Chronicle [2012]
The “mockumentary” style of storytelling has always been linked to comedy and, most recently, horror. Filmmaker Josh Trank uses those techniques in his new, low-budget, sci-fi flick Chronicle. With inventive camera work and storyline, as well as a solid, practically unknown set of actors, Trank deals with themes that we’ve definitely seen before, namely in coming-of-age and/or superhero movies, but told in a fresh, organic way. These kids act and speak and live like real people, not cinematic stereotypes. Watching these teenagers discover and enjoy their newly acquired powers instead of wanting to save the world is certainly a breath of fresh air. Like life itself, Chronicle has its doses of action, drama and comedy. What it definitely could’ve used is a cleaner ending. The sloppy, unjustified climactic sequence had no place in what was shaping up to be an outstanding entry in the science fiction canon; it feels as if it was written by a 10 year-old. What a buzzkill.
I had the exact same reaction. Great start, lousy end. Your use of the word “buzzkill” in this context is a bit odd, but kind of funny. Nice review!
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I rarely like movies about people with special powers. There’s been plenty of positive buzz, so I will check out the Blu-ray, but I won’t go and see it in the theater.
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It’s a shame you weren’t too keen on the ending, and it certainly does take away a little from the massive build up all the way through. I really loved this one though, it was one of my most anticipated films of the year and didn’t let me down.
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