I usually prefer directors cut versions, but not in this case. The ending of Straight Up is too messy, unrefined, too generic. Porter just goes from scene to scene shooting people in different ways and it's just not as strong as the original released version.
I'm a big fan of Payback - the original theatrical release, but not this version.
I'm not surprised the director was fired over this. While he did a great job with the first half of the movie, and the overall style, he didn't have a strong ending.
It's just the final scenes of Straight Up are too "normal" and generic. Overly conspicuous bad guys sitting in parked cars, train platforms, Porter walking around shooting people too easily... all handled like a million other films. It's just a weak ending to an otherwise great film.
I'm one usually to defend the director and oppose studio interference in the creative process. The studio often messes with films and makes them worse. In this case however, the changes made were needed, and actually are very good in the theatrical release. Kidnapping the boss's kid, blowing up the apartment etc, that was a good ending with a nice twist element.
I did prefer the lack of narration in this version, and I preferred the opening scene of Porter walking around the city cheating people out of money etc. but that's all. It's good to see the alternate ending. I was hoping it would be better than the theatrical release, but in my opinion it's not better.
I'm a big fan of Payback - the original theatrical release, but not this version.
I'm not surprised the director was fired over this. While he did a great job with the first half of the movie, and the overall style, he didn't have a strong ending.
It's just the final scenes of Straight Up are too "normal" and generic. Overly conspicuous bad guys sitting in parked cars, train platforms, Porter walking around shooting people too easily... all handled like a million other films. It's just a weak ending to an otherwise great film.
I'm one usually to defend the director and oppose studio interference in the creative process. The studio often messes with films and makes them worse. In this case however, the changes made were needed, and actually are very good in the theatrical release. Kidnapping the boss's kid, blowing up the apartment etc, that was a good ending with a nice twist element.
I did prefer the lack of narration in this version, and I preferred the opening scene of Porter walking around the city cheating people out of money etc. but that's all. It's good to see the alternate ending. I was hoping it would be better than the theatrical release, but in my opinion it's not better.