Alien 3 "directors / extended / workprint" cut... a better film? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Volcane · 05-06-2004, 10:04 PM

Having had my Alien Quadrilogy box some time now I am finally getting to see the films after watching the extensive special features (v. interesting for those few of you who know not!)

I've watched the directors cut of Alien and have to agree with Ridley Scott that it's not better, just a "different beast". The extended version of Aliens I am familiar with and shall watch again for continuity's sake, I'm sure most will agree the extended version is the way to go with this film.

But now to my question, I am wondering what to expect from the extnded version of the third film. Is it better? Is it worse? Or, like the first, just a "different beast" again?

I'm expeting radical changes judging from comments in the documentary, especially from the composer with comments like "I didn't enjoy the cinema release as I know what was taken out" etc...

Just for the record I think Alien3 in it's normal version is good enogh in it's own right, but not a patch on it's predecessors!

Any thoughts on what I should expect?

limacharliewhiskey · 05-06-2004, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volcane

Having had my Alien Quadrilogy box some time now I am finally getting to see the films after watching the extensive special features (v. interesting for those few of you who know not!)

I've watched the directors cut of Alien and have to agree with Ridley Scott that it's not better, just a "different beast". The extended version of Aliens I am familiar with and shall watch again for continuity's sake, I'm sure most will agree the extended version is the way to go with this film.

But now to my question, I am wondering what to expect from the extnded version of the third film. Is it better? Is it worse? Or, like the first, just a "different beast" again?

I'm expeting radical changes judging from comments in the documentary, especially from the composer with comments like "I didn't enjoy the cinema release as I know what was taken out" etc...

Just for the record I think Alien3 in it's normal version is good enogh in it's own right, but not a patch on it's predecessors!

Any thoughts on what I should expect?

I consider the extended Alien3 cut to be a different beast, like Alien. I don't know if the extended cut is better, but it certainly fleshes out some more characters that were seen very briefly in the theatrical version.

There is certainly one major plot point that was very confusing in the theatrical version that is explained more clearly in the extended cut, but I can understand why many of the scenes were cut, most of them due to time and pacing of the film.

The extended cut is certainly interesting, but I don't think any of the scenes really enhance the storytelling with the same effect that the extended cut of Aliens does.

Surf Monkey · 05-06-2004, 10:19 PM

Alien3 was dead in the water from the concept phase. Is the work print better? I don't think so. It's interesting, it's different and I'm glad that we can see it but better? No. I don't think it's better.

lakini71 · 05-06-2004, 10:30 PM

I enjoyed the theatrical version of Alien 3, but I found the extended cut to be MUCH better. Some of the same problems are still there, unfortunately. However, several entire sections of plot have been restored in addition to many more characters being fleshed out. It makes for a totally different viewing experience, and I appreciate this cut of the film a great deal more.

MrE26 · 05-06-2004, 11:28 PM

I much prefer the Extended cut over the theatrical, some of the material that was cut was integral to the movie IMO. The 'capturing the creature' subplot in particular made little to no sense in the theatrical cut, & the beautifully shot opening scenes (which i remember being filmed not far from me) are a lot better in this cut. I do think that they restored too much material though, & a lot of it just served to make the film drag on a little too much. I doubt this is the version Fincher would have released, i think his cut would be more of a hybrid of the two.

Sid · 05-07-2004, 01:25 AM

Someone like me who actually liked Alien 3 to begin with, the workprint is better. If you didn't like Alien 3 to begin with. just forget about it.

bjh_18 · 05-07-2004, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid

Someone like me who actually liked Alien 3 to begin with, the workprint is better. If you didn't like Alien 3 to begin with. just forget about it.

That about says it right there. Alien 3 is my favorite after Alien, and I found the extended cut to be much better. But if you didn't like the first one to begin with like so many other people, the extended cut won't really change your opinion of the movie.

MooglePorn · 05-07-2004, 02:42 AM

Alien 3 Workprint is far better, but still a crappy film compared to the first two...

NailGun Massacre · 05-07-2004, 08:15 PM

To bore everyone again with the same redundant statements made here before me...

ALIENS3 is a cool flick,and the work print is EVEN BETTER...if you liked the theatrical version. If not...I doubt you would enjopy the other version.

Hicks007 · 05-07-2004, 10:00 PM

I thought that it was a bit of a "different beast", but I also liked it better.

