Over the top and overrated, but still entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (29 May 2004)

"Donnie Darko" is the perfect example of a rookie filmakers attempt to capitalize on the success of "Memento" and other odd movies, and writing a script thats unbelievable yet imaginative. I have been told it's totally impossible to understand unless you go on the internet. What if you dont have the internet to reference. Yep, your screwed. Well not screwed, but you certainly miss out.
It's the story of a kid who is involved in a near death experience, and continues to live in a paranormal life. The acting is marvelous, the dialogue is witty. It's actually a great film until Kelly decides to go crazy and makes up some stupid stuff about time travel. It could have been a great film, with great characters, but instead became a good film with great characters. No doubt its entertaining, but it becomes hard to sit through.
If you like films that are different, and films you have to have a reference book to completely understand its for you. But this movie tries to hard to be different, which ultimately hurts its quality, but apparently not its large following and surprise success.