Posted by Rich on December 02, 1999 at 04:12:47:
In Reply to: DVDin' In MohicanLand! posted by Rich on December 01, 1999 at 04:29:03:
: We'll have lots more to say after seeing it in its entirety, but ...
OK ... we've seen it! On Sunday, on the Director's Cut Drive Page, we will have as thorough a review as we can muster up for the benefit of all those who haven't yet seen it.
Meanwhile, I just want to say a couple of things ... my opinions, of course ...
One is that this is not some hatchet job by Michael Mann. I know that there are some, and we'd be in that category early on, who will be bitterly disappointed that this isn't a full-blown director's cut with gobs of extra footage added. However, once you get past that, you will see, I believe, that someone very definitely knew what they were doing. I agree, wholeheartedly, with Ben's previous comments. Real "subtle"-like, Michael Mann has, in my opinion, transferred his original masterpiece into a MASTERPIECE!
There is not one change made in this film that I didn't think was for the betterment of the overall film, with the possible exception being that the roar of the waterfalls at the cave were toned down a bit much.
One other thing ... It is a misnomer to label Chingachgook's words at the end of the film a "speech." Far from it ... it comes off as conversation with Hawkeye, and is very powerful stuff. Left me with a lump in my throat, for sure.
My suggestion to all my friends out there in MohicanLand is to forget what you know, let go of your expectations, and immerse yourself in this new look at LOTM, enjoying the added depth provided by the new lines & takes ... I think you'll enjoy it! Elaine & I most certainly did!
More soon ...