THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
The Butterfly Effect. This movie was another that was rather harshly town by the critics, but still managed to pull in $57,650,876 total in the box offices, and stayed in the top ten for five straight weeks. Not too shabby if you think about it.
Now, you must realize that this is not a movie for the light hearted, this thing is dark, and for what seems to be for no reason than being dark. We have everything from Pedophilia, to Doggy cooking. If you could sum this movie up in one phrase, I would have to say it is a psychological Moshpit.
The movie is about Evan Treborn(Ashton Kutcher), who as a child had several blackouts during traumatic times of his life. Through a psychologists suggestion, Even has been keeping journals since he was seven to help with memory. Through reading these journals he learns he can go back, and actually change the events that happened during the blackouts... But when his change turns for the worst, Even is thrown in a never ending spiral downwards as he attempts to fix his mistakes, and only succeeds in making things ten times worse with every change...
This movie does great with what it aims at, psychological ware, and shock value. In every change we are subjected to another characters pain at the fault of Evan, every change we see something so outstanding, it makes us breath heavy as he changes again, and makes it so it never happened. This movie tugs at your heart, and your mind as it has no regard for the main character's well being as, they'll be changed in the next switch, so we see everything from murders, and prostitution, all the way up to psychosis and missing limbs. And every change seems to make it worse, as the strain on Evan's brain increases as more memories try to fill his brain.
This movie raises a lot of very interesting questions about the chain of events our actions create, and just how much our small off handed responses may effect another's life drastically, The Butterfly Effect and Chaos Theory in it's essence.
The movie falters slightly though, as it has some minor plot holes including the switches, one including the fact that he has someone else's memories flash by, for no reason better then the lack of narration to show it... The plot is also a little troubling to follow, if you're not ready to be deeply involved in the movie straight through...
So if you're looking for a movie where a guy magically gets the power to change the past, and continues to change it cause he just "can't get it right dang nabbit!" Then step away, if you're looking for a movie that treats you like an adult as we look into a world of sadistic minds and mental illness, then saddle up, this one's for you!
9 out of 10, if you're into the mental stuff, pick this up... I also suggest the Directors Cut, unfortunately I haven't seen it, but I heard it was much better then the Theatrical release...
For the future. I plan on somehow getting the cash to see White Noise, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Elektra. Speaking of Elektra, expect a small paragraph coming soon of my expectations/hopes. I liked Dare Devil (Though I can admit that was a rather big flop) and I hope this one can impress...
