The Big Blue - Director's Cut

Rating:
Summary: I used to hate it....now I don't.
Review: I have to thank all the "Amazonians" who wrote reviews on The Big Blue. I am a fan of The Fifth Element and so found myself surfing Luc Besson films here. I absolutely despised this film and counted it among rhe worst films of all time. I could not fathom Jaques decision to leave Johanna and the baby. And in the American version it ends with what I considered a surreal "art film" garbage finale which I thought was one of the stupidest things I had ever seen in a film to that point. Well I was shocked to see so many great reviews for this film and decided to give this Director's version another chance. I am happy to say I have totally turned around on this film. In retrospect I watched The Big Blue years ago in VHS mono on a 19" tv and fell asleep and missed about twenty minutes. And while I probably still would have liked it this time on a 27 inch set, I saw it projected on a ten foot screen in Dolby stereo surround. This film benefits from a big screen experience as it really has a chance to envelope you. I can not compare the music as many have. But the additional footage and ending made the film a far more pleasant experience. The ending which seemed out of left field and bizarre in the American version is replaced with a destination which fits more satisfyingly. This original Euro version is more grounded on this planet while still retaining a magical quality. Also better is Jaques rival Enzo (Jean Reno) who seems merely driven by competition in the American version. Here we find Enzo is actually a more endearing friend. While he is a macho guy who likes to puff a bit, he has humor and seems far less driven and single minded. I liked and appreciated the romance this time out. And for what its worth (maybe I was asleep the first time) but there are some nice love scenes with Rosanna I didn't remember. So to make a long story shorter, not only do I no longer hate "The Big Blue" I also own the DVD and can recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: This is the *original* version
Review: I totally respect that people may prefer the "US version". I didn't even know there were a US version. But the original version, the French version, released in France in 88 and that was a complete generation phenomenon back there is on this DVD. Yes there is sex, yes the ending is darker, yes the music is from Eric Serra, and yes that's the way it should be. Luc Besson works only with Eric Serra for music and vice-versa. A Luc Besson movie without an Eric Serra score seems completely heretical to me. So if you wanna watch the feel good, americanized version with the wrong music, you can watch the VHS, but here you're getting the real thing. And again, this is no jugement on the other version (I haven't seen it), I understand some people prefer it, but this movie on the DVD is the one Luc Besson wanted to make. I don't understand that need of making a US version. Why can't we get the original movie? Do the producers here think we're too dumb to watch the original? Whatever... The Big Blue is not a feel good movie, it has a realistic dark component to make you interogate yourself. That's why I like French movie, they don't compromise.

Rating:
Summary: In my top 10
Review: The first time I saw this movie it was on network TV in the middle of the night. I was completely sucked into it. I couldn't believe I saw something so fantastic on network TV that I went out to the video store right away to rent it. The cinematography is some of the best I've ever seen. Jean Marc Baer and Jean Reno were perfect on screen adversaries/compadres. Real gentlemen competitors. I was not impressed with Rosanna Arquette as the love interest. In my opinion, the fit was just not right. However, there was much more to the film that I could get over her part. The addition of footage in the Directors cut add more understanding to the film and answers many of the questions I had in the original. This one is in my top 10.

Rating:
Summary: The Bigger Blue
Review: I first experienced Le Grand Bleu on a rainy day in Aix en Provence ("sex en vacances" as my friend calls it, although that wasn't the case for me) back in 1988. After returning to the States I found myself renting it for anyone who had not seen it and, I admit, fathoming, by their response to the film, the depth of the unknowing viewer. For me, it is a story of loss and grief and the trauma of losing a parent. Jacques' love for his father is sublimated into a passion for the sea, a passion against which even losing his virginity to Rosanna Arquette's beautiful Johanna pales as he is called immediately afterward to swim all night and kiss the dolphins while she sleeps on a slab of rock waiting for him.

