Rating: 
Summary: misunderstood
Review: While looking through these numerous reviews, it's hard to separate the people who like the movie because they think it's cool-looking and those who actually understand it, specifically the ending. Even if you do get the ending, it only deserves four stars. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with four stars. But there really aren't any original ideas. Think of it as a remake of the New Testament. Remakes can be very good, as this one is, but they're simply not original. So if you're looking for a ground-breaking, exceptional piece of cinema this will probably fool you into thinking it is. For everyone else who simply want a good movie different from your standard fare, look no further. To simplify it even further,unless you're searching for the best movie ever, see this one. If you don't get it the first few times you probably never will so have someone explain it to you.
Rating: 
Summary: In All Honesty
Review: After reading some of the reviews, I realized that this movie wasn't as bad as I originally thought. But still there are some things that need to be said. I believe the directors and writers of this movie intended for it to be complex, but rather than this, they made it an unorganized collection of clips and dialog just to fit into a two hour time limit. This movie did have amazing if not the greatest inventive plotline I have ever seen, it tackled the most important issues in life and death. Such as religion and/or non-religion, the human mind, family, and love. But Nothing was portrayed the way it was intended to be portrayed. Many characters including Drew Barrymore?s were underdeveloped, and when events took place in their lives, there was no impact to the viewer because of this. The impact fulness of every event in this movie is dwindled down to a bead because of the lack of character development. After watching The Virgin Suicides, I understand that it is the idea of some directors and writers to create a sort of third person view movie, as if a book. This would have made an excellent book. It makes the viewer focus more on the moral issues and imagery of the story rather than the characters. However, it seems the producers wanted to impress completely different groups of audiences, one teenagers, the other, the oddballs of the world. Due to the lack of structure to the movie, all of us oddballs were disappointed, especially with certain mediocre scenes of some characters (Donnie/sister/friends) using out of place profanity and sexual content, when this time could have been targeted to character development and relationships. Due to this, I was unable to see the character Donnie as a rare and brilliant person, and rather just an average, mediocre teenager. This is far from complex and brilliant scenes. The teenage crowd was unimpressed by this sloppy attempt at teenage relation. Many of the deleted scenes were vital, and needed to be included in the movie in order for the viewer to feel and understand the whole concept of it. But the movie was inventive, and had some note worthy parts to it. Sadly, this was just the stories topics, original they were, but not done justice by the acting and character interaction. The thing that gave it mystical complex beauty was the music, which sets the viewer off into a journey into the stars. To anyone, I would suggest buying just the album, which is excellent, the score is the only thing that saved this movie from being mush, and providing it with a certain brilliance I was expecting. The movie was certainly original, and honestly brilliant in some aspects. But greatly flawed.
Rating: 
Summary: A truly amazing film, one of my favorites...
Review: I can't add much that isnt already said about this original, thought provoking film, except to say that this is one of my all-time favorites and almost nobody has heard of it.
Rating:
Summary: Donnie Darko the Superhero
Review: Director Richard Kelly tells us in the DVD extras that he felt like Donnie is a superhero that's been given a job to do. Watch it like it's a comic about an ordinary, not-so-mild-mannered schoolboy that's been given a mission from up high. I liked the film a lot when I first saw it, but what makes this one special (like so many others) is the way you get something new each time you see it.
There are so many great things to say about the plot that it's not worth it to write. Suffice it to say that it's never boring, always original and will remind you of.......nothing. There's no other movie like this. It's some crazy blend of thriller, comedy, drama and sci-fi. Maybe that means Kelly has created a new category. I certainly think that any movie that's hard to classify is a winner. The cast is superb. Each play their part to perfection; you sympathize with Donnie, hate the health teacher, love the two young teachers, fear Frank, and despise Jim Cunningham. When bigshot actors like Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore and Mary McDonnell all play small parts, you know that they did this movie not for the money, but because they believed in this film. They trusted the rookie director, and they were right to do so. Religion pervades the film, and with careful viewing, you can get a whole new perspective that hopefully will serve as an inspiration to both agnostics and believers. It might remind you of another young man that willingly gave his life for the people and the world that he loved. If you get the DVD, watch all the extras, and you'll get a lot more out of it. Rent it, buy it, borrow it, but whatever you do, don't go without seeing this stunning achievement.
