26 April 2021

Review: Donnie Darko (Limited EditionUHD)

4K UHD Blu-ray: Donnie Darko (2001)

I normally like to start my reviews off with a little synopsis, just to get you in the mood. However, sometimes this is impossible, either because any information about this film will give the plot away or, as in the case of Donnie Darko, not only would I give the plot but would also have to write about God, time travel, ghosts, possible alien intervention and various theories about … this film, and most of all I would confuse the hell out of you if you’ve never seen it. Much loved since its release, I suppose one could call this a cult film, but it’s more than just quirky and oddball. Director/writer Richard Kelly treats the viewer as an intelligent being, able to make his/her own decisions on the meaning of this film and interpret it themselves.

Kelly was 26 when he made this film and his youth and fearlessness comes through in both story and direction. Turning his gaze on Middle America in the 1980’s, incorporating paedophilia and religion along with time travel and mental illness was a brave move. Couple that with no clear explanation for the events in the story and you have a film that will affect you, whether or not you ‘understand’ it. The acting in this film is of course top notch; a very young Jake Gyllenhaal is amazing as the laconic, smirking and sleepy eyed Donnie. Special mention to Holmes Osborne as Donnie’s awesomely funny dad Eddie. Also Patrick Swayze, acting against type and doing a great turn as sleazy Jim Cunningham.

My one complaint about the story in this movie is the character of Roberta Sparrow/Grandma Death. I always feel there should have been a little more of her. She seems to be central to the story, but perhaps more of her would make the story more tangible and ruin it.

There are two versions of this movie included in this 4k UHD Arrow Films release. One is the original theatrical cut, and the other the longer directors cut, which includes some deleted scenes such as the pumpkin carving scene with Maggie Gyllenhaal. It also makes the story a little ‘clearer’. For example: pages of the book written by Grandma death about time travel appear in scenes explaining why certain things are happening.

There are also an incredible selection of special features, with numerous audio commentaries, behind the scenes documentaries, and even a 100 page hardback book to sit back and relax with.

The 4K visuals really help with clarity in the darker scenes, revealing details that I’d previously overlooked in other releases, with the fine amount of film grain keeping that lovely cinematic look. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio also had me looking over my shoulder a few times and definitely adds to the immersion.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:

New 4K restorations of both the Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut from the original camera negatives by Arrow Films, supervised and approved by director Richard Kelly and cinematographer Steven Poster
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentations of both cuts in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
100-page hardcover book featuring writing by Nathan Rabin, Anton Bitel and Jamie Graham, an in-depth interview with Richard Kelly, an introduction by Jake Gyllenhaal and contemporary coverage, illustrated with original stills and promotional materials
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece
Six double-sided collector’s postcards
Limited Edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Luke Preece

DISC 1 – THE THEATRICAL CUT [4K UHD BLU-RAY]

Audio commentary by writer-director Richard Kelly and actor Jake Gyllenhaal
Audio commentary by Kelly, producer Sean McKittrick and actors Drew Barrymore, Jena Malone, Beth Grant, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Katharine Ross and James Duval
Deus ex Machina: The Philosophy of Donnie Darko, a documentary by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures on the making of Donnie Darko, containing interviews with writer-director Richard Kelly, producer Sean McKittrick, cinematographer Steven Poster, editor Sam Bauer, composer Michael Edwards, costume designer April Ferry, production designer Alec Hammond and actor James Duval
The Goodbye Place, Kelly’s 1996 short film, which anticipates some of the themes and ideas of his feature films
20 deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by Kelly
Trailer

DISC 2 – THE DIRECTOR’S CUT [4K UHD BLU-RAY]

Audio commentary by Kelly and filmmaker Kevin Smith
The Donnie Darko Production Diary, an archival documentary charting the film’s production, with optional commentary by cinematographer Steven Poster
Archive interviews with Kelly, actors Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne, Noah Wyle and Katharine Ross, producers Sean McKittrick, Nancy Juvonen, Hunt Lowry and Casey La Scala, and cinematographer Steven Poster
Three archive featurettes: They Made Me Do It, They Made Me Do It Too and #1 Fan: A Darkomentary
Storyboard comparisons
B-roll footage
Cunning Visions infomercials
Music video: Mad World by Gary Jules
Galleries
Director’s Cut trailer
TV spots