I'm currently debating whether or not to get the LOTR: Extended Edition Box Set on Blu Ray (released today) or the cheaper Theatrical Cut Box Set.
When I checked prices on Amazon for the latter, though, I noticed that most people have trashed New Line for even releasing the theatrical cuts at all, loudly proclaiming that the Extended Editions are the only acceptable versions and nothing less will do. And that really surprises me.
Don't get me wrong, the extra footage is mostly great and smartly integrated into the films, and I own the Extended Editions on Standard DVD myself. But for me, those versions are way too long for a casual sitting and some of the added scenes are just silly or prolong sequences for too long. I've popped them in for friends who hadn't yet seen them or for the not-so-often LOTR marathon. But I still think the theatrical cuts are excellent. They're mercifully tighter, the editing feels smoother, and they lack some of the goofier additions that just didn't need to be in the films.
But that's just me. So I'm curious which version my fellow Mofos prefer. Theatrical or Extended? What say you?
When I checked prices on Amazon for the latter, though, I noticed that most people have trashed New Line for even releasing the theatrical cuts at all, loudly proclaiming that the Extended Editions are the only acceptable versions and nothing less will do. And that really surprises me.
Don't get me wrong, the extra footage is mostly great and smartly integrated into the films, and I own the Extended Editions on Standard DVD myself. But for me, those versions are way too long for a casual sitting and some of the added scenes are just silly or prolong sequences for too long. I've popped them in for friends who hadn't yet seen them or for the not-so-often LOTR marathon. But I still think the theatrical cuts are excellent. They're mercifully tighter, the editing feels smoother, and they lack some of the goofier additions that just didn't need to be in the films.
But that's just me. So I'm curious which version my fellow Mofos prefer. Theatrical or Extended? What say you?