You can't play god...

Rating: 8/10 (27 January 2004)

Like it says in the various trailers for this movie, playing god is never a good thing. The Butterfly Effect is a great little science fiction/thriller, with quite a few things going for it.
I admit, I was skeptical of Ashton Kutcher's ability to pull off a dramatic role. Thankfully, he does very well. After seeing Butterfly Effect, I look forward to Kutcher's next run at a serious film. The supporting cast were all excellent, all convincing in their altering roles.
Time travel films come in two varieties. Those that succeed, and those that don't. The Butterfly Effect is the former. Yes, it has some plot holes, but what sci-fi movie doesn't? These, however, are minor flaws and don't really detract from the overall experience.
That said, there are also some very touchy subjects used in this movie and it received an "R" rating for a reason. Definitely not one for the kids.

The Butterfly Effect is much more than I expected, and continues to impress me. It's a refreshing delve into the time travel genre, but you have to be into science fiction to enjoy it, and be able to look over the few plot holes. Butterfly Effect is solid, and worth the price of admission.
4 stars (out of 5)