The film nearly suffocates under the mounting weight of its gothic kitsch but nevertheless summons ornately crafted, old-fashioned suspense.

While it owes a great debt to the found-footage concept to the The Blair Witch Project, Chronicle still has enough energy and ingenuity to serve as thrilling entertainment on its own.

The trappings may look familiar, but the film is a new twist on the good, old-fashioned ghost story: It's the bored-slacker horror movie.

The film is a rousing, feel-good, family-friendly animal adventure which has the added benefit of being based on a true story.