Chronicle Review

Went to see this low budget gem fairly late after a recent rehearsal, not sure what to expect.

Okay trailer, mild buzz from the States but then some of the reviews started to come in.

What a pleasant surprise this was. The story of three teens who happen upon a hole containing an object which causes each of them to have super powers.

This isn't like the Fantastic Four where they are subjected to the same experience and have different powers, they all are able to move things with the power of their minds.

We see them experiment with these powers. Causing trouble, playing practical jokes, entertaining themselves. But then one of them causes some serious harm and things begin to change between the boys, and inside themselves.

They also learn they can fly! And we see some of the best flying sequences put on film in a long time, if not all time. You believe you are flying with them, and with the "home camera filming" technique it all looks real and very appealing.

There are some plot holes (literally) that are evident but they are easily forgiven in the grand scheme of such an impressive film.

There were some literally "jaw dropping" moments in this film. The final ten minutes is breathtaking, as we see the true extent of the boys powers in the context of a city landscape. Helicopters, cop cars, people, buildings. Quite amazing. And like Cloverfield before it (but much better) we see top notch effects grounded in reality due to the lo-fi filming techniques that the story dictates.

Sure, I would loved the film to have been longer and seeing the boys use their powers to gain riches and female attention on a grander scale would have been amusing. But then again, that has already been done, and the way the powers consume the individuals, and it results in the bad decisions one of them makes, brings about a fresh and compelling feature debut.

Definitely a film I would love to see again on the big screen. The gauntlet has been set down in front of the other super power based films coming out this year, and on a fraction of their budgets.

And Mr Snyder, if the new Superman Man Of Steel flying sequences are NOT as exhilarating as the ones seen in this film then I will be sorely disappointed!!

5 stars out of 5