I've got a real love/hate relationship with this movie. I never before in my life watched it until a few months ago. The first time I watched it (original theater version)it didn't interest me enough to prevent me from taking phone calls, doing other things, surfing IMDb, etc.
Upon reading different readers reviews and the message boards on IMDb I decided that I wouldn't write my review until I had viewed the much acclaimed "directors cut." so now having watched both versions i'll post my review.
I must say I prefer the Goldsmith score, Tangerine Dream isn't horrible, just hokey in most spots and that song at the end is horrific. The only time I preferred the Dream score was during the mushy parts. Otherwise, Goldsmith's score was more appropriate for the action and fantasy parts of it.
I also prefer the director's cut..BUT there were certain parts of the theater version that were better than the directors cut. The opening of the theater version was better than the director's cut IMO. The entire scene spent with Darkness talking to his father is him in a chair with the creepy green eyes (theater) vs. unseen off-screen voice talking to a shot of the fireplace (director). (I can understand that perhaps Scott wanted to save his villain for a grand unveiling towards the end of the movie, but I still prefer the theatrical version.)
There are also extra scenes and extended scenes in the directors, that fill in the story to make in more coherent, interesting and "questy" feeling. This is why I prefer the director's cut, it managed to hold my attention this time.
There's plenty more than I wanted to see of Cruise squatting and crouching, and close ups of both Sara & Cruise with unibrows, but these are minor annoyances. The make up and effects are excellent (Goblins, elves, Darkness etc.) before movies started getting CGI'd to all hell.
Tim Curry is without a doubt the best thing about this movie. As "Darkness". He's decadently evil & seductive. (And unrecognizable underneath all the makeup & prosthetics.) The only thing recognizable is his voice (and even then you sometimes have to really listen to hear it.) He's not in the movie nearly enough.
I believe a IMDb poster recommended to "watch both versions and make your own cut." I'd have to generally agree. It's a decent movie, but does leave you wanting more. 6/10
Upon reading different readers reviews and the message boards on IMDb I decided that I wouldn't write my review until I had viewed the much acclaimed "directors cut." so now having watched both versions i'll post my review.
I must say I prefer the Goldsmith score, Tangerine Dream isn't horrible, just hokey in most spots and that song at the end is horrific. The only time I preferred the Dream score was during the mushy parts. Otherwise, Goldsmith's score was more appropriate for the action and fantasy parts of it.
I also prefer the director's cut..BUT there were certain parts of the theater version that were better than the directors cut. The opening of the theater version was better than the director's cut IMO. The entire scene spent with Darkness talking to his father is him in a chair with the creepy green eyes (theater) vs. unseen off-screen voice talking to a shot of the fireplace (director). (I can understand that perhaps Scott wanted to save his villain for a grand unveiling towards the end of the movie, but I still prefer the theatrical version.)
There are also extra scenes and extended scenes in the directors, that fill in the story to make in more coherent, interesting and "questy" feeling. This is why I prefer the director's cut, it managed to hold my attention this time.
There's plenty more than I wanted to see of Cruise squatting and crouching, and close ups of both Sara & Cruise with unibrows, but these are minor annoyances. The make up and effects are excellent (Goblins, elves, Darkness etc.) before movies started getting CGI'd to all hell.
Tim Curry is without a doubt the best thing about this movie. As "Darkness". He's decadently evil & seductive. (And unrecognizable underneath all the makeup & prosthetics.) The only thing recognizable is his voice (and even then you sometimes have to really listen to hear it.) He's not in the movie nearly enough.
I believe a IMDb poster recommended to "watch both versions and make your own cut." I'd have to generally agree. It's a decent movie, but does leave you wanting more. 6/10