DONNIE DARKO - REVIEW 2 (SHARP SPARK)

Rating: 10/10 (1 March 2003)

"This makes David Lynch (of whom I'm a big fan) look out-dated and flat. This is a brilliant little film. Confusing, intriguing and inventive, it eventually folds back upon itself, and makes you leave the cinema in a daze. A great movie, that you'll have fun figuring out, both while you're watching it and for days after!! So many possible theories exist for this movie, I won't include one here... Suffice it to say, go see it yourself. Its one of those movies that is more enjoyable the more you watch it, rather than less."
The above is the original review I wrote about DONNIE DARKO. But I just want to say and write so much MORE about it. This movie has become a huge part of my life lately. After buying it on DVD, I watched it several times more, with and without the two commentaries - and became engrossed in the deleted/extended scenes and other extra features.
There is so much to say about this movie - I could fill a book. Suffice it to say, well that there is too much to say and no one review is justifiable for this movie.
Is it a science-fiction movie? A teen-angst drama? A social commentary focussing on 1980's suburbia? All of the above? And more? The last two -yes. And it has passion perfectly balanced with pain, and emotional depth layered within its complex and intoxicating structure of suspense.
Unlike other so-called "weird" films, this is not intentionally weird. It just is ... well, its own movie.
Watch this movie. Maybe you'll hate it. Maybe you'll be nonplussed. Maybe like myself (and my friend Kevin - hi Kevin if you're reading this!) you'll become addicted to it. One thing is certain: it's one of the most original movies I've seen in a long time.
Don't just read reviews of this movie - see it for yourself. And that is all. Thank you for reading.