Movie-Specific : Once Upon a Time in America

[TheDenizen]

Man, I still need to see this flick. I haven't seen any of the versions floating around, though now I'm kinda tempted to wait on this super long cut.

[MadMan]

I've viewed only the current cut out on Blu Ray, and was completely blown away. Its a masterpiece and one of Leone's best movies (out of the too few he directed during his career), and I'm interested to see what new material would be present in a new DC. Its one of those really long movies where you are so engrossed you don't even feel the length of the film, and it completely flies by.

[Neonman]

I'd rather see the initial butchered two hour version that all the critics hated.

[TheDenizen]

Well, having seen the 229 minute cut on DVD recently, I have to say the picture is already pretty damn close to perfect, and can't see how another 25 minutes would drastically improve it in any way.

[djross]

For a contrary opinion, here is my review: "Great sets and lush photography cannot conceal that this is a movie of thoroughly unlikable cardboard-cutout characters who are moved through a ludicrous plot uttering third-rate dialogue, with inexplicably lengthy pauses between almost every line. The performances are poor by both the known stars and the youthful actors playing their counterparts, and the syrupy Morricone score does not help. Looks very nice on blu-ray but this movie cannot be recommended." Score: 35. Tier: 2.

[movieboy]

For a contrary opinion, here is my review: "Great sets and lush photography cannot conceal that this is a movie of thoroughly unlikable cardboard-cutout characters who are moved through a ludicrous plot uttering third-rate dialogue, with inexplicably lengthy pauses between almost every line. The performances are poor by both the known stars and the youthful actors playing their counterparts, and the syrupy Morricone score does not help. Looks very nice on blu-ray but this movie cannot be recommended." Score: 35. Tier: 2.

If you feel OUATIA had inexplicably lengthy pauses, you probably haven't watched Once Upon a Time in the West. The pauses are thrice as long and twice as inexplicable there.

My reviews
West - Tier 3

Long pauses & people walking slowly permeate what could have been a good movie. Editing 20 minutes of these zero value scenes would have given you a nice, tight movie.

America - Tier 6

I am left wondering if the movie really got over or did they just run out of space on the DVD? Hopefully in the future, when we have denser storage media, they will re-release with the full 500 minutes which Leone originally shot.

Once upon a time in the west however had the better story, dialogues, acting etc even if I have ranked it lower. It's just that the inexplicable pauses are intolerable.

[djross]

If you feel OUATIA had inexplicably lengthy pauses, you probably haven't watched Once Upon a Time in the West.

Your hunch is correct: I haven't seen any Leone movies other than Once Upon a Time in America. Very few Westerns interest me.

[Just1n]

This has been lying on my hard drive for ages. Really need to watch this.