original cut is better

Rating: Null/10 (2 November 2004)

Just a short note:
Having seen the "original cut" on DVD, and enjoyed it (enough to watch the movie again straight away with the commentary) - I saw it recently on the big screen. It was the "director's cut" and, while I usually find the big screen experience much much more satisfying than watching a DVD on TV, I have to say that I thought the director's cut was far inferior to the previously released version.
It is, frankly, a bit of a mess.
It manages to include, seemingly, a lot more material, while being even more confusing. Not mysterious, not fascinating, not tantalising; just confusing. I would guess that an intelligent film fan, watching the director's cut without having seen the movie before, would not have a clue what "happened".
Not true with the other version - you get it, you can piece it all together, and the original film is a little delight in that regard. You are given enough information to work it out, but not enough to sense that, actually it doesn't really add up (which is hinted at in the DVD commentary). In the directors cut, you are left thinking "huh?". Furthermore, the mystery as to the nature of the happening is spoiled with a load of pointless "computer vision" inserts, on-screen graphics that add nothing but a jarring note.
So - forget the director's cut. It's an indulgence and a mistake. Go for the original film as released. It's just a better movie.