Customer Reviews

Butterfly Effect

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

The Butterfly Effect follows the misadventures of four friends -- Evan, Kayleigh, Tommy, and Lenny -- at the ages of 7, 13 and 20. Having suffered mysterious blackouts as a child, college student Evan discovers that he can pop back into his mind at these critical moments by reading excerpts from his journals. Thus, he has a chance to undo the painful memories that have influenced each of their lives. But every time he tries to correct a wrong, the future of those around him is altered in ways he never imagined.

The fascinating premise behind this sci-fi thriller stems from the belief that the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon on the other side of the world. Chaos Theory therefore suggests that even the smallest change creates a ripple effect resulting in dire consequences.

Ashton Kutcher from television's That 70's Show stars in his first dramatic role as the grown-up Evan. Though he proves he is capable of more than the lowbred comedy of such intolerable projects as Dude, Where's My Car?, he still has a long way to go before mastering his craft. Relying strictly on voice to convey his emotions, he doesn't seem to be aware that the more subtle techniques of facial expressions and mannerisms even exist. Thankfully, the strong supporting cast elevates Kutcher's performance. Amy Smart is compelling as several versions of the grown Kayleigh, as are William Lee Scott and Elden Henson as the grown Tommy and Lenny respectively. Also notable are Logan Lerman as Evan at 7, and Jesse James as the vicious 13-year-old Tommy.

Written and directed by the team of Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber, the clever screenplay is full of shocking plot twists. Indeed, the film requires a second viewing to put all of its intricate complexities together. The story is further enhanced by the intriguing special effects that begin each time-travel sequence.

While several films have studied characters who are given an opportunity to change history, The Butterfly Effect shows just how dark those changes can be. Thought-provoking and tragic, this film will leave a lasting effect on those who ponder the varied paths a life can take. Rating: 7 out of 10.

Imagine if the ending to the Sixth Sense was only on DVD, and there was a friendly Hollywood ending released in theatres.

I decided to watch the Director's Cut first when I got the DVD. I was intrigued from the start of this horribly tragic story. Evan leads a devastating childhood, always managing to end up in traumatic situations, from a very young age to his young adulthood. One really feels for him in his attempts to alter his situation; however, the result is always something just as horrible or worse.
Some of his attempts to change his childhood make more sense than others; one could leave it to that his mind is becoming more and more irrational, that he will attempt things that may not necessarily be beneficial to him. As the film builds up, one begins to wonder, what is the solution to this poor, seemingly cursed boy's problem? The Director's Cut ending is a harrowing, shocking ending that gives me chills to think about. Watching the theatrical release AFTER you watch the Director's cut is not nearly as powerful.
I think if the Director's Cut had been released in theatres, critics would have looked at this film much differently.

I absolutely loved this movie! The DVD contains two different endings, my favorite ending (without giving it away) is the one where he is.... a baby. But both are good. The entire story is based on the concept that something as simple as a butterfly flapping it's wings could eventually (through a series of events) cause a hurricane somewhere in the world. Now go back in time and kill the butterfly off and how would that eventually effect the world? It's an interesting concept and makes for a great story, Ashton plays a character that can change things and the effects of small changes in the future are fairly big. It's a story that will keep you wondering until the end how things will end up.

Well worth buying, I have watched this one several times now.

This has to be my fav movie of all time cas when me and my cousin rented it we watched 3 times, and then my mom and dad rented it so i enad up watching it 4 times, a movie that can keep me awake the hole time it played and never once bord me is defintly worth buying. I would reamsed this movie to everone out there if you have not seen it yet you should watch it then recament it to other people. this is the best movie ever. I plan on buying it so i can watch it 100's of more times tell the dvd well no longer work

The first time I ever saw Ashton Kutcher was the very first episode of "That '70's Show"---a show that I fell in love with right away. As it went on to become one of the best sitcoms in the past ten years, I at first saw star Topher Grace as becoming the superstar of the bunch. However, as the third season began, I began to realize that Ashton Kutcher was the valedictorian. As terminally clueless, and childishly impish, stoner Michael Kelso, the former straight-A college engineering student has created one of the most memorable sitcom characters of the modern television era. His impending superstardom seemed more & more destined to be. By the beginning of the year 2000, I was wondering when his first movie would come out. By the end of the year 2000, my question had been answered, though not my prayers.