Rating:
Summary: Cheers all around for a magnificent movie
Review: The first time I saw Donnie Darko, my jaw was hanging on the floor as the credits began to roll. I was literally staring at my TV, dumbfounded at the spectacle I had just witnessed. The only other movies I've seen that have produced a similar effect were "Requiem for a Dream," and, to a lesser extent, "Mulholland Drive." If you liked those two movies, you'll like "Donnie Darko," especially if you found "Requiem" too depressing and "Mulholland" too jumbled. Granted, it's a downer, and it's convoluted, but not as much as the other two, thus sort of being an in between of those two movies. First time writer and director (and hopefully not last time) Richard Kelly has created an unclassifiable movie, that truly defies description. However, since I want to be an informative reviewer, I'll do my best. "Donnie Darko" is about many things. On the grand scale, it's about choice, God, and inevitability. On a smaller scale, it's about time paradoxes, disturbed minds, and coming of age (sort of). I prefer to look at the movie on the former, but the well acted characters force me to treat the movie more personally, and involve the emotions as well as the intellect. As far as direct plot is concerned, I'll simply give the set up, because there's no one thing that the movie is "about." Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is about 17 or 18, in high school in the 80's, and mentally disturbed. He's a morbid person, but perceptive, and both smart and wise. He is awakened one night by a voice that calls him away from his bed and outside. There he meets Frank, who is a guy in a demonic rabbit costume. I suppose you could look at the film as what would happen if David Lynch directed "Harvey." Anyway, Frank informs Donnie that the world will end in 28 days (later, hehe), 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Donnie wakes up on a golf course. Meanwhile, during the night, a jet engine (that's right, a jet engine) from a plane crashes through the roof of Donnie's room. The tricky part is that the rest of the plane is nowhere to be found, and no flights were scheduled for such a flight path that day. Donnie now feels indebted to Frank for calling him out of bed, and thus saving his life. So begins the story. I can't tell anymore, because a) it's just too complicated, and b) I don't want to spoil it. The writing is incredible. Aside from the scattered main plot (which is drawn together beautifully), there are some excellent conversations and pieces of dialogue, my favorite being the discussion on the sexual habits of Smurfs. It's scenes like that that keep the movie with a lighter side. The backdrop of the 80's (1988, namely), which is very well done, provides an excellent setting, and provides an excellent soundtrack, which consists of original music and 80's tunes, with music by "Tears for Fears" being the standout. The slow, mellancholly, cover of "Mad World" at the end is devastating, and fits the moment so perfectly it's almost as if the song were created specifically for this movie. The acting is top notch. Jake Gyllenhaal proves himself a fantastic actor at last, after skirting with glory in other movies, like "October Sky." This is the movie he needed to recover from "Bubble Boy." The supporting cast does their job, even with admittedly trivial characters, like his english teacher (Drew Barrymore). His girlfriend (I don't know the actress) is a perfect match for him, and their relationship is heartbreaking in its content and in its context. In other words, the perfect match of sad people is that much more sad. Patrick Swayze is delicious in his role as a popular, but obviously phony, motivational speaker and writer. Mrs. Farmer (again, I forget the name, but she's the lady who fell under the bus in "Speed") is an excellent uptight teacher, and gets one of my favorite lines: "Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion!" This paragraph will have a few spoilers, so read on to the conclusion if you haven't seen it yet. The most recent time I viewed the movie (again), I picked up on the religious dimension of the film. I noticed the placement of "The Last Temptation of Christ" each time before, but this time I actually took note of Donnie's religious parallel. I understood in the moment right before the credits roll when Gretchen and Mrs. Darko have the strange connection that insinuates that they somehow "know" each other. I picked up on that a little bit the first few times as a connection transending space-time from the universe in which Donnie wasn't killed...Anyway, the last time I realized what the real connection was: without Donnie's sacrifice, they'd both be dead. For Donnie so loved the world that he gave himself to save Gretchen, his mother, his sister, Frank, and all the others on the plane... This movie is smart, emotionally powerful, and unbelievably original. Go see it. Now.
