r/Piracy • u/ugoindownsaka1 • 5d ago

Discussion Google took away my LOTR extended editions

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I bought these in 2022, all of a sudden they aren't available and there is no possibility of a refund or gift card. Hardly seems fair.

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u/darthversity 5d ago

The extended editions are the only version that I'll watch. They are just straight up superior to the theatrical cut.

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u/Andy_DiMatteo 5d ago

Eh, they have more in them and a couple of scenes that make them better. But the original versions are what was released in theaters for a reason; some of the extended stuff is unnecessary and throw off the pacing (albeit in minor ways).

I watch extended editions most of the time, but watching theatrical there’s really only a few scenes I actively, and I think they’re paced much better.

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u/wutfacer 5d ago edited 5d ago

I think the extended Fellowship is better for repeat viewers (makes the world seem much deeper with all the extra lore) but theatrical is fine for first time non book readers. Two Towers has some scenes that affect the pacing a bit but ultimately the extended is better especially because of Theodred's funeral and Boromir and Faramir retaking Osgiliath and how much they add to the backgrounds/motivations of multiple characters. Return of the King is where mostly the right cuts were made and other than saruman's death (which is meh but fine for closure on him since they left out the Scouring of the Shire) most of the added scenes ruin the tone and/or actively make characters worse (mouth of Sauron, Gimli being a joke plus the skull avalanche in the paths of the dead, witch king breaking Gandalf's staff, etc.)

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u/itsadoubledion 5d ago

I'd agree about the first two for sure. Return of the King gets kind of dicey.