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Summary: finally, the real movie
Review: This was one of my favorite movies when it first came out in the states (although, admittedly, I never thought it was really all that good). Now that I've seen the director's cut, it again becomes one of my favorites. With all of the original scenes put back in, the movie makes a lot more sense, the relationships between characters are better defined, and the movie has the kind of thoughtful pacing that goes along with the story--kind of like swimming underwater. The real insult is that these scenes were taken out of the movie for the American audience in the first place! Well, at least we can now enjoy the movie as it was meant to be scene.
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Summary: But, why no original soundtrack?
Review: This DVD edition marks the 4th time I've purchased this hauntingly beautiful film. You should surmise that I like it a lot. Hard to believe the man who made this calm, thoughful story also directed the frantic Fifth Element. I'm afraid I'm very disappointed that the DVD doesn't make the original score available (not even on the French language track.) Neither did earlier Laser Disc editions, but I was hoping that DVD technology would at least give me a choice. What a tragedy. So, the DVD is ejected and once again I am watching the VHS tape I recorded off Cinemax.
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Summary: A diver's classic movie!
Review: A diver's classic movie. Le Grand Bleu originally came out in 1988 and is a classic with new generation of diving fanatics. Incredible scenery of the sea all over the world, romance, silence, mysticism, a timeless soundtrack. Luc Besson, a diver and son of divers, directed this tribute to sea-lovers and the sea with childlike eyes. Ice diving, free-diving, wreck diving, deep dives, night diving... everything's there. I've watched this movie already a few dozen times and cannot detach myself from the scenery. It will forever be part of my collection.
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Summary: Pigs ear from a silk purse
Review: This is a textbook perfect example of the importance of editing and music score in film as an art form. If this is Luc Bessards idea of what "Big Blue " should look like, then it's time he left hollywood...(especially after the "Messenger" fiasco!). Mr Samuel Meyer, can we please have a 4.3 version of the original professionally edited film, this time without the cheesy 'porn flik style score?...tell me , would you rescore madam butterfly for the "new generation"??
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Summary: There simply can not be a different version.
Review: People are complaining here that the "original" American version was better. I find it very hard to believe. I saw this film first when it was released in Europe. I've seen it 10 times in a row, actually. I was very young and since then a lot of things changed. When I saw it released on a DVD, I was a little unsure -will I like it now? I've gone through a lot of different fazes over these years and my tastes kept jumping from Spielberg to Polansky, from Tarkovsky to Tarantino, from Altman to Cameron, from Carpenter to Herzog, from "007" to Kubrick and on and on. I was very unsure if this little romantic dream of my youth would touch me again. My God! Did it really! Since I bought this DVD (2 days ago) I watched it three times already and I'll watch it again and again. The music score is perfect and, trust me, I didn't stuck in the 80's as far as music and fashion go (although I have to admit that American music never touched me much with the exception of classics like... well, you know) The ending is my favorite part of the movie. There wouldn't be a movie without this ending! Have you tried to watch it with "isolated music score" feature turned on? I suggest you try it. I think that people who don't like the director's cut simply suffer from the well-known syndrome "the first experience is always the best one". The same thing happened to me, for example, when I saw the director's cut of Blade Runner - I was really missing the narration the first few times! Now? No way! (well, maybe for the old times sake) If you truly love something you'll love it in any shape and form and sooner or later you'll recognize it's most perfect variation. Watch this film again and if you haven't yet - buy it, rent it, whatever, just watch it! As someone said here: It will change your life! As for other Besson's movies, Leon (The professional) is probably the next best one. I never cared much for Nikitta and The fifth element is SO Hollywood it shouldn't even be mentioned in this contents (perfect entertainment though).
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Summary: Disapointing new Music Score
Review: I was trying to find this movie for long time because I had the first version on VHS. And I was very disappointed and mad with the Music score in this DVD release. The Old songs were perfect for this beautiful Movie. I think I will keep trying to find the old VHS version.
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Summary: The shorter US version was better
Review: I loved this movie, but it is unfortunate that the DVD version has only the longer director's cut. The shorter version released in America was a better movie, tightly edited, with a more interesting and enigmatic portrait of the diver, Jacque. They also, mercifully, replaced the original French new-age soundtrack, which drove us crazy when we watched the long version.
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Summary: Beautiful Blue
Review: This is one of the most seductively beautiful movies of all time. I kept smiling throughout this very long director's cut and I observed that others too get captivated and just keep smiling all the time. It's a very European work but also easy to watch and not boring at all. It also funny and tragic, and the music really weaves through it and adds depth to the visual experience. There are a lot of breathtaking scenes, but two are truly memorable: one is a scene of the hero awakening in the morning and seeing the ceiling of his room change into sea waves that ultimately engulf him; the other is the very last few seconds of the film, done with such mastery that it seems magical. There is probably not much sense in trying to find a deeper meaning in such a beautiful film, but I can't help it: I think the story is about our struggle between the real world filled with light, reason, friends, competition, wives and children - and the other unreal and irrational world of pure emotion, which is dark and cold and dangerous, where you are alone, but also the only place where you can see mermaids. Nietzsche wrote about the Apollonian (rational) and Dionysian (emotional) aspects of tragedy, and I think this movie is an interpretation of the same idea.
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Summary: BIG BLUE HEAVEN
Review: Words cannot express the thanks I have to the people who made this "Directors Cut" happen. I have waited a long 12 years for this. When this film first came out in 1988 I believe I saw it 7 times on the big screen having fallen in love with everything about it. As a writer and actor my own imagination was brought forth ten fold by beautiful visuals and characterizations and I felt displaced into another world visually, emotionally and also spiritually. Which to me is the way a film should make one feel. Luc Besson has created his masterpiece and should be seen as it was originally created. I hope he is still as happy with his film as I am with it 12 years later. Jean-Marc Barr is perfect in this defining lead role. I have always felt him an under appreciated actor and wish there was more of him on film. He is exciting to watch. His eyes tell more than any words can say and I think the director realized this and used it to the max. Rosanna Arquette is a little miscast (but fun) and the rest of the cast is perfect and keeps the story on line. I don't like to give away the story so I will not talk about it. I just want to say to anyone who has not seen this film. SEE IT! You'll love it and if you do not understand it or like it then I'm sorry for those who don't. This is a story that goes deep into the heart and soul of a man and reveals to us the beauty that can come from those who see beyond our own world. It also reminds us how precious and beautiful the sea is and that it should be respected and protected always. A week before this special directors cut was released on DVD the film was shown on the big screen in Los Angeles and I was there. Feeling the same emotional feelings I remembered from the first time I saw this film. BRAVO to Luc Besson!...
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Summary: Beware Directors with Big Egos
Review: First off, allow me to say that The Big Blue is one of my favorite movies of all time. I've seen it more times than I can count, and since I nearly wore out my VHS copy, I'm incredibly grateful that it's being released on DVD. I'm also incredibly grateful that, with the Director's Cut, we get to see the original ending for the movie, which is much more ambiguous and thus much more "real" than the tidy American version. My complaint is that 3 hours seems a bit much for this movie. Do we really need to see Jacques and Enzo on the oil rig? Do we really need so much of deaf Uncle Louie? Director's cuts can be wonderful things (take Bladerunner, for example). They can also be testaments to the egos of the directors, who seem to feel that if they shot it, it's worth going on screen. Sometimes a little editing can go a long way.
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