THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
Everyone has an escape mechanism to prevent
bad memories from taking over, but Evan
Trehorn (Ashton Kutcher) has devised the turbo
charged model. Perhaps because his
sublimated childhood memories are so
devastating, he has achieved a method of going
back in time, to the bad memory, and trying to
fix things. Since each small change is amplified
with time, his modifications produce some
unexpected effects.
Most of his memory travels involve trying to
save his childhood sweetheart, Kayleigh (Amy
Smart). Though, on other occasions, he tries to
save friends or family members from their
fates, but all is precarious because of the
involved ramifications of his small changes.
So, remember, when you sneeze, or a butterfly
flaps its wings, watch out, because the Chaos
Effect is in play.
bad memories from taking over, but Evan
Trehorn (Ashton Kutcher) has devised the turbo
charged model. Perhaps because his
sublimated childhood memories are so
devastating, he has achieved a method of going
back in time, to the bad memory, and trying to
fix things. Since each small change is amplified
with time, his modifications produce some
unexpected effects.
Most of his memory travels involve trying to
save his childhood sweetheart, Kayleigh (Amy
Smart). Though, on other occasions, he tries to
save friends or family members from their
fates, but all is precarious because of the
involved ramifications of his small changes.
So, remember, when you sneeze, or a butterfly
flaps its wings, watch out, because the Chaos
Effect is in play.
Brenda’s comments
Early confusion aside, I like the overall film.
The good old jump-scare effect is there.
There's nothing like a good startle to
capture my attention. Ashton Kutcher did a
pretty good job in a more serious role than
he usually plays. Overall, it is interesting
enough to engage the audience, even if they
may not be thoroughly convinced.
Early confusion aside, I like the overall film.
The good old jump-scare effect is there.
There's nothing like a good startle to
capture my attention. Ashton Kutcher did a
pretty good job in a more serious role than
he usually plays. Overall, it is interesting
enough to engage the audience, even if they
may not be thoroughly convinced.
Mary’s comments
Once you get used to the time/memory
travel theme, I think you can relax and enjoy
the movie. If you try to fight it, or get to picky
about realism, you'll have a long, hard battle
ahead. The sound effects are so
pronounced that if the plot doesn't make
you jump, the noise surely will. Traveling by
the memory express makes for a very loud
journey.
Once you get used to the time/memory
travel theme, I think you can relax and enjoy
the movie. If you try to fight it, or get to picky
about realism, you'll have a long, hard battle
ahead. The sound effects are so
pronounced that if the plot doesn't make
you jump, the noise surely will. Traveling by
the memory express makes for a very loud
journey.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
Movie Details
Official Movie Website
Theatrical Release
01/23/04
Home Video
6/06/04
MPAA Rating
Rated R for violence, sexual
content, language, and brief
drug use
Running Time
2 hours
Genre
Science-Fiction/Fantasy,
Thriller, Time Travel
Directed by
Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Cast
Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart,
Eric Stotz, Eldon Hensen,
Ethan Suplee, Melora
Walters, John Patrick
Amedon
Studio
New Line Cinema
Theatrical Release
01/23/04
Home Video
6/06/04
MPAA Rating
Rated R for violence, sexual
content, language, and brief
drug use
Running Time
2 hours
Genre
Science-Fiction/Fantasy,
Thriller, Time Travel
Directed by
Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber
Cast
Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart,
Eric Stotz, Eldon Hensen,
Ethan Suplee, Melora
Walters, John Patrick
Amedon
Studio
New Line Cinema
DVD Details
Disc Specs
Running Time: 2 hrs. 0 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
Beyond the Movie:
• The Science and Psychology of
the Chaos Theory
• The History and Allure of Time
Travel
• Fact Track – Trivia Subtitle Track
All Access Pass:
• Filmmaker Commentary –
Directors and Screenwriters Eric
Bress and J. Mackye Gruber
• Deleted/Alternate Scenes
• The Creative Process
• Visual Effects
• Storyboard Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer
DVD-ROM Content:
• Play Movie
• Script-to-screen (directors’ cut)
• Commentary Digest
• Gallery
• Scene Medleys
• Link to Original Website
• Link to Exclusive Content at
infinfilm.com
Running Time: 2 hrs. 0 mins.
Number of Discs: 1
Features:
Beyond the Movie:
• The Science and Psychology of
the Chaos Theory
• The History and Allure of Time
Travel
• Fact Track – Trivia Subtitle Track
All Access Pass:
• Filmmaker Commentary –
Directors and Screenwriters Eric
Bress and J. Mackye Gruber
• Deleted/Alternate Scenes
• The Creative Process
• Visual Effects
• Storyboard Gallery
• Original Theatrical Trailer
DVD-ROM Content:
• Play Movie
• Script-to-screen (directors’ cut)
• Commentary Digest
• Gallery
• Scene Medleys
• Link to Original Website
• Link to Exclusive Content at
infinfilm.com