Doug: Back in October we ran a post requesting ideas from our readers. We promised to run all of those suggestions at some point. While we've covered many of them, it's been a while since some of those thoughts graced our blog. Here's another one:
The Prowler: "Upon Further Review" -- I know we often discuss movies when they first come out, but what about when they're released on DVD? Sometimes, subsequent viewings shed a different light on our opinions. Also, when there're different versions/updates of older movies... I don't like the final version of "Aliens". I think the added scenes actually distract from the theater version. The Bat-Man DVD collection is another topic for conversation.
9 comments:
I don't know how many different cuts I've seen of Bladerunner, but - give or take the odd few seconds with a unicorn - there doesn't seem to be much difference between them.
The only "director's cut" or whatever I can think of offhand that really improved a film is Oliver Stone's Alexander. Disappointing on release at the cinema, but the drastically extended and restructured dvd (2007 double disc) version is great.
Ignore the reviews - its well worth watching.
-sean
I personally almost always prefer the extended or director's cut versions of movies. I guess I am a more is better kind of guy. The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy comes to mind. I prefer the deluxe editions to the originals.
Another good example of a movie getting better with some deleted scenes put back in is the very first Superman movie. One of the best scenes in the entire film was (for some inexplicable reason) cut from the original theatrical release. That is the scene right after Superman drills through the street on his way to Lex Luthor's underground hideout. As he enters the sewer he is assaulted by a variety of death-traps like a machine gun turret, a flame thrower, and a freeze ray. It's one of the best action scenes in the movie, and clearly demonstrates The Man of Steel's incredible powers. And adds some nice comic-book atmosphere. But, that scene never made it into the original cut. However it has been included in every subsequent release since. Including the first time it was shown on network television. (There are a few other added scenes that are pretty good as well).
I also think that the Director's Cut of Daredevil is better than the theatrical release. I haven't watched it in quite a while, but I remember it added some scenes (and took some out), and made for a better overall film. Still not the DD movie I would have liked to have seen though. (And neither is the Netflix series).
And what about the extended fight scene between Doc Ock and Spidey in Spider-Man 2. That was pretty awesome. Dear movie directors, as a general rule when you make a superhero movie, more kick-a$$ action is almost never a bad thing. If you're going to cut anything short, cut some of the scenes of Peter and Aunt May endlessly blathering on about nothing.
Ooh-- don't know if I'm on-board with your last comment, there, William. "Action Sequence Fatigue" (don't know if that's a real phrase-- I just pulled it out of the air) can be a HUGE problem for me in super-hero/action movies. And unless those sequences are well supported by the human circumstances behind them, then, bleah, it's hard to care, y'know? It's also a little like having all the songs on the stereo turned up to 11-- you just start to shut it out and become less involved. . .
(Welllll, and I do always enjoy a heartfelt Pete/Aunt May scene, I must confess. . . !)
ALIENS is the perfect call for this topic. As a story the deleted scenes add a bit of depth and substance and background, but as a MOVIE they detract mightily from the suspense and reveal. And some of the later ones are just treading-of-narrative-water, as it were.
Say, have any of the Marvel films had Director's Cut versions released? I seem to recall reading that the first Avengers movie had a lot of good stuff trimmed away to make it more show-time friendly. . .
HB
HB, I'm not saying any movie should be wall-to-wall action porn, but more of Spidey fighting Doc Ock on that train was not a bad thing. On the other hand, in Spider-Man 3 when Aunt May goes on endlessly about how Ben proposed to her, it really brought that flick to a screeching halt. (For me anyway).
And Superman versus a freeze ray? This should never be cut out of any movie.
Then we have a movie like "The Dark Knight Rises". A 2 hour plus "Batman" movie that featured about 20 minutes of Batman. Or "Iron Man 3". A movie that could have been titled "Tony Stark: Garage Mechanic".
*Whew* Glad you chimed back in, William-- I was thinking, "HB, have you killed this thread completely with your overly-verbose opinionating??"
And, looking at your specific examples, I would almost certainly agree on Superman (as one of that film's flaws was a lack of really Supes-challenging action sequences, I think. Certainly ones that pitted him more or less directly against someone else--).
Train fight? I'd love to see that director's cut-- the timing and length of it seemed so great to me already. I do wonder why they would trim it down from a longer one? Surely it wouldn't be arbitrary.
Although it stretches into another genre, a PERFECT example of your last point is that latest GODZILLA reboot. HBSon has a fondness for the big G from early, early childhood-- and was frankly not impressed with the absurdly measly 8 minutes of actual screentime he got in his own movie. Sheesh--
HB (come on teammates-- don't let me be a thread-killer, here! And-- any rumors of Director's Cut Marvel films out there yet? I'm dyin' of curiousity--)
Ok, HB- I'll jump in here. First: seconding William's mention of "Lord of the Rings". And to be honest, I generally am fine with extended length films, if it means you get those additional scenes. I see concerns over whether a film is 'too long' as similar to the music industry in the 60's frowning on a 3 minute song as being incapable of holding the listener's attention. Let a song, or a film, or book, be as long as it needs to be.
On a close tangent to this topic, I always appreciate the 'deleted scenes' found on many dvd's. Often find myself wishing they had been left in from the start...
Since HB mentioned Marvel films, has anybody seen the short films that were added to some DVD releases? I have not, but I heard about one on Avengers that followed some crooks who found some Alien tech from the Avengers movie. And from Iron Man 3 there was a short about the fake Mandarin in jail and connections to Hydra etc. Not exactly deleted scenes, and not a director's cut but still in the Marvel cinema canon. Anybody have any input on those?
This is Spinal Tap: the DVD edition I have includes an extra disc with all kinds of extras, like various trailers, music videos, some interviews with cast and crew, and a separate feature with all of sequences not included in the actual theatrical/video release - it is in fact as long as the film itself. And while there is quite a bit of funny stuff in there (esp. the scene in which they get the chauffeur played by Bruno Kirby stoned in their hotel room and he ends up singing an Sinatra tune in his underwear), it makes me appreciate just how well-edited the actual movie is. I think it's just so perfect the way it was originally presented.
HB, I do definitely agree that there needs to be a nice balance of action and story. Without a story, the action has no impact. A perfect example of this is the recent "Man Of Steel" movie. A tour de force of over the top CGI action sequences with no compelling reason to care about any of the main characters. I fear the upcoming "Batman vs. Superman" will suffer the same fate.
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