Apocalypse Now Redux

Rating:
Summary: Despite great DVD transfer, "Redux" overstates its point
Review: My first exposure to this film was the extended version "Apocalypse Now Redux." When it was over, I could see a lot of genius behind the film, but I had no interest in viewing it again. I had no interest in watching the original either. However, after reading several reviews of the original 1979 version of "Apocalypse Now," I decided to watch it the way it was originally portrayed. I'm glad I did. Since "Redux" is 49 minutes longer than the original, I immediately noticed the absence of several scenes. However, I didn't miss the added scenes. "Redux" overstates its point, in my opinion. I do not believe that the added scenes provided any further clarification or provided anything that we truly needed to know to better understand the story. I usually tend to prefer extended versions of movies. Sometimes key elements are wrongfully removed from movies for the sake of time. However, in the case of "Redux," I find the added scenes to be more of a distraction. The original "Apocalypse Now" states its point completely and succinctly. On the positive side of "Redux," I must say that the latest DVD transfer of the movie is visually stunning. That's not to badmouth the visual quality of the original 1979 version, which still looks quite good. Some may argue that you can still watch "Apocalypse Now" in its original version on "Redux" since the chapter list tells which parts are new. That is true. However, unfortunately, there are no menu options which allow you to watch it in its original form unless you advance to the next scene yourself. I doubt most people are going to stay glued to the remote control and the chapter list as they watch this movie -- just to see it in its original form. The original release includes extra bonus footage, "Destruction of the Kurtz Compound," not available in "Redux." Count me as one more reviewer who recommends watching the original before watching (if you must) "Redux."

Rating:
Summary: Did I see Laural and Hardy????
Review: Or was it the antics of the Three Stooges?

From a purist point of view, Capt. Willard has a touch of comic relief and libido for white girls in the middle of Vietnam. The Redux admitedly portrays the original character personality of Wiilard but the final editing of the original release reveals the masterpiece of Coppala's creativity. The original version presents a serious and introspective Willard whose perspective on the war seems to parralel's Kurtz's. Both men seem to hate lies and hipocracy and they both view these as rampant in the general staff decision making process. They in turn, become pawns in a world where integrity has vanished driving one to insanity and the other not too far behind. I think this character parallel develops ideally in the original edited version, whereas the Redux draws away from this strong dual identity. The edited scenes are uneccesary tangents that weaken the film. I recomend one view the original first.

Rating:
Summary: Watch it again, carefully (4.5 Stars)
Review: If you like films about the Vietnam War for the action and tension, you'll probably love the first half. After that you may find it an effort to stay engaged. The film's length alone is not for the faint hearted, or for the casual movie-goer who only sees this film in the context of a war flick.

It's essentially an examination of external and internal human conflicts: among peoples and within ourselves. Generations of artists have explored conditions in which our worst natures flourish; and war, where we see horror at its greatest scope and extent, is often the perfect canvas upon which to portray man's darker side. For Coppola, Milius and the rest of the creators, Vietnam encapsulated 20th Century America's conflicts.

The further Willard and company go up river, the less the story is about the war or Vietnam. Deeper into the primordial jungle--into the realm where Kurtz has unsuccessfully sought refuge from his own demons--the war, civilization, even time itself become suspended. It's a place where air power, the signature extension of American military prowess, is useless (note the downed helo and fighter jet); where armies battle with arrows and spears; where death is delivered by one's own hands (use of machetes to kill Chef and Kurtz) instead of from a distance. In the end it asks all of us, 'Before you judge, what would you have become in such a place?'

I was very curious about the extra footage, having heard about it in 'Hearts of Darkness'. And I at first found the French plantation episode, while ghostly and mysterious, definitely intrusive and unnecessary.

When I saw it a second time, I noticed that the segment begins and ends with identical shots of Willard on the bow of the boat riding into (or out of) mist. The set up and conclusion of a dream sequence, perhaps? An imaginary Vietnam where Willard can find warm food, clean clothes, opium and sex? Is this his Elysium, where he'll go once he dies? It's certainly better than his reality. Whether intentional or not those clever visual parentheses tell me that the inclusion wasn't gratuitous.

As for the other additions, I'm mixed. Kilgore's obsessiveness over surfing (and his surfboard) is so overdone, and to such unbelievable excess that he becomes a caricature. His comic, yet menacing behavior is replaced by plain, vanilla-flavored looniness; just another Vietnam War kook. Ho hum.

Also seeing Kurtz for the first time in full daylight, when he releases Willard from the hot box, only serves to diminish his mythic persona as a nocturnal, predatory beast. Not only do we see is very un-Green Beret and immense girth, we also seem him like some New Age Laguna Beach burnout on a fashionably-Buddhist jungle retreat.

But I'm very pleased with the restorationa and transfer. The entire work has given me more food for thought on one of the most complex American films. But oh, do I wish there was a commentary from Coppola, Milus and Sheen.

