The Natural: Director's Cut
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Movie Reviews of The Natural: Director's Cut
Movie Review: Redford Hits It Out of the Park!
Summary: 4 Stars
Roy Hobbs' path to glory cut down by a psychotic woman -- years later, he gets his boyhood bat (thanks to the cool flashbacks for the audience participation) and gets onto the New York Knights, a last place team with their only ambition to not lose too much. Thanks to Hobbs' skill (played masterfully by Robert Redford, in his gosh-darn-it style) the team comes together and gains confidence.
That is, until he meets Kim Bassinger and all heck breaks loose. Will Hobbs be able to save the team, win the pennant and help out Pops? Or will the gamblers and crooked owners take the goods? His naivete' gets in the way a lot in this film, so much so that I as a viewer are going 'dummy'! to the screen!
Quite a tale of intrigue, not enough baseball, but lessons learned in this 1984 film. Great to see Redford, Bassinger and Glenn Close.
The director's cut adds only six or so minutes to the film, other than that, recommended two hours of your life well-spent!
Other Redford Recommendations:
The Horse Whisperer
The Candidate
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Great, but why fix something that ain't broke?
Summary: 4 Stars
I loved the Natural when it came out in 1984. The mythical quality of the story, terrific acting by a perfect cast, great editing, and great direction made this film one of my all time favorite sports movies.
So this year a new dvd version is being released that is being called the Director's cut. Apparently there are 20 minutes of new footage added in, but the editing results in a film that is only 6 minutes longer than the original. The chief difference between the two versions is that the backstory is relayed primarily through flashback from the "present", as Roy Hobbs returns to his childhood home after 16 years away. He retrieves "Wonder Boy", then goes to New York to start his career with the NY Knights.
The new version works okay, but I frankly preferred the original. I preferred its slightly more deliberate pacing, and I don't think the new scenes (primarily extended versions of already existing scenes) added any real value or perspective. Indeed, one scene in which Memo travels to meet Roy on the road actually detracted from the cohesion of the story.
Bottom line: if you loved the original, you'll like this one. It's still basically the same film. I just don't think it needed any tinkering.
Movie Review: Baseball Mysticism - Give us a choice
Summary: 4 Stars
My all time favorite sports movie next to "PRIDE OF THE YANKEES" and "HOOSIERS". The only criticism I have is that they should have made TWO ENDINGS. The "upbeat one" used in the Hollywood release and the " gritty downer ending" as read from the final pages of the book. And let the viewer choose before watching the film. I'd still pick the one used by Hollywood but it would have been nice to have Malmed's literary ending also.Movie Review: Editors Deserve Respect
Summary: 4 Stars
The director's cut is intersting and fills a few gaps. I also liked the commentary and the explanation of symbols I didn't understand. (Who knew Iris was the messenger of the gods. I thought it was in your eye.)
Still I preferred the edited version to the director's cut. Sometimes it is better to have a little more mystery.
Movie Review: The Natural Extended
Summary: 4 Stars
Ever wonder why Roy Hobbs tells Memo, "...you're right Memo, we have met before"? That's right, in the original theatrical release she never asks Roy if they'd ever met before. Now you get to see the scene that sets that dialogue up. The added scenes are wonderful and they're all over this new DVD. A lot of fun and very enjoyable.