In the words of Enid from 'Ghost World' - People are too stupid

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2004)

Referring back to the title of this entry, 'people are too stupid', the sort of people who hate this movie and think that it's crap are the product of the Hollywood revolution. Those who go to the movies just for explicit violence, romance, and sex.
Donnie Darko is about none of these things, at least not explicitly. It is a journey of discovery, exploring the nature of fate, and whether all our lives are predefined by a higher power, be it God or whoever. Donnie avoids his fate, and so the world ends, when he goes back and dies at his proper time, things are better in the world. 'Everybody has a time to die' as the film says.
For those who don't see why Gretchen must die at the end, here's my theory. Donnie loves Gretchen, he doesn't want her to suffer, so by going back he saves her, sacrificing himself. People's lives are improved, when things happen according to His (God's) plan.
I think that in the new reality there is a sense of Déja-vu, Donnie's psychriatrist wakes up in a cold sweat, and Gretchen's pause when Donnie's neighbour asks 'Did you know him?'
The film is surreal, not least the giant bunny rabbit, and the music is poignant, especially 'Mad World' originally by 'Tears for Fears' performed exquisitely by Gary Jules and (Micheal Andrews - i think?).
I think this film is a masterpiece, and extremely thought provoking, although I have only seen it twice, I think I have a better understanding of it than some of the big-wig complainers on here. It really doesn't help when you categorically slag off a piece of film history before you understand it, if you don't get it damn well watch it again until you do.
:steps off his soapbox:
10/10 a fantastic film