Monterey Jack · 05-08-2004, 05:54 AM

Neither version is very good (compared to the first two films in the series), but at least the workprint makes more sense.

Then again, the "ox" scene in the workprint isn't as good as the "dog" scene in the original...

Bishop · 05-08-2004, 08:18 AM

The workprint makes more sense is much better until the ending which I like better in the theatrical version.

Workprint= Ripley falls into molten lead
Theatrical= Ripley fights the queen chest burster as it tries to get out of her while she falls into molten lead

The film still sucks either way though.

It's like, would Star Trek 5 be better with the Rock Monsters? NO!

05-06-2004, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Volcane Actor Join Date: Jan 2004	Alien 3 "directors / extended / workprint" cut... a better film? Having had my Alien Quadrilogy box some time now I am finally getting to see the films after watching the extensive special features (v. interesting for those few of you who know not!) I've watched the directors cut of Alien and have to agree with Ridley Scott that it's not better, just a "different beast". The extended version of Aliens I am familiar with and shall watch again for continuity's sake, I'm sure most will agree the extended version is the way to go with this film. But now to my question, I am wondering what to expect from the extnded version of the third film. Is it better? Is it worse? Or, like the first, just a "different beast" again? I'm expeting radical changes judging from comments in the documentary, especially from the composer with comments like "I didn't enjoy the cinema release as I know what was taken out" etc... Just for the record I think Alien3 in it's normal version is good enogh in it's own right, but not a patch on it's predecessors! Any thoughts on what I should expect?

05-08-2004, 05:54 AM	#11 (permalink)
Monterey Jack Wants to be John Smith Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Walpole, MA U.S.A.	Neither version is very good (compared to the first two films in the series), but at least the workprint makes more sense. Then again, the "ox" scene in the workprint isn't as good as the "dog" scene in the original... __________________ Lol VHS forty dollars??? more like dvd's 5 dollars hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha skip a long to blu ray disc and get with the freakin program!!!!!!!! LOL -ty_guy123321@hotmal.com

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05-06-2004, 10:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Surf Monkey Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The City of Roses	Alien3 was dead in the water from the concept phase. Is the work print better? I don't think so. It's interesting, it's different and I'm glad that we can see it but better? No. I don't think it's better.

05-06-2004, 10:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
lakini71 Supporting Actor Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Orleans	I enjoyed the theatrical version of Alien 3, but I found the extended cut to be MUCH better. Some of the same problems are still there, unfortunately. However, several entire sections of plot have been restored in addition to many more characters being fleshed out. It makes for a totally different viewing experience, and I appreciate this cut of the film a great deal more.

05-06-2004, 11:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
MrE26 Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Newcastle, England.	I much prefer the Extended cut over the theatrical, some of the material that was cut was integral to the movie IMO. The 'capturing the creature' subplot in particular made little to no sense in the theatrical cut, & the beautifully shot opening scenes (which i remember being filmed not far from me) are a lot better in this cut. I do think that they restored too much material though, & a lot of it just served to make the film drag on a little too much. I doubt this is the version Fincher would have released, i think his cut would be more of a hybrid of the two.

05-07-2004, 01:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sid Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Antioch, California, U.S.A.	Someone like me who actually liked Alien 3 to begin with, the workprint is better. If you didn't like Alien 3 to begin with. just forget about it.

05-07-2004, 02:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
MooglePorn Actor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philadelphia, PA	Alien 3 Workprint is far better, but still a crappy film compared to the first two...

05-07-2004, 08:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
NailGun Massacre Banned Join Date: Apr 2004	To bore everyone again with the same redundant statements made here before me... ALIENS3 is a cool flick,and the work print is EVEN BETTER...if you liked the theatrical version. If not...I doubt you would enjopy the other version.

05-07-2004, 10:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hicks007 Actor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Indiana	I thought that it was a bit of a "different beast", but I also liked it better.

05-08-2004, 08:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Bishop Actor Join Date: Nov 2003	The workprint makes more sense is much better until the ending which I like better in the theatrical version. Workprint= Ripley falls into molten lead Theatrical= Ripley fights the queen chest burster as it tries to get out of her while she falls into molten lead The film still sucks either way though. It's like, would Star Trek 5 be better with the Rock Monsters? NO!