Incredible sleeper!

Rating: Null/10 (9 April 2002)

I usually don't buy DVDs on a whim, but I was out shopping a couple days ago and decided to go on a dvd spree. Bought 5 total, Donnie Darko being one of them, I had seen a preview on a rental a week before. I wish I had got to see this in the theater. Sorry to rant but i'm sick of hollywood's hype of these poor quality films lately, lacking in not only talent but suspense and surprise. I haven't seen a "truly magnificent" movie since... well ok I liked Memento, but not nearly as much as Darko. Hopefully this movie will break this "the media likes it so i'll like it too" mold. *end rant*
Now that that's out of the way, this film had every sense in me on a frenzy. The cast was superb, the plot was original, although i must admit it felt like Final Destination meets Carrie toward the middle of the film, but the ending... WOW! was all i could say. I hadn't viewed an ending that shocking since The Sixth Sense, and since that movie it seems movie ending have taken a downward slope to downright predictable (*COUGH* Domestic Disturbance *COUGH*) The writers did a tremendous job of keeping a grip on the viewer throughout the movie. It felt like a racehorse chasing a rabbit.... oh yeah, that brings me to the demonic bunny. What can i say, other than I want to be Frank for Halloween!
This film makes me wonder about why it wasn't hyped at all, I never saw a trailer, commercial.. nothing, except when it went to video. Maybe the screeners chose the wrong demographic to show the film to? Especially with a cast this star studded. Jake Gyllenhaal of October Sky fame was on the mark with his character, he reminded me of the Ricky Fitts character in American Beauty.. 'nuff said. Patrick Swayze plays the pretty boy self-help dork I always saw him as :P Drew Barrymore played an excellent "teacher you always wanted" in that she didn't teach by the book, she wanted to expand the mind. Jena Malone (Cheaters) plays the "new girl" love interest to Donnie.
This movie has become an instant classic, and is at the top of my never-ending DVD rack, I suggest you see it, and tell your friends you saw it, and tell them to see it... and so on... Or you could just show up at their doorstep in a demonic bunny costume :)