Chronicle is a clever movie about three high school kids who suddenly get superpowers after coming in touch with something that is clearly not of this world. What makes Chronicle different from every other superhero movie out there is that it's presented as found footage, meaning it's supposedly filmed by the teenagers, their friends, and existing security cameras.
Like it did in Cloverfield, this certainly adds realism to the film, so that when the boys began to develop their powers, it really feels like it's happening right before eyes, and not like some fancy CGI effect. The first three-quarters of the film is pure escapism and a ton of fun. Where Chronicle sets itself apart from something like the Paranormal Activity series, however, is that it actually has a compelling, well-developed story to tell.
Essentially, the movie is about how differently these boys handle their newfound abilities. Uncle Ben may have said "With great power comes great responsibility," but unless you're Peter Parker that's not always as easy as it seems. Chronicle ends up exploring the darker side of that quite successfully.
