Chronicle (2012)

Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery underground. Soon they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.

Director:

Josh Trank

Writers:

Max Landis (screenplay), Max Landis (story)

Stars:

Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dane DeHaan	...	Andrew Detmer
Alex Russell	...	Matt Garetty
Michael B. Jordan	...	Steve Montgomery
Michael Kelly	...	Richard Detmer
Ashley Hinshaw	...	Casey Letter
Bo Petersen	...	Karen Detmer
Anna Wood	...	Monica
Rudi Malcolm	...	Wayne
Luke Tyler	...	Sean
Crystal-Donna Roberts	...	Samantha (as Crystal Donna Roberts)
Adrian Collins	...	Costly
Grant Powell	...	Howard
Armand Aucamp	...	Austin
Nicole Bailey	...	Cala
Lynita Crofford	...	Casey's Mom

Storyline

The shy, lonely and outcast teenager Andrew Detmer is bullied and has no friends at high-school and lives with his abusive and alcoholic father Richard Detmer and his terminally ill mother Karen. Andrew buys a camera to film his everyday life. His cousin Matt Garetty drives him to school and invites Andrew to go to a party at night. Nearby they find a tunnel and suddenly acquire telekinetic abilities and Andrew becomes the most powerful. But he easily loses his temper and becomes dangerous while Matt tries to control him. When his mother needs a medicine and Andrew does not have enough money to buy it, his darker side overwhelms him and he becomes a menace.

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Plot Keywords:

troubled teen | teen angst | found footage | high school | upskirt | 

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Taglines:

What are you capable of?

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kronika

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,004,098, 5 February 2012, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$64,575,175

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$126,636,097

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox,Davis Entertainment,Dune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The pink-haired girl played by Anna Wood, whom Andrew was making out with, was Dane DeHaan's (Andrew) wife in real life.

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Goofs

When the boys are testing their powers throwing the baseballs at each other, Steve throws one at Matt and it hits him in the face, right under the right eye. Next when Matt is throwing the ball at Steve, you see the bruise from the ball on his face, but it's by his left eye now.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Andrew Detmer: [as Richard tries to enter his room] What do you want?
Richard Detmer: Why is this door locked, Andrew?

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Crazy Credits

The closing credits are filled with static, like the end of a recording.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Gwen Stefani/Dane DeHaan/Damien Chazelle/Maggie Rogers (2017)

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Soundtracks

Party Hats
Written by Jon Von Letcher
Performed by Jet Horns
Courtesy of Jon Von Letcher
By arrangement with Zync Music Group LLC

User Reviews

Great Power, No Responsibility

Chronicle is not really a superhero movie. It uses its themes but none of the characters are using their powers for virtues and justice. It's all fun and games until they get into trouble. It's a great idea but it could have been filmed in a regular filmmaking style. The hand-held camera fails to make the film credible. Despite from that, the film tells a great story with a great twist. The actors are fun. The CGI is good enough. The film is short and small but it's undeniably exciting and really compelling than any other big blockbuster films we usually get.

Chronicle abandons the clichés of superhero films. Usually, when they discovered their powers, they use it to save someone and make their own costume and save the day. The movie asks, what will happen if teenagers in real life have superpowers? In this film, the kids are just recording themselves having fun with their powers. And one of them will use it more for revenge than saving the day. It's a clever idea.

It could have been filmed in a regular movie camera. The found-footage style is pretty unnecessary. The film doesn't need that to look credible. Also, there are too many random cameras and angles which is kind of awkward. Though, the shot was pretty good. But it's still unnecessary. The CGI works better in large objects. It looks dated when comes to the small ones like the spider and the legos. Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan are all fun together. It gets better in the third act. Dane DeHaan gives a great rage to Andrew. The climax is awesomely fun.

Chronicle may be short and small but it feels long and bigger. If only the film was shot in a regular style. But it still makes a great movie. The concept is great. It's fun, intense, and compelling enough to enjoy it in the big screen.