Product Details

• Actors: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly
• Directors: Josh Trank
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Dubbed: Spanish, French
• Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
• Audio Description: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: May 15, 2012
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (357 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005LAIGPA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,311 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Chronicle" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If you should come upon a glowing, possibly extraterrestrial object buried in a hole, go ahead and touch the thing--you might just get superpowers. Or so it goes for the three high-school buds in Chronicle, an inventive excursion into the teenage sci-fi world. Once affected by the power, the guys exercise the joys of telekinesis: shuffling cars around in parking lots, moving objects in grocery stores, that kind of thing. Oh yeah--they can fly, too: and here director Josh Trank takes wing, in the movie's giddiest sequence, as the trio zips around the clouds in a glorious wish-fulfillment. It goes without saying that there will be a shadow side to this gift, and that's where Chronicle, for all its early cleverness, begins to stumble. Broody misfit Andrew (Dane DeHaan), destined to be voted Least Likely to Handle Superpowers Well by his graduating class, is documenting all this with his video camera, which is driving him even crazier (the movie's in "found footage" style, so everything we see is from a camcorder or security camera, an approach that gets trippy when Andrew realizes he can levitate his camera without having to hold it). Trank and screenwriter Max Landis (son of John) seem to lose inspiration when the last act rolls around, so the movie settles for weightless battles around the Space Needle and a smattering of mass destruction. Still, let's give Chronicle credit for an offbeat angle, and a handful of memorable scenes. --Robert Horton

Product Description

Clear your thoughts for a "mesmerizing mind-bender" (Rolling Stone) that'll blow you away! Seen through the lens of a troubled teen's video camera, yet filled with eye-popping action and jaw-dropping special effects, Chronicle is as real as it gets. When three ordinary high school friends make an extraordinary discovery, they acquire amazing abilities beyond their understanding. But as their powers develop, so do their darker sides. Fun, harmless pranks soon lead to much riskier activities as the boys' "gifts" - and their lives - spin dangerously out of control!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 177 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars With great power comes great trouble February 3, 2012

By Ian VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Perhaps no other phrase in the comic book genre applies to daily life as much as Spider-Man's famous, "With great power comes great responsibility." Such a phrase has guided Spider-Man throughout his career, but occasionally the thought comes up: what if he didn't follow this famous mantra, and instead used his powers for selfish reasons? While "Chronicle" may not be related to Spider-man, it perfectly explores what would happen if the famous saying was ignored.

"Chronicle" follows three high school kids who have pretty ordinary lives: one is running for class president, one is the shy type whom nobody likes, and the last is the outgoing, energetic type. One night, while at a rave, the three come across something mysterious, and find themselves in possession of powers that allow them to manipulate things with their minds. As expected, they start off doing pranks (like using a leaf blower on skirts, for example), but as time goes on, being in possession of so much power can be dangerous...and even deadly.

Even among the glut of superhero and found-footage films, "Chronicle" manages to stand out, in most-part, due to that it's not really a superhero film: rather, it's really a story about how absolute power corrupts absolutely. While I was watching the movie, I was really surprised to find myself being more interested in the teens, rather then the powers they wield. All three are best friends, and they're good at heart, but are not above using their powers to mess with people's heads. Andrew, in particular, is one of the most interesting film teenagers I've seen in recent memory, due to his miserable home life, and how he reacts with his new-found abilities.... Yet, from the beginning, it's clear that the power is inevitably going to corrupt the teens, which leads to a extraordinarily powerful third act that that genuinely had me more interested in what Andrew and the others were going to do, and not in the action that was taking place around them.

Even though there have arguably been too many superhero and found footage films over the past few years, "Chronicle" manages to feel fresh and exciting. While it's faults are few (the CGI is at times a bit obvious), the strength of it's storytelling more then makes up for any flaws. It's an unexpectedly gripping and thrilling film that focuses on the emotional consequences of how extraordinary powers corrupt ordinary people, rather then on spectacle and action, as other films would have done, and for that, I highly recommend it. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly Surprised and Wanted More November 21, 2012

By Doug Park

Format:DVD

{4.5 stars}

Reading some of the other reviews of "Chronicle," I was a little reluctant to bother watching it. Yet another "found footage" film--maaannn, when are they going to realize that this technique has been done to death?--and there's not even any logical reason to use it here. Nevertheless, I was very impressed with what this film's creators were able to do. Really fine acting and storyline: The way the three very different protagonists interact is quite convincing. "Chronicle" also aptly portrays adolescent/high school existence, an age so many films screw up with clichés and stereotypes. Very true-to-life dialogue: Whoever wrote the script did an outstanding job. All the Greek morality play elements, the theme of hubris, etc, add a great deal. Special effects are good but not too Hollywood-slick, which makes them all-the-more convincing. Humankind's common desire, unaided flying, is portrayed without strings attached: The flight scenes are, well, awesome, and they also capture the complications of achieving this dream. Plenty of surprises--love the ending.

Still, "Chronicle" would benefit from a little more-in-general (only 84 minutes?!), which is, I suppose, the best sort of flaw a film can have.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars for a new wrinkle in the "found footage" style of filmmaking February 10, 2012

By M. Oleson TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

I'm pretty sure that I've seen most if not all of the genre now called "found footage" films, going back the grandmother of them all "The Blair Witch Project." I've liked some and not others pretty much like any other film. One common thread is a theme of dread, relatively unknown actors and filmmakers, and low budget. Fine, no problem. Director Josh Trank throws a few wrinkles into the camera footage by not limiting the filming to just one camera. This iteration incorporates a friend's use of a camera (school reporter doncha know), hospital security cameras, helicopter cameras, etc. and then shows it edited together to get the movie.

Our 3 teenage "heroes" being a little tipsy coming from a party find a big hole in the ground and decide to slip into it and see what's what. Some alien remnants (I guess) are discovered that put out some intergalactic emission that gives the 3 boys supernatural powers. As they discover their powers, they begin to innocently play tricks on each other and eventually other people. As their use increases, so does their strength. As one points out, the gift is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger it becomes. Eventually they do attain strength and even the ability to fly. In other words, Superman/boy without the costume.

One of the boys, Andrew (Dane DeHaan) has always been an outcast and socially shy. His mother is gravely ill with some undisclosed respiratory problem and his father is an out of work fireman who hits the bottle and his son. His cousin Matt (Alex Russell) is one of those cool kids but not in the athletic hierarchy. Finally there is Steve (Michael B. Jordan) who is at the peak of high school cool. An athlete, class president and on his way to a political career.... Eventually, Andrew realizes by using his powers he too can become cool, but alas he stumbles when he tries to bed one of his classmates. He's never the same. He becomes violent and tragedy ensues.

Cousin Matt becomes the eventual voice of reason and tries to reel in Andrew. The film certainly has its moments. The interaction between the guys seems legit. Yet there is something not quite right about Andrew complete personality change. It's like Bruce Banner changing into The Hulk. The other two are not affected this way. Even at a crisp 84 minute running time, the final flying/destruction sequence seems to go on forever. And I couldn't help thinking; did we really need to use the "found footage" technique with this story? Read more ›

40 of 53 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Realistic and riveting February 29, 2012

By Robert G. Splaine Jr.

Format:DVD

Another in a line of films portrayed as actual footage later found. Filmed documentary styles, the movie tells the story of three high school boys who encounter some sort of alien ship or something, and then acquire superhuman powers of telekinesis. Predictably, things spiral out of control for the three. This is a realistic, and quite good film about a young man with problems who is unable to control the powers he discovers. His two friends try to help, but they are unable to control him. This one was a pleasant surprise and is the best movie of its kind since Paranormal Activity.