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The Butterfly Effect [DVD] [2004]

  • SKU: 6556602
  • Release Date: 07/06/2004
  • Rating: R

A time travel thriller that pulls no punches, directors Eric Bress and J. Mackeye Gruber's The Butterfly Effect arrives on DVD in fine form thanks to New Line Cinema's Infinifilm series. Whether the viewer chooses to watch the original, theatrical cut of the film or the newly assembled director's cut, both presentations of the feature are offered in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The transfer is clean, offering rich, vibrant colors and little evidence of artifacting or edge enhancement. Likewise, the DTS audio mix rings through, loud and clear, with effective use of surround channels and low-frequency audio that will certainly keep viewers on their toes. As can be expected from any release in the Infinifilm series, this disc is brimming with some informative and entertaining bonus materials. Director's audio commentary offers the good-humored Bress and Gruber detailing many of the film's subtle hints and messages while also discussing effects work and character development -- a matter which merited an extra modicum of attention given The Butterfly Effect's multi-layered realities. Viewers can also study the true origins of the film's central conflict with "The Science and Psychology of the Chaos Theory," which offers interviews with numerous physics experts and psychotherapists as they attempt to demystify the sometimes dense subject. "The History and Allure of Time Travel" offers a brief history of cinematic time travel while simultaneously examining the psychological implications that may result when one tries to alter the future, and though the "fact track" does offer the occasional interesting tidbit, it works best when guiding viewers toward features that will offer a better look at the filmmaking process. After learning about the complicated road to actually getting the feature before the cameras in "The Creative Process" (which offers Bress and Gruber attempting to detail how they broke from convention while scripting the film, among other details), viewers can check out how the film's visual effects were conceived and executed in a visual effects documentary that offers interviews with visual effects supervisor Ralph Maiers and visual effects coordinator Christopher Elke. A storyboards feature allows viewers to watch 11 scenes side-by-side with the rough sketches that provide a visual outline for the feature, and nine deleted scenes with optional commentary are also included. In addition to the features on the disc, viewers can go even further by accessing such DVD-ROM features as script-to-screen comparison (a fantastic film-school lesson for aspiring filmmakers) and an image gallery that's loaded with still images from The Butterfly Effect. An original theatrical trailer is also included.
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    Overview

    Ratings & Reviews

    Overall Customer Rating:

    98% of customers would recommend this product to a friend (41 out of 42)
    See All 42 Reviews

    Special Features

    • Both directors' cut and theatrical version of the film
    • Beyond the Movie features: "The Science and Psychology of the Chaos Theory," "The History and Allure of Time Travel," "Fact Track"
    • All-Access Pass features: Filmmaker commentary by co-directors and co-screenwriters Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber, "The Creative Process" documentary, "Visual Effects" documentary
    • Storyboard gallery
    • Original theatrical trailer
    • DVD-ROM content: Script-to-screen, image gallery, exclusive Infinifilm content, and more
    • Closed Captioned
    Show more  

    Synopsis

    The Butterfly Effect
    Final Destination 2 screenwriters Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber make their directorial debut with the sci-fi thriller The Butterfly Effect. Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher with facial hair) wants to free himself from his disturbing childhood memories. As a kid, he often blacked out for long periods of time and tried to detail his life in a journal. As a young adult, he revisits the journal entries to figure out the truth about his troubled childhood friends Kayleigh (Amy Smart), Lenny (Elden Henson), and Tommy (William Lee Scott). When he discovers he can travel back in time in order to set things right, he tries to save his beloved friends. However, he finds out that relatively minor changes can make major problems for the future. The Butterfly Effect also stars Eric Stoltz, Ethan Suplee, and Melora Walters. The title was inspired by the story A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

    Cast & Crew

    • Ashton Kutcher
      Ashton Kutcher - Evan Treborn
    • Amy Smart
      Amy Smart - Kayleigh Miller
    • William Lee Scott
      William Lee Scott - Tommy Miller
    • Elden Henson
      Elden Henson - Lenny Kagan
    • Melora Walters
      Melora Walters - Andrea Treborn

