Post by Wastedyuthe on Feb 23, 2007 14:12:51 GMT 1
I love this movie- reportedly Jet's final wushu film. I initially bought the UK cut of the film for £6 from play.com, and thought it was very good, and very fast-paced. Then due to my interest in films with different cuts, I ordered the Directors Cut from yesasia.com for something like £12 with postage. There are significant differences with the two versions- especially as the DC has an extra 20 something minutes. Now for my tastes, the DC wins hands down, but there are certain people on the imdb who prefer the TC as it is faster paced. Here are the advantages/disadvantages between the two:
Theatrical Cut advantages:
1. Shorter. This means it is faster paced, meaning less time between the excellent action scenes.
2. Better opening. The climax (as we can tell from the begining of the TC, so I am not spoiling anything) consists of several contest fights with Jet Li and various martial artists from around the world. Three of the four fights are shown at the begining of the TC, giving it a strong opening.
Theatrical Cut disadvantages:
1. It's shorter. Sometimes you get the feeling there could have been more to some of the characters, and you do feel like the film is trying to rush you through to the next fight. The second half is slower paced on both versions though, but less so in the TC.
2. The climax is not as good as it could have been. With the first three fights at the begining of the film, we now end up with a weaker climax. Of course, when you watch the film, you take it as read that he surely must have won the first three fights anyway, but still, we all love a good climax to a film don't we. It is still good even with just the one bout though.
Directors Cut advantages:
1. The first three fights of the climax are now actually at the climax, right where they should be. I always wanted this when I saw the TC, and now the climax is perfect.
2. The characters are more fleshed out. We find out a little more about the main characters relationship with his friend when they were little, and most importantly, we find out more as to how Jet's character changes his opinion on martial arts in the second half of the film. There are some pivotal scenes here, that really should have been in the TC, including an extra fight with a neighbouring tribesman, where Jet's character learns restraint.
3. It feels more like a martial arts epic. Due to the longer running time, we get a greater sense of scope with this film, and due to a fuller depth of character and more time to take in the characters and atmoshpere, we get more of a sense that this isn't just your every-day martial arts film- rather an epic masterpiece.
Directors Cut disadvantages:
1. There are two extra scenes that really aren't needed. The film now begins in present day Hong Kong, with Michelle Yeoh at some kind of sports conference, teaching the press all about wushu and what it stands for. We then go back in time to when the real story begins. The other scene with her is in the middle of the end credits, when the conference is over. I suppose they are in there to show that Huo Yuan Jia's beliefs are still present in todays martial artists, and that his legend still lives on (the film is based on a true story after all). Because we don't start off with any action in the DC, it can also be classed as a weaker opening, although I'd rather have a weaker opening than a weaker climax anyday.
2. The film might now be too slow paced for some expecting your typical martial arts film. There is plenty of action in it (even more so with the extra fight), but there is more drama between the fights now.
So there you go. If anyone has seen either version, I would welcome any comments. Or indeed if anyone has any questions regarding either version, you are welcome to ask.
Theatrical Cut advantages:
1. Shorter. This means it is faster paced, meaning less time between the excellent action scenes.
2. Better opening. The climax (as we can tell from the begining of the TC, so I am not spoiling anything) consists of several contest fights with Jet Li and various martial artists from around the world. Three of the four fights are shown at the begining of the TC, giving it a strong opening.
Theatrical Cut disadvantages:
1. It's shorter. Sometimes you get the feeling there could have been more to some of the characters, and you do feel like the film is trying to rush you through to the next fight. The second half is slower paced on both versions though, but less so in the TC.
2. The climax is not as good as it could have been. With the first three fights at the begining of the film, we now end up with a weaker climax. Of course, when you watch the film, you take it as read that he surely must have won the first three fights anyway, but still, we all love a good climax to a film don't we. It is still good even with just the one bout though.
Directors Cut advantages:
1. The first three fights of the climax are now actually at the climax, right where they should be. I always wanted this when I saw the TC, and now the climax is perfect.
2. The characters are more fleshed out. We find out a little more about the main characters relationship with his friend when they were little, and most importantly, we find out more as to how Jet's character changes his opinion on martial arts in the second half of the film. There are some pivotal scenes here, that really should have been in the TC, including an extra fight with a neighbouring tribesman, where Jet's character learns restraint.
3. It feels more like a martial arts epic. Due to the longer running time, we get a greater sense of scope with this film, and due to a fuller depth of character and more time to take in the characters and atmoshpere, we get more of a sense that this isn't just your every-day martial arts film- rather an epic masterpiece.
Directors Cut disadvantages:
1. There are two extra scenes that really aren't needed. The film now begins in present day Hong Kong, with Michelle Yeoh at some kind of sports conference, teaching the press all about wushu and what it stands for. We then go back in time to when the real story begins. The other scene with her is in the middle of the end credits, when the conference is over. I suppose they are in there to show that Huo Yuan Jia's beliefs are still present in todays martial artists, and that his legend still lives on (the film is based on a true story after all). Because we don't start off with any action in the DC, it can also be classed as a weaker opening, although I'd rather have a weaker opening than a weaker climax anyday.
2. The film might now be too slow paced for some expecting your typical martial arts film. There is plenty of action in it (even more so with the extra fight), but there is more drama between the fights now.
So there you go. If anyone has seen either version, I would welcome any comments. Or indeed if anyone has any questions regarding either version, you are welcome to ask.
