"Childish. Simple. Foolish. Narcissistic. Half-hearted. Once again, men attempt to play God.
Blah blah blah. Utterly dreadful."
Opening strike!
Wait, isn't this supposed to be a positive review? Why does it seem so… off?
This critique from The Hollywood Reporter, scoring an impressive 85 out of 100, is the highest among the first wave of media reviews for The Butterfly Effect.
Though it's surprising to see such a rating from The Hollywood Reporter, a positive review from such an authoritative and professional outlet is worth its weight in gold.
But that opening… is it normal? Did they miscalculate the score, leaving out a decimal point? Could it actually be an 8.5 instead of an 85?
Clearly, something's off.
But The Hollywood Reporter knows what it's doing.
"Yes, that's true. But why act so surprised? Doesn't Hollywood churn out 300 films like this every year?
At least The Butterfly Effect had the courage and audacity to choose this ending—refusing to compromise, rejecting perfection, and defying the mainstream. It carries a certain tragic weight, forcing the protagonist to face the consequences of every foolish, arrogant, and impulsive decision, even if it leads to disaster.
If the ending had been different, I would've hated this film, as it would've turned into a self-indulgent fantasy for the frat-boy crowd, amplifying every flaw tenfold into a hypocritical, self-serving narrative. In fact, I believe that's what the directors/writers initially envisioned—
Because the crew revealed that the film features five different endings.
God, I can already picture at least three of them.
And yet, I believe it was Anson Wood who pulled the reins on this runaway carriage before it plunged off a cliff, insisting on showing this particular ending at the premiere, even at the cost of everything.
That alone distinguishes The Butterfly Effect from the other 299 films.
What's more, The Butterfly Effect has the audacity to release the other four endings to theaters, attempting something entirely new.
In the film, Anson imbues his character with an unbelievable—dare I say it—depth.
Like opening Pandora's box, we watch as an ignorant fraternity boy transforms into a man willing to take responsibility. His pain, his struggles, and his despair draw the audience into this chaotic story with extraordinary dramatic tension.
Without a doubt, Anson's performance gives the story credibility. Rachel McAdams and Heath Ledger also deliver compelling performances in their scenes together, culminating in a story with a tragic hue—
Let's not forget, the protagonist is only 20 years old. Of course, he's supposed to be immature."
Eighty-five points!
Bold, unwavering, and clear in its stance.
The Hollywood Reporter sails against the tide, standing firm amidst a sea of criticism and offering an outstanding 85 points.
The lowest score? A measly 10 from The Wall Street Journal.
The highest? That 85 from The Hollywood Reporter.
This was an unexpected turn of events leading up to the release of The Butterfly Effect—
The Hollywood Reporter and The Wall Street Journal, two major outlets, are now at odds!
In the succinct summary of their review, The Hollywood Reporter states:
"You'll appreciate the foolish, naive, and arrogant mistakes in this film because they're the price of youth and fate's cruel joke. Meanwhile, Anson Wood's star power elevates the story, delivering a punch of emotional resonance. The perfect holiday season pick."
Unbelievable!
The Hollywood Reporter's firm stance becomes even more striking when contrasted with the widespread negative reviews.
This also marks the beginning of a polarizing debate.
Interestingly, The Hollywood Reporter isn't alone in its praise. This dichotomy of admiration and criticism fuels the growing divide.
On one side, we have The Hollywood Reporter vs. The Wall Street Journal. On the other, The Los Angeles Times vs. The New York Times.
This time, the roles are reversed.
The Los Angeles Times hated The Butterfly Effect, awarding it a mere 20 points, oozing disdain and refusing to give it a second glance. Meanwhile, The New York Times took the opposite stance with 80 points.
"This is a work that bombards you with dramatic tension, teetering on the edge of becoming a soap opera. Yet Anson's nuanced and restrained performance keeps it on course, guiding the chaotic emotional turmoil with clarity and purpose.
A complex, desperate, and turbulent emotional core is brought to life by Anson's grounded and magnetic performance.
Undoubtedly, this is a surprise. One of the year's must-watch films."
High praise, extreme high praise—arguably more shocking than the 80-point score itself.
While Nicholas Flynn's report for The New York Times had already made its position clear, Flynn is a journalist, not a film critic.
Thus, the review from The New York Times' professional film critic holds immense value, complementing Nicholas's in-depth feature.
Even The New York Times' own editorial team hadn't anticipated this turn of events. They had expected Master and Commander to sweep through with a resounding triumph, only to find dissent within their own ranks.
Now, the situation has become truly fascinating.
Other reviews:
- San Francisco Chronicle: 75 points. "In a way so absurd it's almost incomprehensible, The Butterfly Effect is the most entertaining film of this holiday season. Amid an immature script, sloppy directing, cheap cinematography, and blaring music, Anson Wood finds a way to keep audiences glued to their seats for this two-hour roller coaster ride."
- Baltimore Sun: 75 points. "The Butterfly Effect's biggest problem: stupidity. Its greatest asset: Anson Wood."
- USA Today: 73 points. "The script tries too hard to craft a fateful tragedy, making every twist feel shallow and contrived. Yet, astonishingly, the film is compelling, thanks to the actors. Heath Ledger once again proves his ability to shine amidst terrible writing, and Anson Wood demonstrates star power for the first time."
- Variety: 70 points. "A textbook case of the cast saving a film. Anson Wood, Rachel McAdams, Heath Ledger, and a talented supporting cast achieve the impossible: making an awful script watchable."
- Empire: 70 points. "A disastrous script, but how does Anson Wood manage to shine like a beacon amid the wreckage?"
- Entertainment Weekly: 68 points. "Who would've thought Anson Wood could captivate audiences even outside his comfort zone? His performance far exceeds expectations, as do the others. Personally, I didn't like the overly melodramatic ending, but hey, we have four other versions to choose from."
(Chapter ends.)