New footage ("Directors Cut")? Good or bad?

Yojimbo · 07-07-2003, 10:54 PM

So what do you think about the special editions of movies that add extra footage? Does it enhance the movie? Or is it more obvious when watching it why they cut that footage out? I watched most of Apocalpyse Now Redux and while it was still a powerful movie, the extra scenes just made the movie more pretentious and sluggish than it already was. I also watched part of the director's cut of Amadeus and the extra scenes didn't really flesh things out (in fact, the extra flesh earned the director's cut an unjustified R-rating). I saw the director's cut of Aliens awhile ago...the extra scenes with Ripley were interesting. But a lot of the footage dealt with these automatic machine guns they set up to kill the Aliens, and that was just unneccessary. I would comment on Fellowship of the Ring, but I fell asleep halfway through--I'm sure the extra footage was good for avid fans of the book, though.

And I have yet to see a deleted scene (the ones included as extra features on DVDs) that would've made the movie better if included.

benj · 07-07-2003, 11:02 PM

I tend to like the extra footage if I am buying a special addition. Uusually I am a big enough fan to want to see it.

God's Jedi · 07-08-2003, 12:13 AM

I love the Star Wars Special editions. I think the enhancements they did helped a lot. But, as like many fans, I must say that GREEDO SHOULDN'T HAVE SHOT FIRST!!!

I also enjoyed the FotR extended version. I thought the story was greatly enhanced. I hope the same will be true with the extended version of The Two Towers (available in November).

But many deleted scenes (such as the ones in Signs) add absolutely nothing to he movie. While I do like many of them, the removals of many are completelt justified.

***Art*** · 07-08-2003, 03:10 AM

I like the option to view them separately in most movies... because they usually are interesting, but don't add much. The exception that I've seen in Fellowship of the Ring. That stuff that was cut was a very good part of the movie, and should have stayed... but couldn't because of time. Nobody wants to sit in a movie theather for THAT long. I would, but most people don't want to. They flow well enough that you don't even notice.

Awesome Guy · 07-08-2003, 06:25 AM

I am indifferent on the whole "directors cut"/ deleted scene issue

I have seen movies where it adds to, and movies where it takes away from the whole story.

I enjoyed the Extended Fellowship of the ring, but I think they should have puit it all on one DVD, instead of the Commentaries, and half of the movie on one , and the rest of the movie on the second. I spose it helps one stay awake having to get up in the middle.

I also got the Special Edition Die Hard Trilogy. I have only had time to watch Die Hard 1 so far, and I thought its deleted scene with the cutting of the power to Nakatomi plaza added to it.

As for the Star Wars special editions, I agree that Greedo shouldn't have shotten first cuz if he was a bounty hunter, and Solo was wanted Dead or Alive, why would he miss?

I have also seen deleted scenes that for obvious reasons didn't fit, and were cut.

I guess if they add to the movie, and make it better, I am all for it, but if they take away or even screwup the story, then its best to not even include them.

~ Dallas

Yojimbo · 07-08-2003, 08:35 AM

I thought the Empire Strikes Back Special edition was the best of the revised originals...just because very little was added to it. That, and because I think ESB is the best SW period...

I would probably have a different perspective if I watched the special editions first and then the cut versions...then maybe the extra footage would feel more "organic" to the piece rather than tacked on.

**Sean** · 07-08-2003, 11:12 AM

By freak chance I agree with Goodness about Empire Strikes Back. That was definatly my favorite of the special editions. However, I"m very glad they made all the special editions. I love the option of seeing deleted scenes in movies. I'm a huge fan of getting to see deleted scenes. Its not about whether the movies is better or not, its about seeing what could have been. I really like the director's cut of Terminator 2. I'm not saying its a better version, but I enjoy that version in its own way. It gave all sorts of different insights into the characters and different things. It was just interesting. Most special editions aren't that good though, but I still love them

PKfanSteph · 07-08-2003, 02:18 PM

I really enjoy the deleted scenes, but I think I prefer them as extras and not placed back into the movie. There was a reason they were removed, even if only for the time issue. An option to watch both "versions" would be nice.

Though I don't have a ton of DVDs, one of my favorites is Shrek. I loved seing the alternate storyboarded scenes, original charactor designs, messed up animation and so forth. My TV and "sound system" (or poor excuse for one) aren't good enough to justify buying a new DVD over VHS just for the quality's sake so the extra features are really the only reason for me to buy one over the other.

God's Jedi · 07-08-2003, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art

I like the option to view them separately in most movies... because they usually are interesting, but don't add much. The exception that I've seen in Fellowship of the Ring. That stuff that was cut was a very good part of the movie, and should have stayed... but couldn't because of time. Nobody wants to sit in a movie theather for THAT long. I would, but most people don't want to. They flow well enough that you don't even notice.

If I can sit through God's and Generals, I wouldn't mind sitting through a long LotR movie. Or a long Star Wars movie, for that matter. Ya Hear that George? I WANT A THREE HOUR EPISODE 3!!!!

barefooter · 07-08-2003, 10:37 PM

It depends on the movie; I prefer the option of seeing them seperately instead of in the film, though.

tropicana · 07-10-2003, 12:23 PM

My family doesn't have cable, so we rent movies. We've rented almost every decent movie in this whole town. We just got a DVD player so that we can watch the extended versions of movies we've already seen

MJ_Avalanche · 07-10-2003, 07:28 PM

MJ likes added footage, and deleted scenes. Look cool they do.