::READERS REVIEWS::

Donnie Darko director's cut DVD - A troubled, confused and frightened young man attending private school attempts to figure out the end of reality with help from his imaginary friend. The movie has multiple layers of thematic elements which are not apparent in the first few viewings. Donnie Darko might be likened to Ferris Bueller on acid. It's a deep movie that doesn't explain everything, but clues are there so the viewer can piece together his own conclusions. Put this DVD in a prominent place in your video collection. You will want to watch it often as each viewing brings new revelations. Highly recommended.

Donnie Darko - The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition) - During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko sleepwalks out of his house one night, and sees a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. He returns home the next morning to find that a jet engine has crashed through his bedroom. As he tries to figure out why he survived and tries to deal with people in his town, like the school bully, his conservative health teacher, and a self-help guru, Frank continues to turn up in Donnie's mind, causing him to commit acts of vandalism and worse. The performances in this movie are exquisite. The talent in this movie is top notch and Gyllenhall is just amazing. People will either love it, or despise it with all their heart. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone who has a taste for dark humor and a desire to put the pieces of the puzzle together over and over, long after the movie has ended. You can't watch it only once.

damaged but easily fixed by seller - The DVD case arrived damaged but I contacted the seller and they quickly replied. We found a compromise that seemed to work for both parties. The package did also arrive quickly to my location.

The More Footage the Better - I for one love movies closer to the as "concieved" or as filmed versions as possible. ALOT of studios and their execs have opinions that dont mesh with the people who came up with the idea in the first place. Mainly for timing issues, the shorter the movie the more seatings they fill and popcorn they sell. I love Directors cuts and extended version almost always over the theatrical cut. Why would you want to see a truncated, or shorter version "vision" when you can have it all. I like both versions but the longer cut always fills in more plot holes and or character development. This cut to me is more of a masterpiece more music (the songs meant to be there)more weirdness and, I love it!! Peace to all

Director's Cut vs. Theatrical Version - First of all, in this review I am mostly going to address the idea of the constant debate over the Theatrical Version vs. the Director's cut. This is not really a summary, so yeah, sorry.

I don't know if I can say which is better, it's really up to personal preference. The director's cut is different in the sense that it adds in some scenes, slightly alters others, and changes/rearranges some of the music and scoring.

The theatrical cut is much more poetic. A lot of people say that it is better because it leaves so much interpretation as to what all happens to the viewer.

The Director's Cut helps explain more of what happens, and the supernatural aspect of it, and leaves less interpretation. It tends to put a lot of focus on the sci/fi side of it.

Most people tend to like the version better that they saw first. I would recommend the Theatrical Version, but really either is better. For any Donnie Darko fan, I'd say to have both. I really like the commentary on the Director's Cut, it helps get an insight into all the thoughts that went into the movies, the changes made in the director's cut, and the music. It is quite interesting to listen to.

Hope that might help your decision.
=)

Brilliant (If a bit Mind Bending) Film - After hearing from so many people, "I can't believe you, of all people, haven't seen this movie," I finally watched DONNIE DARKO (2001). I got the movie for Christmas, and it's been sitting there, waiting for me to sit down and watch it. I kept thinking it was a slasher movie or something, and really didn't want to see a slasher movie, but because everyone kept saying I'd like it, including my son, I finally watched. It's not a slasher movie - chalk that up to really bad marketing years back when it came out. DONNIE DARKO is by far one of the best dark, strange, and brilliant films I've watched in a long, long time. And I don't use the word "brilliant" for movies lightly. OK, I can be pretty easy to please sometimes, but in this case - wow. Now, it might not be for everyone, it's a little surreal, definitely creepy, but the cast, especially (but not limited to) Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie, is so strong, the writing and, hell, everything down to the music, it is an experience you should treat yourself to. Now, I strongly recommend getting the Director's Cut - it's 20 minutes longer but I can't imagine a minute of it being cut, and supposedly the special effects were ramped up - so if you end up missing the stunning visuals towards the end, then you're missing out. Won't get into the plot much, but I will suggest that to understand it, read carefully the pages of the book he finds (you'll know what I mean when you watch it), even pause the DVD enough to do this. They might make no sense, but it'll get your head ready for the ending. Anyway, a 5 out of 5 stars in the Dan movie book, if you like slightly left-of-center films, which I do. :-)

WTF ? - OK...I was entertained but, this entire movie is really strange and then NO ENDING! :)
Probably I should have given it more stars but, I hate movies that leave you hanging.

