That is when the world ends.
Donnie Darko is a master piece in the science fiction and horror genre, from the screenplay to the on screen representation. The use of dark lighting is perfect in personifying the confusion that the viewer feels, as well as, symbolizing the dark themes and stories within the movie. The special effects are also very notable, for instance, in one scene Donnie hits the invisible barrier separating him and Frank, shaking the entire screen. Another is the use of special effect lighting in which one scene Donnie follows these beams along his own timeline. Also, for all its darkness and mind bending moments, Donnie Darko also knows when to be funny (for instance, the auditorium scene in which Donnie tells off a guest speaker).
The first time I saw Donnie Darko I had no idea what I had just watched but I knew I liked it. I have since, of course, viewed it multiple times and still find it both intriguing and highly intelligent as the first view, albeit now understanding what is happening.
Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a disturbed teenager who is haunted by a man in a creepy rabbit suit, Frank (for someone who suffers from leporiphobia I found this especially terrifying). Frank warns him that the world will be ending in less than a month. One night, a plane engine lands in Donnie's room, which should have killed him if he were not out meeting Frank. Disturbed by visions, Donnie sets out to figure out what everything means. What ensues is a dark twist on time travel and a series of events which explain the airplane engine in Donnie's room and the existence of Frank.
The mental stability of Donnie is put to the test as he struggles to make sense of things and save the world from ending. In the process Donnie makes friends and alienates others leading to a plot filled with multiple twists and turns. We also see Donnie change and develop into a more elaborate character.
It may take more than one watch to understand the plot in its entirety, but do not be put off by this, it took at least 3 full views for me. Even then, there are plenty of YouTube videos in which people explain the plot's tricky aspects.
Also stars Drew Barrymore and Jena Malone
Overall rating: You should have already seen this movie. If you haven't, YOU MUST!
Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a disturbed teenager who is haunted by a man in a creepy rabbit suit, Frank (for someone who suffers from leporiphobia I found this especially terrifying). Frank warns him that the world will be ending in less than a month. One night, a plane engine lands in Donnie's room, which should have killed him if he were not out meeting Frank. Disturbed by visions, Donnie sets out to figure out what everything means. What ensues is a dark twist on time travel and a series of events which explain the airplane engine in Donnie's room and the existence of Frank.
The mental stability of Donnie is put to the test as he struggles to make sense of things and save the world from ending. In the process Donnie makes friends and alienates others leading to a plot filled with multiple twists and turns. We also see Donnie change and develop into a more elaborate character.
Also stars Drew Barrymore and Jena Malone
Overall rating: You should have already seen this movie. If you haven't, YOU MUST!
S. Darko:
Sequels can often be creative in expanding the plot of an original and showing the future of characters. Donnie Darko's sequel, S. Darko follows the future of Donnie's little sister Samantha (Daveigh Chase) years after Donnie Darko's conclusion. AVOID S. DARKO. Richard Kelly, the original director and writer of Donnie Darko had nothing to do with this movie and it shows. While the character of Samantha is portrayed by the same actress this movie feels like it is from a completely different universe absolutely parallel to that of Donnie Darko. The two have seemingly nothing in common and it feels like S. Darko is trying to live too much in Donnie Darko's limelight, which it fails drastically. The movie goes as far to even try and introduce a Frank character.
Things that made sense in the prequel do not transition well into the sequel and this makes the screenplay and the movie unbearable to watch, especially with such a great original model.
Overall Review: Don't watch!
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