The Butterfly Effect

In "The Butterfly Effect" this idea is explored, and how it is explored--through writing--is a merited one.

Therein is a problem: Instead of just letting this idea propel the narrative the movie-goer is wacked over the head, and about the eyes and ears, with it.

An example, now: There are several characters in the movie: Ashton Kutcher, as Evan, a college psychology major; Amy Smart and William Lee Scott as Kayleigh and Tommy, a brother and sister, whose father is a sexual pervert; and Elden Henson as Lenny, their friend. The story of "The Butterfly Effect" opens in their collective childhood, with little Evan as a curious child. (Nowadays he would no doubt be categorized as 'weird', with strong aspects of ADD.) He draws, making drawings in kindergarten that would get most children of that age heavily medicated and bagged. He experiences blackouts, throws things, and concerns his mother (Melora Walters).

A head doctor suggests Evan keep a daily journal. Which is a fine thing, because it gives form to his existence, and lays the foundation for events forthcoming.

And it may go to explain why Evan became the person he is: Mr. Miller, father to Kayleigh and Tommy, is a pedophile, who forces all of them to appear in child porn flicks for his consumption and satisfaction. These are experiences Evan blocks out, but one day, years later, he is rereading one of his journals and is taken into the past by way of a mental time machine, to experience what he wanted so much to forget

A great premise, a great promise, this particular time machine. But the directors of "The Butterfly Effect", Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber, cannot simply let this happen, and because they can't, ruin an otherwise sure thing, cinematically-speaking.

But I digress. Once Evan realizes what it is he can do he decides he has to keep a promise he made Kayleigh: I'll be back for you. So back in time he goes, changes things for the better--or so he thinks--and returns to a present that is far different from the one he first left.

Why? The Butterfly Effect.

Now I would be ready and willing to accept all of this as interesting, as innovative and creative, when it comes to the matter of time travel within a fictional construct, but for one or two things:

Why is it when films and movies about time travel are made there is always

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