Master DON -

GOOD FLICK , GOOD CONDITION ; THANX ,DON

What are these critical people talking about? - As a science fiction fan and HUGE fan of the original version, this director's cut didn't take anything away from the film. It added elements of the science fiction aspect of the story that were missing from the original. Yes, in the original it was more ambiguous whether or not this was all happening in Donnie's head or not and the director's cut gives a more clear conclusion (that it was all really happening) but why is that a bad thing? For those of us who were wondering we now have a more definitive answer; especially if you listen to the commentary banter between Richard Kelly (director) and Kevin Smith.

That was the real bonus from the director's cut DVD -- the conversational style of the DVD commentary made it the best I've ever heard. The one thing that sucks about DVD commentaries is most directors will say stuff like this, "Oh, this was an interesting scene because it was raining that day and it took us several takes to get it right." Who freaking cares??? I'd rather know the intent behind a scene especially in a film that it is to be interpreted -- like "Donnie Darko". That's what you get from this DVD and that's why it's a must for Darko fans.

Overall, the added footage plus the Roberta Sparrow interpositions make the director's cut a more definitive science fiction classic; one that shouldn't be missed!

What are these critical people talking about? - As a science fiction fan and HUGE fan of the original version, this director's cut didn't take anything away from the film. It added elements of the science fiction aspect of the story that were missing from the original. Yes, in the original it was more ambiguous whether or not this was all happening in Donnie's head and the director's cut gives a more clear conclusion (that it was all really happening) but why is that a bad thing? For those of us who were wondering we now have a more definitive answer; especially if you listen to the commentary banter between Richard Kelly (director) and Kevin Smith.

That was the real bonus from the director's cut DVD -- the conversational style of the DVD commentary made it the best I've ever heard. The one thing that sucks about DVD commentaries is most directors will say stuff like this, "Oh, this was an interesting scene because it was raining that day and it took us several takes to get it right." Who freaking cares??? I'd rather know the intent behind a scene especially in a film that it is to be interpreted -- like "Donnie Darko". That's what you get from this DVD and that's why it's a must for Darko fans.

Overall, the added footage plus the Roberta Sparrow interpositions make the director's cut a more definitive science fiction classic; one that shouldn't be missed!

Directors Cut is better. - I watched the theatrical version of Donnie Darko multiple times. I loved it, and really enjoyed how it played with my mind. It was just one of those movies that I could watch over and over, and the humor never got old. It is a comedy, with sci-fi undertones, but it is also so much more. Everything in the movie clicked just right, and watching it is always a real joy. When I saw the directors cut, I immediately realized what I had been missing just watching the theatrical version, and I liked it even more. I think personally, you have to watch the theatrical release first, and really think about it, and then watch the Directors Cut and enjoy all the added explainations. The directors cut is a much more solid movie, and everythiing is more crisp, and clear. All of the questions I was left wondering about after watching the theatrical release were answered for me in the directors cut, and that was great. I hear complaints that it took the mystery out of the movie. Well, if Donnie Darko had been a mystery movie, that would suck, but it wasnt', it was a Dark Comedy. The directors cut didn't take any of the darkness, or the comedy out of the movie, it simply made it make more sense. I don't see how any true fan of Donnie Darko could not like seeing a fuller version of the movie they claim to like. The directors cut doesn't take anything away from the movie, it just adds to it. Everything that is added is done so with great care, and only enhances the original film. It made a really, really good movie into a great movie.

Commentary with Kevin Smith turns this DVD release into a comedy - I own both versions of the movie. In all honesty I prefer the original cut with the sequence of music in that version as opposed to the director's cut with the new sequence of music and the placement of songs that they could not afford to include in the initial release. That being said, the director's commentary assisted by Kevin Smith is pure gold and is the highlight of the DVD release. It reminds me of the comedic DVD commentary found on the Coen Bros movie, 'Blood Simple.'

Sleepwalking teen. - Donnie Darko is one of those films you will either love or hate. I sort of love this movie, I saw it over a month ago and still can't get this dark comedy out of my head. Jake Gyllenhaal tends to overact sometimes but overall, his performance as the title character is quite engaging. His sister Maggie Gyllenhaal also stars, she is such a powerful and intense actress. Even Patrick Swayze is a marvel, probably his finest performance of his short, amazing career. The premise is really outrageous but Donnie Darko will leave you scratching your head and that's a good thing!