The metaphor for the distant man, the seized child destined to die the death of his father because he cannot claim his own manhood in any other way, expands graciously in the director's cut, which, as other commentators have stated, provides deeper characterization and portrays Jacques' struggle to salvage his own life from his father's death much more immensely.

I now view the first release of The Big Blue as a mere trailer to the director's cut, and am deeply grateful for the bigger picture.

Rating:
Summary: Beauté du diable
Review: One of the most beautiful works of art to ever lace the silver screen, this is a rare film with the capacity to change your perception in surprising ways. But, this isn't like the typical mainstream movies we are bombarded with. The Big Blue is best approached with an open mind, or at least with nonchalance.

Luc Besson probably finds the exploration and metamorphosis of characters the most enjoyable part of the movie making process, which makes the characters very engaging even if you can't identify with them. I mean you have to be a bit of a fruit-cake to be a professional free diver. As an occasional scuba diver I love the sea, but there are clearly limits. Limits that Luc Besson is an adept at expanding... and few can match his talent in orchestrating the ensuing consequences.

Rating:
Summary: Beauté du diable
Review: One of the most beautiful works of art to ever lace the silver screen, this is a rare film with the capacity to change your perception in surprising ways. But, this is very different from most of the mainstream movies we are bombarded with. The Big Blue is best approached with an open mind, or at least with nonchalance and a comfortable couch.

Luc Besson probably finds the exploration and metamorphosis of characters the most enjoyable part of the movie making process, which makes the characters very engaging even if you can't identify with them. I mean you have to be a bit of a fruit-cake to be a professional free diver. As an occasional scuba diver I love the sea, but there are clearly limits. Limits that Luc Besson is an adept at expanding... and few can match his talent in orchestrating the ensuing consequences.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and Stunning filmography
Review: Luc Besson proves himself a veritable master director who captivates the audience/viewer with unique, fascinating, and stunning filmography. The acting as a whole is compelling and believable. Eric Serra composes a phenomenal sound track worthy of anyone's collection. Two reasons for which I considered a less than 5 STARS rating: 1- there's enough tragedy in real life which is why many people watch Movies. "Happily Ever After" would have been great; 2- in this movie Rosanna Arquette is perfectly obnoxious.

Rating:
Summary: Not the same!
Review: The version of this movie on VHS has been my favorite movie for many years. I was recently given this DVD, and they added on about 30 minutes to the old movie. The parts that were added back in change the meaning of the movie for the worse. Rather than enhancing what was in the VHS version, it's like they added on parts from another movie. It's still a good movie, but I recommend the VHS version.

Rating:
Summary: What's wrong with you people? This movie is amazing!!
Review: I simply don't get it: I admit it. How possibly could so many people have found this version of "The Big Blue" dissapointing, boring, with lousy music... ???

I saw the film for the first time some ten years ago in VHS (a very poor setting I have to say): back then it still had the soundtrack played by Eric Serra as well, which happens to be in my opinion, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever created to go with a movie. In fact, the movie and the music are partly responsible for my love for diving, dolphins and the sea, after movies such as "Jaws" scared the heck out of me when I was a child.

Plus, the storyline is so beautiful; and the photography (the first minutes in B&W, from then on in radiant color, capturing the Mediterranean Sea, both over and under the water), is breathtaking. If you add to that the dolphins, Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno's acting (he's hilarious!), the movie can't get any perfect. It deserves FIVE stars all the way.

Rating:
Summary: What happened to the music!?!?!?!?
Review: I too, like many, loved the original soundtrack (Bill Conti) I recently purchased the DVD with great anticipation and was sadly disappointed. I was unaware that there were two different soundtracks. I found the Eric Serra score to be intrusive and overbearing. I own two of the VHS with the original score and I suppose I will have to get a VHS player again so I can enjoy this wonderful movie. Please reconsider before purchasing a DVD version of this film. If you loved the movie when it was released you will probably not enjoy the DVD edition.