Ahhh...for me, this one has always been the Fantasy-genre counterpart to Tron. Compare the astonishing similarites:
- Both largely blown-off on initial release, only to gradually develop a cult audience of devoted fans.
- For both, the main appeal is without question the dazzling visuals, which, though dated by today's standards, still manage to hold up quite well and are just right in their own way.
- Both tainted with crap dialogue, and generally tepid acting amongst the leads (the exception being the main baddie, in both played by a seasoned Brit).
- Both fables with strong Biblical imagery (Legend: Old Testament/Garden of Eden, Tron: New Testament/ Flynn-as-Christ figure)
- Both had a score composed by electronic music/synth artists (Wendy Carlos for Tron; Tangerine Dream for Legend).
- And now, both have a kick-ass 2DVD package, complete with more stuff than you'd ever want or need to know about either.
Verdict: the new DVD is pretty fresh. But which version is better? The newly-restored Director's Cut (with Jerry Goldsmith score and Lily as a princess)? Or did they have it right with the original US release? I think this is really an uncommon case where the two versions remain different from one another, and yet are generally of comparable quality overall...For example, the Goldsmith score is quite good, more traditional and seems much more 'appropriate' to the fantasy movie (and more functional in providing that additional facet to Mia Sara's character), and yet I love the TD score because it provides a unique, alien and enigmatic quality to the film. Another example: The U.S. ending is a bit more cliched (Jack and Lily drifting off together in the sunset, waving goodbye to their friends) but has that great, haunted glimpse of Darkness laughing, suggesting a not-100% happy ending. The Director's Cut is less cliched, with Jack and Lily parting ways for now, so that Lily can 'come and play' another time (implying that maybe this is Lily's fantasy/daydream?)
― Joe, Monday, 27 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Tim Curry just owned that damn movie, I have to say. Along with the
designs. Love the film and pretty much agree with Joe's takes on its
strengths and weaknesses -- been looking forward to this release for a
while.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)
Watched it some more (but have yet to listen to Ridley Scott's
commentary)...
a) I like the opening Tim Curry monologue better in the US
version..the Director's Cut one seems a tad too banal and obvious to
me: "I am the Lord of Darkness, sunshine is my destroyer, etc...",
whereas the whole "Mother Night...enfold me in your black embrace..."
(or whatever it is) has more lyricism to it (especially when matched
with Curry's glowing eyes and the shades of blue). Though to its
credit Director's Cut does not require the opening scrolling
exposition about the characters...
b) Great line: "She was so sweet, I could eat her brains like jam!"
c) That 'dark waltz' scene is pure late 40s/early 50s Powell &
Pressburger (and, by extension, classic 30s/40s Disney). To me, it
strongly recalls "The Red Shoes" and "Tales of Hoffman".
― Joe, Tuesday, 28 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)