The recent post about the Dune Extended Cut really got me thinking about alternate cuts of movies and which ones people consider essentials. I haven't seen the extended cut of Dune because I disliked the theatrical version so much, I didn't think it would be worth submitting myself to that again. But if it really does make the film substantially better, I might do it. I have a number of movies on Vudu that I have added twice. With some, the extended version wasn't available when I got it the first time. With others, the two versions are different enough that I like to have both. Honestly, though, I find that the "unrated" versions of a lot of films...especially comedies...rarely change much, and usually don't improve the film. What extended or alternate cuts are on your "essential lists" and what would you like to see added to Vudu?
My list would be:
Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut is the only version that should exist. In fact, it's the only movie on this list that I have flat out refused to add to my UV collection until the superior version is available. I've noticed that the artwork was recently changed to reflect "Theatrical Version" so hopefully that means that the Director's Cut will be available at some point.
Leon: The Professional - The International Cut just fleshes out the story so much better. It is one of my favorite films, so I did D2D it, but I really want the "full version" to become available.
Almost Famous: Bootleg Edition - I don't know that I would call this version "essential" since the theatrical cut is such a great film, but it does add more to the movie. It's a great example of more of a great thing.
The Blues Brothers Unrated edition - Like Almost Famous, this is a case of "more of a good thing" of a film that I outright love. I will say that I don't think that it necessarily improves the film. It kind of messes up the pacing at parts and makes it drag a bit. I own both versions, but unless you really love the movie like I do, I would say that the theatrical version is good enough.
Hellboy - the extended edition of the first Hellboy film isn't really "essential" either, but it does add some nice extra touches. I would definitely add it if it was available.
Payback: Straight Up Cut - This one is almost the opposite of Almost Famous. Instead of enhancing the feeling of the film, it changes it pretty substantially. This is a much darker and less funny version of the story. I actually prefer the theatrical cut, but it is a great study in how editing can totally change the feel of a film. I would love to get the original version on Vudu.
Daredevil - I'm not going to say the Director's Cut is "essential" because, frankly, it's still not a good film, but like Payback, it does change the tone substantially. Unlike Payback, the darker tone is actually an improvement. Again, this is an interesting study in the power of editing and worth a look if you haven't seen it.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut - this one is really strictly for the film nerds. They attempted to take out all of Richard Lester's changes and restore the film to what it might have been if Donner had been allowed to finish it. They actually use screen test footage at some points and recycle the ending of the first movie, so it is not at all a "complete" film, but it does add some interesting insights. I think it's worth watching for the additional Marlon Brando Jor-El footage, if nothing else.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut - This is my preferred version. I know there are like 5 different cuts out there, but this one seems to have the best of all of them. It alters the story a bit from the original, but I think it's an improvement.
The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions - How do you improve a highly regarded trilogy of films where the biggest complaint is that they are too long? Make 'em longer! I know that it is counter-intuitive, but particularly with The Fellowship of the Ring, the Extended Editions do improve the pacing of these films. Personally, I only own the Extended Versions on Vudu because if I'm going to make the commitment to these movies, I might as well go all in. I actually think the extended versions of the Hobbit films are improvements as well, but the positives are not nearly as rewarding and the movies are not nearly as good.
Aliens: Special Edition - Another of my preferred versions. The special edition doesn't substantially change the movie, but it does add little details that make the story fuller; particularly the inclusion of the information that Ripley has a daughter. It changes the dynamic between her an Newt in a good way. I don't know that I would add any of the other alternate cuts of the Aliens franchise to this list. Alien 3 would be closest, but I don't really think it changes it that much. I probably do need to give that one another watch, though.
The Abyss: Special Edition - This version just makes the alien's action make more sense. When the whole climax of the movie relies on that, I think it's a big improvement. I would love to get a correctly formatted HDX version on Vudu (hint, hint)
Dances With Wolves - the Director's Cut really adds a lot and I would like to have it in my collection. It's been a long time since I've watched this movie at all, so it's hard to really comment in detail.