Rating:
Summary: decent
Review: I saw it,it was a nice trip though it didn't have much of an impact on me.Wach "Jacobs ladder"(a must see) or "Pi" which is somewhat similar to DD.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Obsessed With It
Review: Like it or not...I rate some movies by how often I will watch bits (or scenes) when they're shown on tv/cable. And Donnie Darko has been on HBO a lot. And from the first time that I saw the ending scene with the song Mad World, I was hooked. Every time I see this is on TV as I'm flipping channels, I absolutely MUST stop and look. So I finally went ahead and bought it. (I won't go into the main plot line or details, as you can read those in many other reviews.) It is just so interesting and weird and different. So many different story lines that come together so well. But at the same time, you never quite fully understand it. (You think, if I just watch it again, maybe I'll finally get it.) And the Darko family, all five of them, are so perfect as actors and characters. There is a great cast of supporting roles. Throw in the time travel and the school and the talent show...You have to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Darkly fascinating
Review: This isn't a film I would have normally picked up and watched, but I found myself really enjoying it. Don't pay any attention to the blurb on the back - it doesn't even scrape the top of the surface of what the film is about. It's full of complex issues and left me wanting more. Not necessarily a sequel, just a bit more explanation. If you were watching this film in a group, it's the kind of film where you can sit and discuss it, and certain parts would have significance for different people. Only seeing this on VHS meant it was full screen and pan and scan, so I missed out on some of the picture. I noticed it once, what would have featured two of the characters in the shot, the camera moved between them. I'm sure there's some correct terminology for that, but I don't know it. Jake Gyllenhaal, currently dating Kirsten Dunst, reminded me so much of Toby Maguire (Spiderman), and he seemed to be permanently tired. But maybe that was how the character was supposed to be portrayed. I thought that Drew Barrymore and Patrick Swayze should have had bigger parts in this film, as I felt a lot of stuff was left unsaid, especially with Patrick Swayze. And how different did Drew Barrymore look? It's not the usual type of role that you are used to seeing her in. You're used to seeing her playing the kooky or playing a tough action girl, not playing a schoolteacher - which she did play very well. I recognised a few faces in this film, which really annoyed me, as I couldn't put names to faces, or figure out what other film I knew them from. Especially Donnie's older sister, the older teacher with the dark hair, and the therapist. I did recognise Noah Wyle, from ER, although I gave him the wrong name, up until seeing the end credits! A lot of guys would recognise themselves as the lead character in this film, having teenage angst, and girlfriend problems. Other people may identify more with the bad boy (who looked like Tom Cruise on a bad day!), the odd girl in the class, the class "freak", and the girl who was too scared to kiss her boyfriend. I guess I'll be having nightmares tonight, after watching that. After the freaky, bug eyed guy in Lost Highway, now it's "Frank", the giant bunny rabbit, with the abnormally big eyes. One thing that annoyed me about this film, was Jake and his constant use of wearing T-shirts under shirts. I hate guys who do that, what is the point? It looks daft. This film has shades of Final Destination and Sixth Sense, which is kinda scary. So similar, yet so different. The song towards the end has very poignant lyrics, especially considering what actually happens at the end. Watch the scenes, but listen to the lyrics. An intense film, very watchable, and thought provoking. If you haven't seen it, because the cover or the blurb put you off, give it a try. You'll enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie I've ever seen!!!
Review: Donnie Darko is the most ferociously independent movie i've ever seen. It has more plot twists and suprises than most people are ready for but, for people who like to watch a movie that they actually have to put some effort in understanding and keeping up with Donnie darko is perfect. You will not be able to get it all at first(It will probably take many viewings for you to understand everything). Everytime you will be interested and compeled. Donnie is a six-teen year old boy from suburban Virgina. In addition to having anger problems(for which he is taking medication) he is continually seeing a demonic 6ft. reptile-like bunny. Who tells him the world will end in one month. That night a 2,000 lb. jet engine falls on his bed(which was empty do to The Bunny Frank leading him out his room and onto a public golf course). Over the course of the next month he oberves the world around him and begins to question the universe's boundaries. After the climax of the action where 3/4 of the films questions are answered Donnie has to make the descion of saving himself or mostly everyone else he knows. I'm not going to give away the ending but Frank was right about the world ending in one month.
Besides being an indie( which gives it atomatic respect from me) The movie has the best message of any movie ever made ( i would know since i've been through a great deal of them ). There is no other movie that will leave you feeling like you have just been on such a journey, or that you will get more out of.
Rating:
Summary: Cryptic Delight
Review: I had never been as blown away by a film as I was when I first saw 'Donnie Darko' a little under a year ago. In fact, when I saw this at the cinema, I went back the next afternoon and saw it for a second time. It's that good. Like 'Fight Club', it's definitely the sort of film where a second viewing is really beneficial. I went in knowing little to nothing about this film, and that's the best way to approach it. The less you know about 'Darko', the better your enjoyment of the film will be. This is the sort of film that doesn't treat it's audience like children. It doesn't provide a simple story, it doesn't offer up any easy answers. This is the sort of brave and innovative filmmaking that makes up for all the insipid 'paint-by-numbers' films that have become standard multiplex fare. It's this sort of film that restores your faith in cinema. Every performance here is no less than first class, every moment no less than totally engaging. The DVD is wonderful, and the two commentaries - one with director Richard Kelly and star Jake Gyllenhaal, another with various other cast members including Drew Barrymore and (a very subdued) Jena Malone - are the highlights out of the multitude of bonus features on offer. 'Darko' fans will have great fun pouring over the other special features as well, including trailers, deleted scenes and 'The Philosophy of Time Travel.' 'Donnie Darko' is a cryptic, haunting gem of a movie that will stay with you long after the final credits roll.
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