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Comparison between the cut US version and the original version (both included on 88 Films' UK 4K UHD). - 79 differences
Fortunately, this US version is now only a historical eyesore. In 2021, a Blu-ray was released in America with the original version as the restored main feature and the U.S. version archived as a Open Matte bonus feature. Since August 29, 2022, the worldwide 4K UHD premiere has even been available in the UK. Here, too, the original version in 4K with HDR is the main feature and the US version was added as an HD version. On the UK release the US cut also comes with the original aspect ratio. What can not be documented further in the cut report, but has a significant impact on the atmosphere of the US version: The film has been given a new (cheap) techno soundtrack. Similar to many Asian films with horrible Hip Hop infliction, this should probably create a contemporary and more upbeat vibe for the US audience - and consequently often the world market. But here as there, it doesn't fit too well. At least one can attest that the rather restrained score of the original version actually seems a bit lame here and there, especially in direct comparison. When it comes to the cuts, the first thing that can be pointed out is a lot of changes mainly for trimming reasons and, as expected, a large part of it is hardly noticeable without explicit knowledge. Especially the baddies Vic and Hedgehog are allowed to say and discuss more random things in several scenes. Apart from that, it is noticeable that Toby's past with Michelle has been consequently left out of the film. There is also hardly anything left of Malik's problematic relationship. Everything that is just "ballast" besides the action has been deliberately reduced. Last but not least, it is rather disappointing for viewers of the US cut that a few violent bits have been removed and action scenes in general have not been spared from cuts. For example, US viewers are not shown how Hedgehog is also shot by Malik or how the bartender is gunned down at the beginning towards the end of the scene. It's hard to say how much of this is intentional censorship or simply done for trimming reasons as well, but such cuts in particular remain annoying. In any case, the original version is clearly preferable.
Note: The two 88 Films versions start with exactly the same logos. On the US Blu-ray from MVD, 21.5 sec of logos were missing at the beginning and these 21 sec would have to be subtracted accordingly for all running time details in order to have the matching timecodes of the MVD Blu-ray.
By way of introduction, here are two comparison images from the versions of the US Blu-ray from MVD released in 2021. Here, the US version was available in 1.78:1 Open Matte and was somewhat blue-greenish in color.
The 88 Films Blu-ray has the US version in the correct 2.35:1 format. As mentioned, this version was used for the rest of the report. In addition, the original version is available in 4K. As usual, slight color differences to the correct picture quality on the TV have to be taken into account due to our HDR->SDR conversion on the screenshots.
Immediately above the first credits, a significantly different soundtrack is noticeable. In the US it feels more dynamic. 02:13 / 02:13-02:53 Toby kneels behind the pallet for much longer. He pulls out his cell phone and looks at a short sentimental message from Michelle. She misses him on his birthday and doesn't want to wait another three months. Toby comments that his trip would soon be over. 40.5 sec
02:46 / 03:26-03:27 The wire rope is coiled insignificantly longer. 0.6 sec 03:08 / 03:49-03:50 The baddies are seen a moment earlier. 1 sec 03:25 / 04:07-04:09 Before you see Toby at the box, the baddies run away a little longer. 1.7 sec 03:35 / 04:19-04:22 The baddies come down the stairs a little early. 2.6 sec
05:54 / 06:41-07:03 The bartender asks Malik why he wastes so much time writing love songs that no one wants to hear - especially not the women who left him. Malik sarcastically thanks his "doctor". 22.6 sec
07:45 / 08:54-09:00 The baddies still shoot the bartender and Malik looks shocked. 5.9 sec
10:11 / 11:26-11:28 You can see Vic whimpering on the ground again. 2.5 sec
10:13 / 11:30-11:32 The closer shot of him also starts a little earlier.... 2.3 sec 10:16 / 11:35 ...and is a bit longer as well. 0.6 sec 10:51 / 12:10-12:11 Before the car comes to a stop, Toby is seen for a moment longer. 0.5 sec 11:39 / 12:59-13:04 In response to Toby's criticism of smoking, Malik says that he might die of a gunshot wound anyway. 5.5 sec