Rating:
Summary: The original is better
Review: Much like another reviewer, I give Redux three stars because of the fact that Apocalypse Now is such a great movie. But, really this expanded reissue was a disapointment to me. I had heard about the French plantation part of the movie for a long time. However, instead of adding to the movie it causes it to grind to a halt. The original moved at a great pace, hitting all the sweet spots on the way to Kurtz's compound. The French plantation scene adds nothing to the understanding because it was too long. It's nearly half an hour long! The other little added scenes do add something more to the film. The Playboy Playmate encounter was not that great either. I liked that Chef ached for the girls during USO. The added scenes with Brando are not bad, but by that time I was tired. I think the movie suffers from a want to add everything that Coppola had to take out when the movie first came out. Some of that stuff should have stayed out, and I'm glad it did. This time around he made the mistake of wanting to add too much. Like I said, the little touches, like the expanded interpay with Kilgore was good. However, it was more of a novelty than something of substance. All the scenes combined did not add to the original Apocalypse Now. It shouldn't have been redone.

Rating:
Summary: A bit Long
Review: Coppolla's 'masterpiece' was a dubious and over-long project to begin with, but three and a half hours is tearing the arse out of it. I'm not at all sure that the 'bonus material' has helped matters. The ill-judged inclusion of the French plantation scene only adds to the sense of a film without structure or direction and will leave you glancing at your watch every five minutes. This newly cut edition will probably be a delight for absolute fans of the film, but more mainstream audiences may find it draining - not the best advertisement for any movie.

Rating:
Summary: See the original first!
Review: I recently viewed Apocalypse Now Redux on cable, and even more recently purchased the DVD of the original cut of Apocalypse Now. To anyone who has never seen the movie, I strongly suggest that you watch the original cut first. It is by far the better movie, and I would easily give it five stars.

Naturally, I was chomping at the bit to see the expanded movie. Who wouldn't be excited at the prospect of seeing so much added footage to one of their favorite films? And it is interesting, of course, to see all the scenes that were left out. Alas, they're not very good, they slow the movie down, and, although they do add interesting character development, they dilute the film's power considerably.

The French plantation scene is both boring and puzzling, the playmate scene is creepy and incomplete, and such business as stealing the surfboard diminsihes the impact of the preceding scene.

I have no idea what happened to Coppola's judgment. But the first cut is the product of the vision of the man who made the first two Godfather films, while the new cut seems to reflect the judgment of the man who made the third Godfather movie and Jack. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Coppola, and I continue to hope that he will yet make a movie that can compare to his towering achievements of the 70's. But although he has made some good movies since the One From the Heart disaster (I'm quite fond of Bram Stoker's Dracula, for instance), his output of the last two decades no longer places him in the first rank of directors, I'm sorry to say.

I guess my basic advice to you is to rent the original cut. If you like it, then of course, you'll want to see the long version (Redux). Then make up your own mind. I'm sure that many of you will disagree with me. But I truly believe that you'll have a better chance of recognizing that this is one of the greatest films ever if you see it as Coppola originally conceived it.

Rating:
Summary: Stay as far away as possible
Review: This movie gets a three because the original theatrical release is almost a five. This movie is just a waste of money and time. It claims to have exclusive added footage, which it does, but that does not make it a good thing. Actually the added footage is what makes this movie so horrible. What is so horrible about the added footage? Well it is 20 minutes of Marlon Brando mumbling to Charlie Sheen. I remember renting this on DVD and enjoying it until it reached the added footage of Marlon babbling. If you are a fan of Apocalypse Now and want to add it to your DVD collection or even your VHS collection, then buy the original release without the added scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the greatest war film ever
Review: In putting together his director's cut of Apocalypse Now, director Francis Ford Coppola has created a masterpiece. It may even be the best war film of all time.

Though it has been a number of years since I last saw the theatrical version, I could tell immediately that this version is the definitive one. The characters and their relationships are further explored and flushed out, and the journey down the river by a soldier (Martin Sheen) on his way to assassinate a renegade general (Marlon Brando) really feels epical. Full of beautifully photographed scenes matched with precision by a great soundtrack (the opening scene alone is worth seeing the film), it's hard not to get caught up in the movie. This is just as much a quest film as a war film, and the additional scenes help this incredibly.

The only drawback is the addition of the French Plantation sequence, which occurs near the end and grinds the momentum to a halt. A long dinner scene with Frenchmen has little to do with the plot line of the film. Just when the film should be building up to the end confrontation, it takes this leisurely detour.

But despite this, the film still manages to be incredibly powerful. It tops my list of favorite war films I've seen, and could very well be the best in history. This expanded version should not be missed by any film connoisseur.

Rating:
Summary: Beware! Pan and Scan mess
Review: While the original film was 2.1:1 aspect ratio, Paramount has butchered this film by pan and scanning down to fit a 16:9 widescreen TV. Of course they don't bother to tell you that on the package. So much for the director's vision. Paramount, you should be ashamed.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the film editor
Review: The original film was brilliant. This version is bloated with fatally flawed pacing. The additional footage is embarrasingly bad - especially the French plantation and Playmate scenes. A perfect example of why good film editing is undervalued. Francis - your original vision was excellant. Don't second-guess yourself next time.