They just keep on coming, here are the latest Extended DVD reviews from people who saw the extended cut during the Moviefone/AOL screenings… !!spoilers!! [More] Updated!
Day: November 7, 2002
Ringer Spy Tim reports on this event in London, including some interesting comments from author Brian Sibley. [More]
They just keep on coming, here are the latest Extended DVD reviews from people who saw the extended cut during the Moviefone/AOL screenings…
holbytla attended the dvd screening in Virginia, which I guess is not that special unless it takes you an eight hour drive to get there.. Anyway, her review can be found here: [More]
Next up is Charles who wrote a very nice summary of what he saw… [More]
Diane‘s also got to see the extended cut and here’s what she has to say about it: [More]
And next up is Jeff‘s review. I’m starting to think that there were more people at the Chicago-screening then there were at the other ones… [More]
A very short review came in from Timothy, but then again; if you read all the reviews before this one you can probably dream what’s in the film anyway. [More]
And then there was Elf who accidently sent her review to the GreenBooks staff (thanks Quickbeam), and we nearly had to miss out on her very good review! [More]
And last but not least there’s the review from Brian over at LightsOutEntertainment which is a great read as well! You can check that one out here: [More]
And that’s that! Have fun reading!
Update:
Thom’s expectations were far surpassed. [More]
It was a pleasant day(not huge,but thrilling!)….and I’m happy to say is covered here already….
So I don’t have to! Small things then…. Brian and Jane were both models of courtesy,just superb. Andy seemed oddly shy for such a significant actor,very charming. I met three Americans,one lady who came in a lovely dress(you know who you are,ma’am!) and a chap who had crossed the pond just for this! B and J and A were all very pro with the children,they thankfully assumed the kids had brains and could keep up,,which you sadly don’t always see….
The later talk was fascinating,particularly Andy’s articulation regarding Gollum’s psychological makeup,and Brian’s revelation that certain things PJ had done,he would’nt have(he said he would have done something “more interesting” with Arwen)….and some things PJ did,he would have nicked!
I had a lot of questions,but time was short,so I kept it to,not a question,but a public thankyou to Brian(and Jane) for defending and praising LOTR in the press,often against those (Philip Pullman springs to mind) who blatantly have their facts wrong….
When I actually got to the signing,I hadn;t been able to afford the books….so I’d bought a printed picture of Eowyn(my current favourite) for them to sign.
Jane graciously signed,with a note to say she always empathised with Eowyn(I can’t remeber it exactly,so i don’t want to misquote her)…she felt proud of standing up for LOTR….
Now. I won’t go into detail,suffice to say Brian Sibley’s LOTR is part of my psyche.In my house,it,Hitchhiker’s Guide,Elgar and The Goon Show were played in rotation,and I could’nt have asked for better influences. His LOTR is certainly one of the reasons why some parts of PJ’s LOTR bother me,because they have less grace….put short,everything about BS’s LOTR is important to me….
So you can imagine how lovely it was last year at the Borders signing for the FOTR books,to meet him and say thankyou….
Now,this may sound horribly fanboyish,but as I say,his LOTR is very much loved by my little self….
He remembered me.Brian Sibley remembered me from a year ago,when I was just another scrotty herbert in a queue!!!!! He was very warm and friendly and so on and so forth(ahem!) Both he and Jane were a joy to meet,an absolute joy.
Lovely day. Oh,and again,the American lady with the robe/dress in central London(ie Hell)…..much respect!!! Tim
I hope it is not too late to get this review in. I was one of the fortunate few who were able to view the FOTR Extended Edition at the theater in Dallas last night. It was incredible and that does not do it justice. The difference in sound was the first thing that brought awareness that this was something never seen or heard before. I must have seen the original movie in theaters eight times or more and have watched it at home at least that many, but this was spectacular! The combined effect of the surround sound with the enhanced sound nearly lifted me out of my seat. When the musical themes swelled, the whole theater felt it–literally and emotionally. It does justice to Howard Shore’s score.
The only word that comes close is “seamless.” The introduction of new music and scenes and dialogue was all perfectly seamless. Even when you know where it is different, it is so well done it feels right–like the difference between the movie and the book. It was so true to the spirit of the original that the changes did not detract. The fact that Howard Shore wrote new music to accomplish this is part of the secret. The music with which you are familiar flows into the new and carries the other components with it.
Since the first few scenes were unchanged, one had time to adjust to the sound difference before being treated to the additional screen material. Every bit of added scene only complimented the original. I dearly love the way the original handled the opening and agree it was perfect for a time-limited version. This time the worlds and characters were given more depth–some of which I wish had made it to the theater cut. The viewer is given a much greater understanding of who the hobbits are and what the values are that makes Frodo who he is. The light-hearted nature of the hobbits has more time to emerge as you watch Merry and Pippin.
Likewise, the conflict in Aragorn is conveyed MUCH better. You–and especially the viewer not so acquainted with the books–now understand how deep the struggle goes in him regarding his heritage and a little more concerning his relationship to Arwen. As one reviewer put it, you see the high regard the elves have for him. And you feel the weight of the destiny he has to choose to accept or reject. The struggle in Boromir also is given new dimension.
The relationship between Legolas and Gimli begins to show glimmers of humor and depth of feeling. Both characters are strengthened by the exposure. This satisfies a little the wishes of all who wanted to see more interplay like the books portrayed. The humor introduced in all the characters such as Gandalf’s impatience with Pippin, Pippin’s over-indulgence with food, and Aragorn’s addition to the sword-training scene make them warm and authentic. They emerge as real people with feelings with which one identifies.
The scene that benefitted the most from the additional material was Lothlorien. The added exterior and interior views of the land as well as the depth given to Haldir and company was very helpful and enjoyable. The gift-giving scenes make sense out of things they will have to explain somehow in the movies to come. Gimli’s affection for Galadriel has a much greater basis for its existence now. The gravity of the situation and the respect the elves have for the Company are emphasized as the elves reveal they have never before clothed outsiders in their cloaks.
My suggestion to New Line would be to show this Extended Version in theaters in limited scope–many theaters but only limited screens–just before the premiere of The Two Towers. The fans who wanted a refresher, those poor souls who never got around to seeing the first one, and all of those of us who want to see the Extended version in all its glory would come. I know I would go again, and I have ordered the Extended DVD Collector’s Gift Set! It deserves to be seen in the theater. Nothing else will quite do it justice. It would be quite a money-maker and would only strengthen the fan base for TTT. One runs out of superlatives when talking about this movie, but they really are all that apply!
–Elf Collins
This is my first time writng in, but the Extended Version was so spectacular it requires it. I went expecting a bit of a line and other fans ‘dressed’ for the occasion. Alas, I was the only one in partial dress. But, everyone else was able to identify the right line easily enough. 😀
I have found previously in other movies that added scenes and extended movies normally don’t justify the expense of buying it again. Nothing story-intensive is usually there, just some side tidbits. This Extended DVD IS the exception. The start of the movie is most different, the trip between Hobbiton and Rivendell really pulls alot of loose ends together and sets up for on-coming scenes, Rivendell and Lochlorien have been expanded with most-important scenes and revelations. Especially between Grimli and Galadriel. This was a part that should never have been cut out of the original theatre release.
And the digital format and theatre projection was breathtaking. The difference was like having seen it orignally on a badly received TV signal through rabbit-earred antennas. The clarity, sharpness and color presentation were just – breathtaking. Immediately noticed when the green General Audiences Previews screen came up. And the TTT trailer preview – Webster’s hasn’t created the words to do it justice in writing.
Others have already gone into details. This is just my spin on it.