Andrew, one of the main characters of the movie Chronicle, can identify with Peter Parker: if you are a high school pariah and inherit superpowers, you are still a pariah. Unfortunately for Andrew, the part of Aunt May is played by misguided drunk dad. Andrew has no one to go to for guidance except his friends who share his secret. This flaw drives the story in “Chronicle,” a strong entry into the found footage/high school/superhero genre (What do you call that anyway?).
The merging of these three genres creates a fun, unique tale of 3 friends: Andrew Detmer, the outcast who chooses to film his personal tale; Steve Montgomery, the “Ferris Bueller” of the group; and Matt Garetty, Andrew’s cousin and the social link between Andrew and Steve. When the three find an alien object that gives them telekinetic powers, they do what any kid would do: bring the item to show and tell to impress all of their friends. As their powers continue to grow, they begin to debate placing restrictions on their powers, versus becoming pioneers for the evolution of humanity.
If what I described sounds like a standard superhero origin story, then that is correct. What makes this movie so engaging is the execution. The scenes where the three learn to use their new powers are some of the most enjoyable scenes of the movie because of how grounded in reality the process is. Those little scenes also provide strong character building to help personalize each of the 3 friends.
The found footage conceit is executed fairly well, although it does feel forced from time to time (there is a love interest used to create a different vantage point). The special effects, while I wouldn’t say are first rate, are good when they have to be, and they serve the story well.
Director Josh Trank and his 3 leads: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan (working the Michael J. Fox angle with the middle initial) have helped craft a good entry to all three genres it exists in. I just hope, if I ever develop superpowers, that I end up more like Peter Parker than Andrew Detmer.