Better than expected

Rating: 8/10 (22 August 2004)

Very surprised by how much I liked this movie after the critical drubbing it took. While the idea of time travel and its effects on the traveler's current world is not new, it is well presented here. The results of Evan's attempts to change his present have unintended consequences and each is presented with enough detail to make you care what happens to the characters.
Ashton Kutcher is solid but unspectacular in the lead. More interesting are his friends, with Amy Smart getting the best parts playing (alternately) his long-forgotten friend, sorority girlfriend, druggie prostitute, and his best friend's girlfriend. The weakest part of the film are the cheesy special effects shown during Evan's time journeys, but they are instantly forgettable.
I really liked his "ultimate solution" to the time-travel problem. Note that all these comments refer to the theatrical version, as I plan to watch the special edition located on the same DVD very soon.