Fascinating but dark view of time travel/alternate realities

Rating: 8/10 (2 December 2004)

The Butterfly Effect should grab and hold the interest of anyone who likes sci-fi, especially time travel and related themes. The viewer is introduced to the main characters through a series of seemingly disjointed action segments, mostly featuring seven year old Evan and his companions Kayleigh, Tommy, and eventually Lennie. The dark side theme is most evident in Tommy, a demonically vicious kid who rules the other three as the film segues into their 13-years-old phase. Some of the acting is a little weak, but the overall quality of the production makes for a fascinating and tortuous ride. This flick contains some themes that aren't really appropriate for viewers in the seven-to-thirteen year old range...which imputes a conflict. Evan and his friends are presented in that very age group! I give it an 8; definitely worth watching more than once.