Donnie Darko - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Almost as good as if i bought it brand new with the exception of knowing i bought it online, good condition and recieved in exceptional time. five stars :)

This review is for the regular version, NOT the Director's Cut.

I love this movie, even though I don't get it worth a squirrel's nuts. I read this whole recap of the plot, bit by bit, at Salon.com, and I was TOTALLY wrong about what I thought was happening in the film (I'll spare you the details; this is a movie you cannot spoil for people) and yet I STILL LOVE IT.

Jake Gyllenhaal is just awesome. He plays Donnie SUPERBLY. Every single person in this movie is PERFECTLY casted, from Donnie's parents, sister, and therapist, to that awful awful woman who insists that Graham Greene was on Bonanza. And Noah Wyle, Drew Barrymore, and Patrick Swayze are ingenious background players. Jena Malone is great, Frank-the-Bunny is great, Roberta Sparrow, even that chunky Asian chick who says "Chut up." EXCELLENT EXCELLENT casting is my point.

Also, this is one of those movies that you don't have to really "get" 100%. I certainly didn't. And I watch regularly. It proverbially lives in my DVD player so I can just push play whenever the heck I feel like it. (Okay so sometimes I switch it with Fight Club but that's besides the point). Here's the deal:

- the movie is based primarily in the notion of time travel. It's science-fiction disguised as not-science-fiction, which makes sense because it's both and neither.

- it's one of those "makes a big statement about humanity" movies. I like that. Some people don't.

- don't expect the ending to wrap everything up. In fact, it'll probably just confuse you further.

- you NEED to watch the ENTIRE movie before you cast judgement, at least in my opinion.

- if you don't like to think, ponder, be confused, question, rewind, ask people what the heck is going on, and genuinely say "huh" then this movie's not for you. Call me dumb but I've seen this film at least fifty times since I own the DVD and I still can't crack the code of the website.

The whole movie is excellent from the storyline to the casting, but it's a mystery wrapped in an enigma shrouded in shadow. If you don't like that, watch something else.

I have had many smart friends debate on what actually happened in this movie. If you want a psychological type movie this is the best one I've ever seen.

Donnie Darko is what happens when Stephen Hawking gets high and writes a film. This dark, surreal movie is brilliant if a little confusing. The director's cut is MUCH easier to digest, as all the cut scenes actually EXPLAIN what the hell is going on. If you enjoy the ideas of Theoretical Physics, hallucinations, and/or insanity you should check out Donnie Darko.

Bizarre and Brilliant! I love the way this movie plays with reality and imagination. The viewer is thrown into the world of a bi-polar, highly intelligent young man, Donnie Darko, who is sleepwalking his way toward disaster. There is a strange way to prevent all the tragedy and the 'way' is exposed after Donnie's near death experience awakens him to the possibility of portals and time travel. Will he go back through the portal to save lives, even though it may bring an end to his own life? I love tales that 'bend the brain', and this one sure works on the ole noodle.

Chrissy K. McVay - Author