Some other Director's Cuts or Unrated Cuts that I can't really speak to how much of an improvement they offer are Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Amadeus, American Gangster, Zodiac, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Team America, Argo, The Town, Troy, True Romance, Brazil & Terminator 2. What do you guys say? Did I miss some? I'm sure I did. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts.
My list would be:
Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut is the only version that should exist. In fact, it's the only movie on this list that I have flat out refused to add to my UV collection until the superior version is available. I've noticed that the artwork was recently changed to reflect "Theatrical Version" so hopefully that means that the Director's Cut will be available at some point.
Leon: The Professional - The International Cut just fleshes out the story so much better. It is one of my favorite films, so I did D2D it, but I really want the "full version" to become available.
Almost Famous: Bootleg Edition - I don't know that I would call this version "essential" since the theatrical cut is such a great film, but it does add more to the movie. It's a great example of more of a great thing.
The Blues Brothers Unrated edition - Like Almost Famous, this is a case of "more of a good thing" of a film that I outright love. I will say that I don't think that it necessarily improves the film. It kind of messes up the pacing at parts and makes it drag a bit. I own both versions, but unless you really love the movie like I do, I would say that the theatrical version is good enough.
Hellboy - the extended edition of the first Hellboy film isn't really "essential" either, but it does add some nice extra touches. I would definitely add it if it was available.
Payback: Straight Up Cut - This one is almost the opposite of Almost Famous. Instead of enhancing the feeling of the film, it changes it pretty substantially. This is a much darker and less funny version of the story. I actually prefer the theatrical cut, but it is a great study in how editing can totally change the feel of a film. I would love to get the original version on Vudu.
Daredevil - I'm not going to say the Director's Cut is "essential" because, frankly, it's still not a good film, but like Payback, it does change the tone substantially. Unlike Payback, the darker tone is actually an improvement. Again, this is an interesting study in the power of editing and worth a look if you haven't seen it.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut - this one is really strictly for the film nerds. They attempted to take out all of Richard Lester's changes and restore the film to what it might have been if Donner had been allowed to finish it. They actually use screen test footage at some points and recycle the ending of the first movie, so it is not at all a "complete" film, but it does add some interesting insights. I think it's worth watching for the additional Marlon Brando Jor-El footage, if nothing else.
Blade Runner: The Final Cut - This is my preferred version. I know there are like 5 different cuts out there, but this one seems to have the best of all of them. It alters the story a bit from the original, but I think it's an improvement.
The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions - How do you improve a highly regarded trilogy of films where the biggest complaint is that they are too long? Make 'em longer! I know that it is counter-intuitive, but particularly with The Fellowship of the Ring, the Extended Editions do improve the pacing of these films. Personally, I only own the Extended Versions on Vudu because if I'm going to make the commitment to these movies, I might as well go all in. I actually think the extended versions of the Hobbit films are improvements as well, but the positives are not nearly as rewarding and the movies are not nearly as good.
Aliens: Special Edition - Another of my preferred versions. The special edition doesn't substantially change the movie, but it does add little details that make the story fuller; particularly the inclusion of the information that Ripley has a daughter. It changes the dynamic between her an Newt in a good way. I don't know that I would add any of the other alternate cuts of the Aliens franchise to this list. Alien 3 would be closest, but I don't really think it changes it that much. I probably do need to give that one another watch, though.
The Abyss: Special Edition - This version just makes the alien's action make more sense. When the whole climax of the movie relies on that, I think it's a big improvement. I would love to get a correctly formatted HDX version on Vudu (hint, hint)
Dances With Wolves - the Director's Cut really adds a lot and I would like to have it in my collection. It's been a long time since I've watched this movie at all, so it's hard to really comment in detail.
Some other Director's Cuts or Unrated Cuts that I can't really speak to how much of an improvement they offer are Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Amadeus, American Gangster, Zodiac, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Team America, Argo, The Town, Troy, True Romance, Brazil & Terminator 2. What do you guys say? Did I miss some? I'm sure I did. I'd love to hear other people's thoughts.
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