Chronicle Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Chronicle" showcases a fascinating blend of amateur filming aesthetics and high-end professional video quality. Initially portrayed through the lens of Andrew's lower-end camcorder, which appears to be a typical consumer-grade device, the film quickly transitions to noticeably superior visuals, courtesy of the $60,000 Arri Alexa digital video cameras used for production. Despite this, viewers are required to momentarily suspend disbelief, as the 1080p/AVC-encoded video surpasses what one would expect from Andrew's purported equipment. The imagery presented is sharp and clear, with textures in skin and clothing visibly detailed in close-ups, and lines remaining crisp in wider shots. The movie's color grading gives it a vibrant, punchy look that transcends ordinary camera output, with deep black levels and consistently strong contrast enhancing the visual experience. There’s a minor presence of source noise in darker scenes and occasional brightness fluctuations, but these do not detract from the overall high-quality presentation.

The film intentionally mimics the look of footage captured on handheld HD camcorders to align with its narrative, achieving a polished yet slightly less cinematic digital appearance. This deliberate choice adds authenticity to the story while maintaining a squeaky-clean aesthetic that might not appeal to all. Despite a few instances of blurriness and noticeable mosquito noise in certain sequences, the Blu-ray excels in delivering lifelike skin textures and a high-definition showcase of the cast's facial features, right down to the smallest blemishes. Colors are rendered boldly with primaries standing out, supported by a solid black level that retains shadow details effectively. Overall, "Chronicle" strikes a fine balance between its intended cinematic style and the limitations of portraying a realistic handheld video experience, making it an impressive release that nearly touches demo-quality visuals in many aspects, despite its modest budget and unique visual approach.

The Blu Ray audio presentation of "Chronicle" is a standout, showcasing a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that excels in enveloping the viewer into its cinematic world. This meticulously crafted sound design leverages the full spectrum of its multi-channel environment to deliver an immersive auditory experience. From the subtle nuances of party chatter and the rush of wind at high altitudes to the bombastic clatter of the finale's showdown, every sound element is crisply rendered. The mix effectively utilizes the rear channels for both ambient sounds and directional effects, creating a convincing three-dimensional soundscape. Additionally, the dialogue maintains clarity and balance against the backdrop of varied sound effects, ensuring it remains comprehensible throughout. The bass performance is particularly noteworthy, providing authoritative, room-shaking impacts that add depth to the action sequences and convey the scope of the characters' powers with palpable intensity.

The audio track's dynamic range is both expansive and precise, allowing for a wide soundstage that showcases excellent channel separation among the front speakers. This separation shines in sequences requiring a detailed and layered auditory landscape, particularly during the climactic battle, which is rendered with such realism it places the listener in the heart of the chaos. Not only does this highlight the technical prowess behind the film's sound engineering, but it also elevates the overall viewing experience by reinforcing the film's emotional and narrative beats. Pans and directionality across the soundscape are executed with smoothness and conviction, enhancing the action's intensity without ever feeling jarring or out of place.

Supplementing the main audio track are Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1 dubs, along with optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience. This attention to detail in the audio presentation confirms "Chronicle's" Blu Ray edition as an exemplary showcase of auditory craftsmanship in cinema, reinforcing its narrative through a meticulously arranged and impactful sound design.

The extra presentation on the Blu-ray edition of "Chronicle" offers a concise yet diverse array of supplementary content that enhances the viewing experience for fans and cinephiles alike. From high-definition deleted scenes to behind-the-scenes pre-visualization (Pre-Viz) footage and camera tests, these extras peel back the layers of the film's production process. Notably, the included trailers, featuring "Chronicle" itself and a sneak peek at other contemporaneous films, round out the package. The duplication of content in both the Blu-ray and DVD versions ensures accessibility for a wider audience, while the technical quality of the extras, especially the 1080p resolution clips, underscores the studio's commitment to delivering a premium product.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scene: A brief clip showcasing a moment between Matt and Casey.
• Pre-Viz: CGI animatics highlighting effects-heavy scenes, including the final fight sequence.
• Camera Test: Demonstrations of visual effects, particularly focusing on cutlery manipulation.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional preview for "Chronicle".
• Sneak Peak: Trailers for various films and TV shows like "Prometheus" and "American Horror Story Season 1".

Chronicle," a film by Josh Trank and Max Landis, cleverly navigates the oversaturated realm of found footage movies and the superhero genre to deliver a fresh narrative that resonates with both the thrill of newfound powers and the depth of personal transformation. The story revolves around Andrew, a Seattle high school loner played compellingly by Dane DeHaan, who, amidst familial turmoil involving a dying mother and an abusive father, begins to document his life with a camera. This act of isolation is intensified when Andrew, alongside his cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and popular kid Steve (Michael B. Jordan), uncovers a mysterious object that grants them telekinetic abilities. This discovery propels the film into a captivating exploration of adolescence, power, and consequence.

The progression from using these powers for trivial pranks to facing serious ethical dilemmas captures the essence of teenage recklessness and the intoxicating allure of unchecked power. Trank and Landis adeptly showcase this journey through a blend of genuine character development and imaginative visual storytelling, particularly in how they manage the inherent limitations and opportunities of the found footage format. The narrative cleverly utilizes additional perspectives, such as surveillance footage and videos from smartphones, to deepen the immersion into its world and justify the continuous presence of the camera, albeit with some narrative stretches.

Despite its roots in familiar tropes – the troubled teen, the allure of power, and the descent into villainy – "Chronicle" stands out for its authentic portrayal of its characters' psyche and its innovative use of the found footage technique to enhance the storytelling. The dynamic between the characters, amplified by their extraordinary circumstances, unfolds in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking, culminating in a visually arresting climax over Seattle's skyline. While not devoid of clichés or minor plot discrepancies, the movie exceeds expectations by turning potential weaknesses into strengths, delivering a compelling narrative that blends science fiction with a poignant coming-of-age story.

Chronicle," as captured on its Blu-ray presentation, leverages a found footage approach, a genre often met with skepticism, to weave a surprisingly enthralling and innovative narrative. The film intriguingly delves into the sci-fi and superhero genres, showcasing the journey of teenage boys who stumble upon telekinetic abilities. Far from being mere spectacle, "Chronicle" melds dark humor, relatability, and a compelling origin story to create a narrative that resonates on multiple levels. Director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis have crafted a debut that is not only engaging but also reinvigorates the found footage format with a fresh perspective. The Blu-ray itself boasts excellent visual quality, complemented by an audio experience that approaches reference quality, further immersing viewers in the film's unique tale.

While the film impressively outperforms expectations with its special effects, especially when considering its modest budget, the Blu-ray edition leaves some room for desire in the realm of special features. Fans might find themselves yearning for deeper insights into the film's creation, such as a director’s commentary, which unfortunately is not included. However, the high-definition release includes exclusive supplemental material not found on the DVD version, adding value for collectors and fans alike. These aspects make the Blu-ray a recommended pick for aficionados of sci-fi, action, and those intrigued by an atypical take on the superhero origin story.

Conclusively, "Chronicle" on Blu-ray is an essential addition to the collection of any genre enthusiast, despite its shortcomings in the special features department. Its stellar video and audio presentation enriches the film's innovative approach to storytelling and visual effects, making it a standout in the found footage and superhero genres. While additional commentary or behind-the-scenes content would have been a significant plus, the existing exclusive material still tips the scales in favor of a recommendation. This release captures the essence of what makes "Chronicle" a refreshingly novel and entertaining experience.