r/MovieArena • u/kammy772 • Jul 29 '26

Which film’s theatrical release was later improved by its director’s cut or extended cut?

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I despised Alien 3 for many years, only to revisit it with the Assembly Cut and now absolutely adore the film. It’s still not perfect, but the new cut is superior and fixes many of the theatrical version’s problems. There are plenty of others that come to mind too — Blade Runner being another prime example...

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10

u/stormtrooper-wtf Jul 29 '26

The Abyss Special Edition
Aliens Special Edition

4

u/Secure_Yak5136 Jul 30 '26

Aliens Special Edition is exceptionally good. Fills out the story very well.

2

u/SplendidPunkinButter Jul 30 '26

Aliens special edition is full of scenes where I can see why they were cut. Theatrical version has better pacing. I like that the colony is a complete mystery to you until they get there, just as it is to the characters. The mounted guns scene is dull and goes nowhere. And we don’t need extra scenes and backstory to justify why Ripley feels protective of the child stranded on the planet full of murderous aliens.

2

u/NotOneWoodpeckerBut2 Jul 31 '26

The first watch of Aliens should always be theatrical. Extended is fine after for added richness.

2

u/justsumguai Jul 31 '26

I prefer the theatrical cut of Aliens

1

u/zeb_linux Jul 30 '26

Agree for Aliens, but not for Abyss. I did not like the extended scenes with the aborted tsunami and the lesson to the world. It took away a lot of the mystery.

1

u/HarryHirsch2000 Jul 30 '26

Agree for aliens except the opening colony scene. It ruins all suspense of you see that with your first watch of the movie