It has become a new Saturday tradition for me since moving to Paducah.  Heading out to see a newly released movie.  So, at the beginning of each week, I will bring you a new "Monday Movie Review." 

This week, I'll take a look at the recently released "Chronicle," starring Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell and Michael B. Jordan.  Enjoy the review, and if you happened to see the movie this weekend, let me know what you thought!

Chronicle
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan
Runtime: 83 minutes (1 hour, 23 minutes).

Quick tidbit:
In a movie that got widely positive reviews, this half sci-fi, half teen-angst movie really seems to play only to a certain crowd.  Unless I missed something in that hour and a half in the theatre, with a grand total of three other people by the way, it just didn't seem to have the allure that the trailer promised.  The bottom line to me was a real lack of conflict.  80% of the movie was this group of high school friends exploring their new found superpowers, and only did the last 20 minutes really provide any real action.

Movie flow:
In a word, slow.  It was one of the longest hour and half movies I've ever been to, if you get my drift.  After these kids obtain their superpowers, you start to expect some excitement.  Now, I do like how they decided to build the superpowers over time rather than allowing the characters the ability to blow things up and learn how to fly in the matter of minutes.  With that being said, the building took way too long.  As every scene passed you were just hoping the next one would be the conflict we were all waiting for.  When that action did come along, it just seemed too late.  I was disinterested by the time the movie got exciting.  And could the final scene be any more of a letdown?  It's almost like they didn't know how to end the movie.  An earlier mention in the movie is tied in at then end and just when you expected more, in come the credits.  Disappointing.

Final thought:
I don't know what it is about professional movie reviewers, but I just can't see what part of the movie allowed for a positive review.  Maybe they look into things like cinematography and shooting, etc.,  but my reviews are based purely off of entertainment value and to me this movie was lacking.   Only die-hard moviegoers look past the plot line and only in big-budget films are people really paying attention to graphics and cinematography.  And in this case, there wasn't any impressive cinematography to speak of.  A movie like this needs to be entertaining and to me...it wasn't.  

Rating: C-

Recommendation:
If you're a movie buff and like the sel-documentary shooting style, then maybe you can find some enjoyment in this film.  Otherwise, I'd look for some excitement somewhere else.

Previous Movie Reviews:

Safe House

Follow me on Twitter

Like me on Facebook