbers.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  masonica

  

  Possibly the cleverest "found footage" film yet but thanks to some character you couldn't care less about and the plot being a bit too simple. Chronicle flies high but doesn't soar. The action scenes are very impressive and Man of Steel has a benchmark to beat.

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  Hadouken65

  

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  bigslick184

  

  I throughly enjoyed this movie. The trailer intrigued me and I went in thinking this will be an entertaining low budget movie. That it was. However im amazed at how they stretched the budget here. Great special effects and well filmed so you really feel you are experiencing these changes with the guys. Great popcorn entertainment.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  mart

  

  While most similar high-profile projects just consist of a lot of muscly guys wielding big weapons, zooming around outer space and saying forgettable stuff, this movie actually gives audiences something to invest themselves in.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  Chad

  

  Pretty good. Well filmed given the handheld camera style and the use of their powers to control the camera at times was a nice touch. Entertaining and will leave you wanting super powers!

• • Currently 4/5 Stars.

  Mr_Twist

  

  Loved this movie... on the most part well acted and directed - good use of the hand held camera - something i thought i was going to hate about this movie and I love the whole Akira finale sold 4 star movie enjoy it on the big screen while you can

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  vu1999uk

  

  While never quite clicking as a film, with the main characters never really getting that interesting( despite a strong start that resembles a straight school drama). Also all footage is camcorder footage except a few times where that logic goes out the window and it becomes straight cinema. But this film is saved in the last 20 minutes with a breathtaking finale with some wonderful special effects and visuals that make up for the dissappointing first hour.

• • Currently 3/5 Stars.

  filmbuff2011

  

  Chronicle is a reasonably smart sci-fi that combines the found-footage genre with an X-Men-style scenario. Three everyday teenagers discover what appears to be an alien spacecraft that looks suspiciously like Superman's escape pod. They gradually develop superpowers such as moving objects and even flying. However, one of them is a damaged teen who pushes his powers to Magneto-level cruelty. This all builds to a thrilling climax around the Space Needle in Seattle... There's nothing too original in Chronicle and there are flaws in the script, which features thinly-sketched characters. However, it's quite entertaining and even moderately thought-provoking. There may even be room for a sequel, which I wouldn't mind. Worth a look if you can't wait till summer for a superhero fix.