    Customer rating

    Rating 4.4 out of 5 stars with 42 reviews

    98%
    would recommend to a friend
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    Most relevant reviews

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    • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

      Very Entertaining

      Posted
      fiddler

      Critics didn't receive this movie to warmly, but trust me... DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. If you get too technical with a movie like this, you take all the joy right out of it. It was a good movie. Entertaining. Engaging. The problem people may see in it is that the idea around it just causes disbelief and makes the serious crowd (like critics) think "how silly!" Just be a little imaginative and enjoy the ride. Literally, this movie is a ride. Basically it's about a child with a tough childhood who has a mental issue in which he discovers that while recalling moments of his past (reading his old diaries), he can travel through time and relive the moment. But, careful...reliving it significantly differently alters his future. The concept itself is really cool. Teens and people in their early 20s would love it. The older crowd may get critical because some of the events of this kids life is very random. If you think to much about it, you would find it silly, but otherwise, it seems cool. Ashton Kutcher was cute in his role. He does exemplify the typical American college boy. I actually think for a movie with a unique sci-fi, paranormal idea like this a more serious actor with a different personality (a more quiet, reserved, unassuming boy) would fit better with the plot. Nevertheless, I watched this movie twice and enjoyed it both times, so 4 stars it is.

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      GREAT Movie

      Posted
      PhantomIllusionist

      I waited far too long to check this movie out. I recently saw a bit of it on TV and didn't get a chance to finish it, so I picked it up. I am so glad that I did. It is a dark movie that is disturbing in a way, but very fun to watch. I highly recommend it for anyone who feels like they want to watch a thought inducing movie. Aston Kutcher gives a great performance.

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      Good movie

      Posted
      Greenbean
      • Verified PurchaserVerified Purchase
      • My Best Buy® Elite Plus MemberElite Plus Member

      This review is from The Butterfly Effect [Director's Cut/Theatrical Cut] [Blu-ray] [2004]

      I saw this movie a few years back and thought the story line was different and interesting. I even bought the sequel and thought it was just as good as the first movie. I decided to purchase this movie as a Christmas gift for my son because we usually have a movie day with the family on Christmas Day.

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

      Intriguing

      Posted
      Kamahama3x
      • Verified PurchaserVerified Purchase
      • My Best Buy® Elite MemberElite Member
      • Top 50 ContributorTop 50 Contributor

      This review is from The Butterfly Effect [Director's Cut/Theatrical Cut] [Blu-ray] [2004]

      A very interesting, thought-provoking movie about the ripple effects of our actions to our future and to others. A surprise that the movie is so good. I would not think something with Ashton Kutcher would be good, but the person who recommended this to me was right!

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      Great movie

      Posted
      Layz

      Ashton Kutcher did a wonderful job as the lead in the sci-fi thriller that wll have you on the edge of your seat. Anybody that wants to travel back into time to change the past, never thinks about what will happen to the future, and this movie could make a person rethink time travel

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      What a gem

      Posted
      JKKINARD
      • Verified PurchaserVerified Purchase
      • My Best Buy® Elite MemberElite Member

      This review is from The Butterfly Effect [Director's Cut/Theatrical Cut] [Blu-ray] [2004]

      Truly original and amazing acting by Ashton Kutcher, which was surprising I must say. The movie definitely has some strange content but it is highly entertaining and one I can watch on almost any night. It certainly is fun despite some of the content involved.

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      I Own It

      Posted
      KansasBob

      This is a movie that not many of my friends had seen before, and after they watch it, they become a fan. I like a good science fiction type of movie and this is one. It took me more that one watching to figure a few things out. My wife likes it too.

      I would recommend this to a friend

    • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

      THE BEST MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!!!!

      Posted
      Lauren

      I LOVE THIS MOVIE IT IS MY FAVE!!!!!!!!!! I WOULD RECOMED IT FOR ANY ONE!!! BUT MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE UNDER LIKE 15 ASK A PARENT CAUSE I SAW THIS WHEN I WAS 12 AND IT IS PRETTY BAD ABOUT LANGUE AND OTHER STUFF!!!!! BEST MOVIE EVER!!!

      I would recommend this to a friend

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