Butterfly Effect, The: Infinifilm Edition DVD Review

The anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer looks extremely good, as you would expect for such a recent movie. The print is clean from dirt and scratches and for the most part it looks sharp and detailed. Indeed looking at facial close ups provides us with copious amounts of details such as pore lines and wrinkles with natural flesh tones adding a realistic look. Colours are rich and vivid with good saturation and no signs of bloom or bleed. Edge enhancement is seen in brighter sections of the film, but it is far from obtrusive. There are also no signs of digital compression or artefacts, probably due to the fact each version of the movie is on separate sides of the disc. In fact comparing the theatrical cut to the director's version fails to show any difference in the quality of the print. The R1 is also identical in quality terms to the R2 disc, which surprisingly drops the theatrical version of the film.

The theatrical cut of the movie is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 EX with the director's cut adding a DTS-ES (768kbps) soundtrack.

The sound mix is surprisingly aggressive for a thriller, with most of the action taking place during the time travel sequences. Here the surrounds become busy with effects spinning 360 degrees around the sound field and the LFE adds some frightening bottom end to proceedings. Dialogue remains rich and intelligible throughout and the score uses the full soundstage with excellent dynamics on offer.

Comparing the DTS track against the Dolby flavour falls in favour of the DTS track for it's wider and spacious sound mix and tighter bottom end. This however doesn't mean that the Dolby track is lacking in anyway and if you are buying the R2 disc you will only have this track to choose from.

Being an Infinifilm title you would expect some interesting extras, and to a certain extent that's what we get. Kicking things off is a feature length commentary track with co-directors and screenwriters Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber who explore their baby in some detail. The commentary covers the humble beginnings of their idea through to the casting and shooting of the movie. They also add a certain degree of humour and background information which makes the track an interesting listen.

Moving on and we get a very good behind the scenes documentary which adds all the small videos together (from the Infinifilm feature) to cover the movie making process without too many back slapping each other. Also featured are a visual effects featurette, an explanation of chaos theory and a look at time travel movies and stories. Rounding off the package are deleted scenes including alternate endings and trailers
A surprisingly good movie with excellent performances and an unusual plot line. The disc is first class with some excellent extras. This R1 edition beats the R2 disc hands down, the UK disc misses the DTS track and the theatrical cut of the film so it has to be this R1, and it's a keeper.