CHRONICLE
Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven
Opening in theatres this Friday from director Josh Trank and 20th Century Fox comes a story of friendship in “Chronicle”.
This film tells the story of Andrew Detmer (Dan DeHaan), a high schooler living an abused life through his new camera. Andrew’s father Richard (Michael Kelly) is an alcoholic and his mother Karen (Bo Peterson) is terminally ill and with Andrew’s shyness it is hard for him.
He does have his cousin Matt Garetty (Alex Russell), a popular high school teen who has taken his cousin in. Matt tries to get Andrew out of his shell. One night at a party, Andrew, Matt and friend Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordan) discover an opening in the ground.
What is in that opening changes their lives as the boys soon discover they have powers only hear about with comic book heroes! It all starts out small and harmless and fun, until Andrew begins to learn what it means that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” and friendships are brought to the limits.
FINAL WORD: DeHaan is very good as Andrew. He plays the role of the abused reclusive boy very well – just as he plays the destructive boy equally as well. There are some surprises, which will have audiences loving it.
Russell as the popular good-looking boy has the hearts of the teen girls going pitter pat. Being the good cousin is sweet and his ultimate decision difficult and heartbreaking. Jordan as Steve is fun, silly and sad. He brings all of that on hard and fast!
Other cast include: Ashley Hinshaw as Casey Letter, Anna Wood as Monica, Rudi Malcom as Wayne, and Luke Tyler as Sean.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Chronicle” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This is an interesting look at the dynamics of three guys who start out having fun, until the reality sets in.
In the 83 minute running time the film has a lot of story and the film tells it quickly. It is full of action that will keep the audience following along. The film is done with everyone having a camera, which has a message within itself that the world sees everything.
In the end – what are you capable of? | 
