Retrospective Review- A disgusting, tasteless and pointless film.

Rating: 1/10 (23 April 2019)

When watching Science-Fiction films about time travel, I can understand this can be a difficult topic to accomplish. Many have done this exceptionally well; such as the Back to the Future Trilogy, "Source Code", "Edge of Tomorrow", etc. Among the genre exists the divisive "The Butterfly Effect"; the 2004 film which was panned by critics but has gained a fanbase since then. It's been hailed as "mind-blowing" or being an underrated gem. I respect the opinions of those who enjoy films I dislike, but with that being said- for my money this film fails miserably to be either "mind-blowing" or a masterpiece.
"The Butterfly Effect" is a disgusting, tasteless and pointless fim. This "film" (similar to other excremental movies like the 2007 remake of "Halloween") is an exercise in dehumanization pornography. It's not as interested in telling a compelling story as it is in degrading it's protagonist, Evan Treborn, and other innocent characters to being nothing more than punching bags for some monstrous caricatures among other horrible events. Even a smaller character like Evan's college roommate turns into an unsympathetic potty mouth in just one scene (for insulting Evan because he has gone through serious childhood trauma, I'll just leave it at that).
This childhood trauma and a central event motivate Evan to use his journals to time travel and repent the horrors of his past. He's a sympathetic character with a noble cause, right? Well, Evan himself can't resist joining in some contemptible acts. In one alternate reality, he and his star-crossed lover Kayleigh Miller are attacked by a deranged man from their past; but instead of subduing him and calling the police, Evan subdues then literally kills the man (*cue round of applause*). This sets up for more anguish he has to endure (some of which I can't bring myself to write about), and it goes on and on and on.
Even in his past, he encourages one of his friends to set dynamite in a mailbox, resulting in the death of a mother and her baby. I know he was supposed to be a troubled teenager, but I should believe that most rational teenagers and human beings would understand that said act could result in horrible consequences, injury and maybe death. The story circles back to this scene later to give a logical yet disgusting consequence. Otherwise, he's a good character who can be inconsistent (even then, he doesn't deserve any of the pain he's subjected to).
Yes, the world is a cruel place; but this is generally not a factor for why certain movies are considered great. Time travel causing world-altering consequences was not a new idea before this film either. Not that there's anything wrong with exploring these ideas, but they've been done better in other films.
The absurdity of the screenplay reigns supreme as it takes us on an eye gouging journey of style and oppression over substance. Other offenses include lazy writing, some aggressive editing, ugly cinematography, gratuitous nudity, among other things.
I can enjoy movies with dark and bleak themes, when done right, such as "No Country for Old Men", "Donnie Darko", "Minority Report", etc; but "The Butterfly Effect" pales in comparison to those films due to everything it has to offer, in addition to being incredibly smug and heavy handed. Even decent performances from likable actors Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart aren't an excuse either.
I'm sure there are films that are more vulgar and contemptuous than this; but not many movies I've seen have appalled me as much as what I had to experience in the theatrical cut of this garbagefest, neither what I learned happens in the director's cut.
Closing note- One of the only moments of the movie that gives me mild amusement is Evan peacefully eating a cheeseburger in a bar.
Grade- F