Director: Richard Kelly
Writer: Richard Kelly
Duration: 133 minutes Blu-ray Director’s Cut
Released: 19th July 2010
Back in 2001 when I first saw Donnie Darko I was blown away. Confused, creeped-out and amazed are some of the words that I would use to describe my feelings towards this film. I’ve seen it once, maybe twice again on DVD since that first viewing but I was extremely excited to hear that the film, now very much a cult classic, was making its way onto blu-ray.
Jake Gyllenhaal is Donnie Darko a troubled teenager who has visions of a six foot rabbit that manipulates him into committing a series of crimes. All of this comes after Donnie narrowly escapes a plane crashing into his house. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Elizabeth Darko, while James Duval stars as Frank.
Darko looks very good indeed on blu-ray. Admittedly there are some scenes were grain remains, but a lot of the film was shot at night and only so much can be done to improve the picture quality of old film stock I suppose. And would you want to see every one of your favourite films without a hint of age to them? Every film you loved from years ago devoid of character, having been given the ultimate HD facelift? I wouldn’t. For some films it’s just not suitable or appropriate. The Blu-ray difference doesn’t stop at the picture though, the improvement in the sound, can also be appreciated. The 5.1 surround sound offers deep rumbling bass and a really nice mix throughout the speakers including, importantly the rear speakers. Blu-ray has been good to Donnie Darko. Although Director Richard Kelly has since released a very disappointing couple of films – Southland Tales and The Box – Darko still stands up a decade after its release as testimony to Kelly’s brilliance in terms of both script writing and direction.
This Director’s Cut offers around an extra 20 minutes of re-inserted footage as well as a very interesting Director commentary which will tell you pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about the film as Kelly dissects his own work in the finest of detail.
