This film is better than people are making it out to be.

Rating: 8/10 (26 January 2004)

Like many people, I went to see The Butterfly Effect because it looked interesting and original. But unlike many who like to take the words of critics and run with them as if they were their own, I enjoyed the film. I thought it was very thought provoking, and even thought the acting was not "terrible." Now, I'll agree it is not the best film I've ever seen, but it does not deserve the dogging it has been receiving.
I've seen and heard people saying it is Back to the Future with a dark twist. To some extent, it may be, but what this movie is really dealing with is a person's psyche. Think about what you really saw throughout the film. Let it all simmer for a minute or two, then think about the situation Evan (Ashton Kutcher) found himself in. Think about some of the subtle things dropped in throughout (i.e. the Mr. Hyde poster next to the pay phone) and then question if everything truly ended up happy like a cheery Back to the Future.
If you like a thought provoking, relatively original idea, you'll probably enjoy your two hours at The Butterfly Effect.