Well, besides the language and the typeface, the other element of this sequence at the beginning of Blade Runner that makes it so special is the accompanying score by Vangelis, and the sound effects that start with twinkling computer notes and gradually build in volume to explosions and the whoosh of futuristic vehicles. It effectively immerses viewers into this incredible world and story.
Donnie Darko is interesting because the director's cut has significant changes to the music compared to the theatrical release, including the one played in the opening sequence.
I didn't know that and Donnie Darko is one of my favourite films.
From Wikipedia: "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen was replaced with "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS, which Kelly had not had the rights to use in the film's theatrical release.
Also: Kelly had originally wanted to use the songs "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS and "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys during the opening scene of Donnie cycling home and Sparkle Motion's dance at the talent show respectively, but financial constraints meant that he instead had to use "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen and "Notorious" by Duran Duran. For the director's cut, Kelly was able to gain the rights to use "Never Tear Us Apart" for the opening scene, and moved "The Killing Moon" to later in the film; "Notorious" was not moved from the talent show scene.
Donnie Darko is (to me) one of those movies ruined by the director's cut. Not only due to the music changes, but also because the "message" of the movie is made more explicit and on the nose. And reading Kelly's interviews and opinions is even worse. One of those movies where keeping the original, and the mystery, is absolutely mandatory.
I haven't seen Darko's director's cut, but am reluctant to do so just because they swapped out Echo and the Bunnymen for the opening scene, which works so well.
For Blade Runner director's cut, I had mixed feelings. The unicorn scenes and some other added footage helped. I thought getting rid of Deckard's inner thoughts VO was a mistake.
In the scene at the noodle stall, it clarified a lot of things such as the language people were speaking. The VO after the dancer's shooting was also revealing in a way that interpreting the expression on his face was not.
ilamont · · focus · HN ↗
WalterBright · · focus · HN ↗
The Blue Max, Ben Hur, the first Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Dr Zhivago, Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and, of course, Blade Runner!
ndsipa_pomu · · focus · HN ↗
account42 · · focus · HN ↗
ndsipa_pomu · · focus · HN ↗
From Wikipedia: "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen was replaced with "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS, which Kelly had not had the rights to use in the film's theatrical release.
Also: Kelly had originally wanted to use the songs "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS and "West End Girls" by the Pet Shop Boys during the opening scene of Donnie cycling home and Sparkle Motion's dance at the talent show respectively, but financial constraints meant that he instead had to use "The Killing Moon" by Echo & the Bunnymen and "Notorious" by Duran Duran. For the director's cut, Kelly was able to gain the rights to use "Never Tear Us Apart" for the opening scene, and moved "The Killing Moon" to later in the film; "Notorious" was not moved from the talent show scene.
the_af · · focus · HN ↗
ilamont · · focus · HN ↗
For Blade Runner director's cut, I had mixed feelings. The unicorn scenes and some other added footage helped. I thought getting rid of Deckard's inner thoughts VO was a mistake.
In the scene at the noodle stall, it clarified a lot of things such as the language people were speaking. The VO after the dancer's shooting was also revealing in a way that interpreting the expression on his face was not.