Movies that would be better if they were shorter

[Bolty]

I finally realized what movie I really like that I would like shorter.........

Never liked the 'convoy scenes' in 1978 Superman---terrible comedy relief at a point in the movie where it didn't need it. Just have them say Luthor has gained control of the missiles after they launched by some high tech method.

....cut 7 minutes out of a 143 minute movie or leave room for some other more interesting material.

[Kevinicus]

Considering one of my hobbies is fanediting, I definitely think lots of movies would be better if they were shorter. I'll start with the ones I've worked on in the past, which all ended up at least 19 minutes shorter than the theatrical versions (and I think all could have been even shorter if written better).

Transformers
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Avatar
The Karate Kid (2010)
The Matrix Sequels

[Kevinicus]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Did the Karate Kid remake really need to be 140 minutes long?! It seemed like every other scene took place in another location for no other reason than as a "Tour Beautiful China!" reel.

I think I cut out about 30 minutes from that movie, most of which involved the girl from school and the kid's mom. Out of everything I've worked on, it by far had the biggest chunks that were cut out, where I often would remove entire scenes as opposed to a line here or there. I regret not finding a way to remove the stupid ping pong scene at the beginning.

[Infernal King]

The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions would have been amazing if they were edited together as one 2 and a half hour movie with the filler removed and a strong focus on streamlining the story.

[Bolty]

Originally Posted by Gate

The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions would have been amazing if they were edited together as one 2 and a half hour movie with the filler removed and a strong focus on streamlining the story.

Didn't an actress die and get replaced between 2 and 3?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Bolty

Didn't an actress die and get replaced between 2 and 3?

Gloria Foster, who played the Oracle in 1 & 2, was replaced due to her unfortunate passing. I always thought she gave the best performance out of anyone in the trilogy (with Hugo Weaving coming in at a close second), making even the crap dialogue they gave her in Reloaded sound profound. Mary Alice, the replacement actress, was adequate but nothing special. I think Revolutions would have been stronger if there was continuity in the part of the Oracle (who played a key role in that film) but it's not like the Wachowskis had much of a choice in that aspect of the production.

[jamesdevil]

Originally Posted by Dumbhuman

Actually these all sound a lot like in between opinions to me. Acknowledging that a film contains lots of greatness and bemoaning a different aspect of it based on personal tastes doesn't strike me as a hit or miss mentality.

This for me. Malick has been entirely 'hit' outside of that one film.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Gate

Gloria Foster, who played the Oracle in 1 & 2, was replaced due to her unfortunate passing. I always thought she gave the best performance out of anyone in the trilogy (with Hugo Weaving coming in at a close second), making even the crap dialogue they gave her in Reloaded sound profound. Mary Alice, the replacement actress, was adequate but nothing special. I think Revolutions would have been stronger if there was continuity in the part of the Oracle (who played a key role in that film) but it's not like the Wachowskis had much of a choice in that aspect of the production.

There is a slight continuity provided with the live-action footage filmed for the Enter the Matrix video game (which should appear as a special feature on one of these Blu-Ray or DVD discs). If I remember right, the change in the Oracle's appearance is explained away as part of her shell had been assimilated in the creation of Sati, the little girl in Revolutions. The Merovingian apparently used the Oracle's code to create the girl (and there is a brief shot of Sati's father in the guy's restaurant, so the insinuation is that's when the initial deal was made), and in the third film, they move her out in the train station.

I remember at the time, they encouraged fans to watch all the movies, the Animatrix, and play the Enter the Matrix game to get the entire story. This is part of the reason.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

There is a slight continuity provided with the live-action footage filmed for the Enter the Matrix video game (which should appear as a special feature on one of these Blu-Ray or DVD discs). If I remember right, the change in the Oracle's appearance is explained away as part of her shell had been assimilated in the creation of Sati, the little girl in Revolutions. The Merovingian apparently used the Oracle's code to create the girl (and there is a brief shot of Sati's father in the guy's restaurant, so the insinuation is that's when the initial deal was made), and in the third film, they move her out in the train station.

I remember at the time, they encouraged fans to watch all the movies, the Animatrix, and play the Enter the Matrix game to get the entire story. This is part of the reason.

Yeah I remember that, surprisingly. I thought it was pretty cool including those scenes in the Ultimate Collection DVD way back in the day.

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by Gate

The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions would have been amazing if they were edited together as one 2 and a half hour movie with the filler removed and a strong focus on streamlining the story.

You didn't care for the rave dancing?

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

You didn't care for the rave dancing?

I mean, it was totally plot relevant!!

[JavaJulien]

Oh yeah, forgot an obvious one: Man of Steel.

[Abdrewes]

Wyatt Earp. There's a solid 140 minute move there.

[ultlife2013]

These are like the hipster threads were people think that their opinions on movies are so great and innovative.

I'll play along, the last 30 minutes of Django unchained could have been condensed.

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by ultlife2013

These are like the hipster threads were people think that their opinions on movies are so great and innovative.

Bashing hipsters is a very hipster thing to do.

[jamesdevil]

'Hipster' is almost as bastardized as 'overrated' on here.

[ultlife2013]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

Bashing hipsters is a very hipster thing to do.

That is so last year.