Donnie Darko is a troubled kid: His therapy isn't going well, he has stopped taking his medication and a six-foot bunny named Frank has started telling him what to do.
After a jet engine falls through the roof and into Donnie's bedroom, things really get weird. And conversations with Frank lead Donnie to begin investigating the scientific and philosophical foundations of time travel.
This is the premise of director Richard Kelly's mind-bending film, which hit theaters in 2001 even as Kelly was saying it didn't live up to his vision. Strong DVD sales gave the director a chance to re-craft the movie, and "Donnie Darko -- The Director's Cut" came out in 2004. It's this new version that comes to DVD on Tuesday.
Kelly's new cut ramps up the science fiction side of "Donnie Darko" while retaining the mix of mystery, family drama and John Hughes-style teen flick that made the original so refreshing. The director's cut includes more excerpts from the imaginary book "The Philosophy of Time Travel," which clearly spell out an underlying plot that was obscure and often difficult to grasp in the original.
In addition to the book excerpts, the film boasts new scenes and music choices. It opens with INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart" instead of Echo & the Bunnymen's "The Killing Moon." The most effective new footage focuses on Donnie's relationship with his family, especially a later scene with his father, and these scenes add a necessary depth to some of the film's more important characters.
Interesting extra features include a commentary track with Kelly and "Dogma" director Kevin Smith (who had nothing to do with this film but does share his reaction to it). A production diary with optional commentary from photography director Steven Poster explores the technical aspects of the film.
A collection of testimonials from "Darko" fans in London, called "They Made Me Do It Too," is a fairly pointless exercise, but "#1 Fan: A Darkomentary," which documents a crazed fan's obsession, is both ludicrous and funny.
Die-hard "Darko" fans may find the film's alterations disappointing. The original, which was great fodder for discussion and interpretation, is now a much more static piece that some might say goes too far in holding the audience's hand.
But for those more interested in a smart, edgy, yet more straightforward film, the director's cut of "Donnie Darko" will be a welcome update.
Donnie Darko -- The Director's Cut
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment;
DVD $26.98; rated R; available Tuesday
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