As Ashton's film career began with the incredibly unfunny DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR?, I shook my head with disappointment at how the lowest-common-denominator mindset of Hollywood was going to drag him down along the forgotten road of Typecast Alley. I missed the few other comedies he did afterwards (TEXAS RANGERS--2001, JUST MARRIED, MY BOSS'S DAUGHTER--both 2003), but after viewing my DVD rental of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (2004) last week, I was disappointed no more.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT shows the beginnings of Kutcher's hopefully-maturing career-turn as a real all-around actor. This isn't an Oscar-caliber performance, but he brings a real heart & soul to his portrayal of a young man whose future seems inexorably bound to his past---a past to which he discovers he can return at any time in order to affect his present. Evan tries to fix what went wrong in his life; however, in doing so he creates unintended consequences for himself and his beloved Kayleigh (a radiant Amy Smart, showing real depth of character here).

This DVD shows both the original 113-minute Theatrical Version and the full 2-hour Director's Cut. I saw only the latter version, which is said to be the superior cut. I have not yet seen the original, so I am unable to compare the two versions. I will just say for now that the Director's Cut had a similar effect on me as the incredible Adrian Lyne-directed 1991 psycho-horror flick JACOB'S LADDER (1991): both films begin as strangely perplexing, but develop a strangely hypnotic and engrossing quality as well. As much as I wondered what the *beep* was going on, I just couldn't take my eyes off the bizarre action unwinding onscreen. And then *THE ENDING*---> Unexpectedly blindsiding, it pulls the previously indecipherable clues all together, and makes total sense out of senselessness, order out of chaos. Funny that the central theme of THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT *is* Chaos Theory!

Although it displays some of the more unpleasant qualities of a conventional horror flick (foul-mouthed youngsters doing things they have no business in doing, cute dogs existing purely for the purpose of being sadistically put to death), there is no doubt that Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber---the co-writers and directors who had previously teamed up to write the 2002 chiller sequel FINAL DESTINATION 2---have crafted a truly original story that contains a deceptive amount of substance behind the blurry, slick style. Some people---especially kids, it seems---did not particularly like the Director's Cut ending. I say that this is the only true ending this story could have had. (It also serves my strongly-felt theory that movies like this are most decidedly not meant for kiddies.) It makes me all the more curious as to what alternative kind of ending was edited into the Theatrical Version in order to 'please' the audience (whatever it was, it sure didn't seem to please many). Well, it looks like I'll just have to purchase this loaded-with-extras DVD to find out. That's just fine with me, as the Director's Cut alone is worth the money! If you're like me and passed on seeing THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT during its theater run, take another look at it on DVD. It may just surprise you, too!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED; AGES 16 & UP

I saw the movie in theatres and loved it. I couldnt wait until the DVD came out. I came home, popped it into my DVD player and had just watched and listened throught the whole movie. I love this movie, its just so moving to me. The Directors Cut is alot better I believe. Im a guy and I almost cried at the end. It was just a fitting end, and some of my friends didn't understand the movie cuz they keep on yappin their mouths during the movie and not watching every little detail. I love Ashton Kutcher in That 70's Show and Dude,Wheres My Car, but this was a totally different kind of movie for him. And he succeeded undoubtly. He showed he could really act, and was just amazing. Like I said, the ending is very sad, if anyone hasnt seen this movie, or the Directors Cut, you should buy this DVD rite away. Its WELL worth the money.

When I rented this film, I watched the Director's cut. Later on, I saw the Theatrical cut, and honestly, I liked the former more. The ending was much more heartfelt and ironic.

But the other day, I got onto RottenTomatoes.com and looked it up. To my surprise, the critics agreed that this film was rotten. I felt that Ashton did a splendid job embracing a more serious role. Moreover, the story was completely unpredictable and non-cliche. I was overwhelmed with the movie, and I thought it was awesome.

Although both cuts are good, I have to recommend the Director's cut.

If you've never seen this and are getting it on DVD, watch the Theatrical Cut! The Director's cut is horrible. The movie is ruined by the way the ending is changed. Theatrical ending is better.

Who hasn't uttered the words at one time or another "I wish I were never born." This movie seeks to explore that very possibility. I am not quite certain I agree with the Director's answer, believing that everyone that finds him or herself on this planet is here for a very distinct reason, but bravos are most certainly in order for a most thought provoking premise of a film. Darkly brilliant. Thank you Ashton. You were awesome. Guilty pleasure my ass. This is a powerful movie. Watch it. Then watch it again.

I am SHOCKED and almost scared that so many people LIKED this movie. I had to turn it off when they got the part with the dog. This is the most disturbing, worthless, junk for a movie. While watching the parts I did manage to sit through, I hoped my small child did not walk in while I was watching it. And I REALLY hope that as a teen he will never get his hands on it and see it.

I know I would NEVER want to be alone in a room with the person who thought up this terrible movie!

Awful awful. This is the ONE time I do agree with the critics.

It is dark, depressing and horrific and that was BEFORE I even got to Ashton's charactor so it has no reflection on him.