I have yet to decide, but it's possible it could be both, which is why I'm giving it a neutral three stars. The first time I saw this movie I can see how to support both arguments. On one hand the acting was rancid by Kutcher, although not as terrible as CSM may make it out to be. Direction can get tedious every now and then, and it gets a bit repetitive to see Kutcher wake up in some bed with a hemorrage every time he changes something. However, the pluses were that the plot is highly intriguing and near the end little twists pop up, despite the fact that they were a bit obvious about halfway through the movie. Then again I thought "Seven"'s ending was way too obvious, which is ironic seeing as the younger characters viewed that movie within the movie. If you get into movies as I do, then you really feel sad for the main character as the movie progresses, and I admit that I partially cried at the end, since I think we can all take the result of what happened and insert it into our own lives, mainly if you have lost someone very close to you. As far as content goes, it deserves its rating from the language mostly, but there is some violence and sexual activity/dialogue present at times. I have to disagree that the movie was either dark or disturbing however, but I understand that that is all purely based on one's tolerance to subject matter in movies. So if you think the movie sounds interesting, I reccommend it with reservations, because I realize there are many bad things in the technical standpoints for the movie, but the plot was enough to draw me in.

Ok, no, its not for kids. When i first watched it, I went into depressed mode for the whole day and part of the next day. Its chilling, sometimes obscene, and definately, definately crazy. Its not a glance at the real world, its far from it. Its not supposed to be. Its supposed to be the truth about "The Buterfly Effect". Something small happens somewhere leads to something big happening somewhere else. I think thats the main message. That, and the fact that if something's laid out for you, you just gotta take it. No point changing it, because its there. I thought it was twisted, and it can definately make you question yourself too, but overall, the movie had a good plot, and that makes it enjoyable, or if thats not the right word to use, then at least, fast paced. All I can say is respect the age rating for this movie, which is correctly focused on 15 and up. Good movie, great actors, sad ending, ok experience.

This is appropriate for people about 12 years old and mature 10/11 year olds.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT is actually a branch of the Chaos Theory. What's the Chaos Theory...long story short, it practically says we can't predict the future. Why not? That's where THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT comes in. The Butterfly Effect states that: Because of the constant choices and every little thing we can, could, and could've done, we can't predict the future. If you breathed, "HUFF, HUFF, HUFF" WAIT!!! What if he held it? "HUFF...HUFF" Any small change can change the future in the most drastic ways. As this movie shows. This movie has good role models: "No one could possibly love anyone as much as I love you,” Evan(Ashton Kutcher) tells his true love Kayleigh(Amy Smart) sometime in the movie. And his actions largely back up the statement. He even makes the biggest sacrifice-which may also be the most heart-wrenching ending ever- in romance movie history. This movie also shows how much children need a father figure. Now, that wouldn't be much even WITHOUT the bad stuff. So imagine it WITH the bad stuff. Violence. Now, I LOVE violence not much gets me by as "brutal"(only one scene from Kick-A**-the captured, public execution scene). Not unless it's EXTREMELY intense. The scene with the dog was sick, twisted, demented and just f*cked up, pardon my French. When he hit the girl with the, what I'm guessing was a, 5"x 6" piece of wood, you hear a loud "CRACK!" I felt like I was the one who did that! The most brutal scene, though, was, I'm sad to say, my favorite violent scene. I just love comeuppances-when d-bags get whats coming to them- and I was waiting a while but when Evan started beating that guy with the titanium bat, I just loved it! Every second. I know that sounds demented and sick, but-HEY! The little twerp had it coming! He burned the dude's f-ing dog! Sexual. Nudity. Explicit sex scenes. And don't forget the whole child molestation and pedophile thing! Twisted, vile, and just plain EVIL! Like was that REALLY necessary?!?! Negative Role Models. The little evil brother is abusive, foul-mouthed, short-tempered, and just a total jerk! But it is viewed as negative. More a romance than a thriller in retrospect. The alternate ending...SUCKS NUTCRACKERS!!!!! Good movie all-in-all. I know everybody makes it seem so bad. The worst is the violence. A bunch of brutal for me, so...REALLY BAD 4 U! The nudity I hate! I have a strong moral stance against nudity! But all-in-all: breathtaking and incredible feat in motion pictures. The strangest of all? This movie is based off a children's book.

No offense, but how could you not appreciate this movie? How can you so this movie is so bad its good? I can't believe it! This movie has stuck with me since it came out in theaters years ago. Brilliant storyline, brilliant acting (surprisingly), and AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ENDING!!! THE ENDING WAS AMAZING!!! I ALMOST CRIED!!! The movie was fast paced and wonderful. This movie is down right dark, with disturbing violence and sexual themes. I remember I was I think 12 or 13 when I saw it with a friend and my Mom, and we considered walking out after a kid burned a dog alive. But I'm glad we stayed, because the movie is better as a whole, and the ending completes it so perfectly. You can't go wrong here.

How can you say this isnt appropraite for kids?!! This is one of my favourite films in the whole wide world I watched it when I was thirteen and wasnt affected by it all. It's just such a good movie and depriving your child of seeing this would just be wrong. - appropriate for 13 and up :)