Bryan Creason

Entertainment Editor

   In the new genre ‘found footage,’ the film is supposedly ‘discovered’ amateur video shot with a camcorder. A recent flood of these movies includes Cloverfield and The Devil Inside after The Blair Witch Project opened the gates in 1999. The response for these recent films has varied, though many agree that the filmmaking technique has become cliché. Thankfully, there is always an exception to the rule, and Chronicle is that exception.

    The film follows Andrew, who starts chronicling his life with an old camcorder he bought. We’re introduced to his home life, which is far from pleasant. His father is an abusive drunk, while his mother is slowly dying of some unspecified disease. School is just as bad, as Andrew is bullied and eats his lunch alone. His life seems pretty abysmal until Andrew, his cousin Matt, and popular-kid Steve find a mysterious object in a dark hole that gives them telekinetic powers, or the power to move objects with their minds. They play around with their powers until Andrew accidentally hurts a rude motorist, and Matt decides they need rules. Andrew’s personal problems, however, drive him to a very dark place.

    The best thing about this film is how great the camera angles are and how clear the picture is, despite it being a ‘found footage’ film. The movie overcomes the limits of amateur video by allowing Andrew, who has the best control over his powers, to float the camera most of the time. This allows for gorgeous shots, and even panoramic shots, such as during the climactic battle when Andrew is ripping phones out of gawking onlookers’ hands and surrounding Matt and himself as they exchange heated words.

    This film is a nice addition to the many sci-fi films out there. It’s nothing that’ll win awards at the Oscars, but it’s good enough to go see at least once in theaters.