12:53 / 14:18-15:30 An exterior shot of the bus and then first scenes on the TV. Vic and Hedgehog talk critically about the program. Vic, however, thinks it's good that you would still see real criminals here. While Hedgehog switches to Walter the Frog, Vic complains about having to keep the boss Mr. Lau informed by phone. 71.5 sec (= 1:11 min)
12:59 / 15:36-15:38 After the rest of the frog scene, you see Vic again. 1.5 sec
13:42 / 16:21-16:22 Vic can be seen a little earlier. 0.9 sec 14:54 / 17:34-17:38 On Toby's warning (at the traffic control) not to do anything stupid, Malik thinks that it would be already 6 years too late for that. 4 sec
15:42 / 18:27-18:31 Two more reaction shots of the cops before Malik gets his papers back. 4.6 sec
16:58 / 19:46-19:49 A little trimming on the car ride. Malik's "I thought we were going to the police station" was placed over the surrounding shots. 2.9 sec 17:00 / 19:51-19:55 The car ride is also a bit longer and Malik asks: "Hello?" 3.9 sec
This scene, by the way, is also a nice example of how the US version unnecessarily added extra tootling over the soundtrack. 19:18 / 22:13-22:27 Vic scoffs at whether Toby and Malik have become friends - as it often happens in hostage situations. Malik wants to bring the topic back to the videos and Vic cuts him off. 13.9 sec
20:16 / 23:25-23:28 A first shot of Hedgehog and another close-up of Toby and Malik giving knee kicks. 3 sec
23:12 / 26:24-27:04 Another baddie runs around and is disarmed by Toby. Then Vic comes up the stairs and is knocked out with a water hose. On the ground he grabs his gun, fires a few shots at the two and gets up again. 39.7 sec
23:54 / 27:46-27:57 Toby and Malik still startle and realize that water would do quite well for their hot hands. Accordingly satisfied, they react to the cooling in a container. 11.4 sec
28:21 / 32:25-33:13 Toby and Malik enter the apartment earlier and wonder about the decor. Toby holds up a family photo and jokes regarding the other man at Carolyn's side that Malik has changed quite a bit. 48.2 sec
29:47 / 34:39-34:48 Carolyn and Malik discuss the "cheeseburger" insult a little longer. 9.7 sec
30:11 / 35:12-35:14 Malik groans a little earlier. 1.7 sec 30:52 / 35:55-36:04 The camera moves from higher up to the left and down at the beginning of the shot. 8.9 sec
31:03 / 36:15-36:45 Malik and Toby talk earlier/more extensively about the relationship with Carolyn. Toby wants to know how long they have been divorced and Malik admits that they have always put off taking that step. Toby says that she would still love him. 30.2 sec
32:02 / 37:44-37:52 Toby walks away longer. The follow-up shot of Malik in the car also starts insignificantly earlier. 7.7 sec
32:39 / 38:28-38:42 A long first shot from the ticket booth. Toby gets in line. 13.8 sec
As another striking soundtrack change, it should be mentioned that the rocking song during Toby's escape in the 33rd/39th minute did not appear in the original. 34:28 / 40:31-40:47 Our duo drives around a little longer, grooving to the music. 15.8 sec
35:00 / 41:19-41:25 Mr. Lau can be seen earlier from behind; "Isn't travelling wonderful now that the Orient Express is operational?" 6.1 sec
37:48 / 44:13-44:52 Toby turns to the side, annoyed, and Malik talks to him about the implant in Toby's body. Toby explains a bit about how this has improved his abilities - and that the clients were only interested in creating the perfect assassin. 38.5 sec
41:46 / 48:50-49:10 Hedgehog and Vic are seen earlier in the parking lot. Vic criticizes Hedgehog's fast food consumption because he has to suffer from the resulting flatulence in the car. 19.6 sec
42:46 / 50:10-50:31 Malik still finds Toby's cell phone in the car and looks at Michelle's birthday message with amusement. 21.6 sec
45:08 / 52:53-54:15 Deliverance flirts with Malik for way longer and expresses skepticism about the two's car, which is riddled with bullet holes. She makes another face and Malik sends her away. She should rather talk to Toby about it. 82.5 sec (= 1:22 min)
46:06 / 55:13-55:19 A few cars drive up. 5.8 sec
47:01 / 56:14-56:25 Vic wreaks a little more havoc in the room at the beginning of the shot. 10.4 sec
48:10 / 57:33-57:36 The beginning of a shot is missing, with a gun being driven up to the masked baddie. 2.4 sec
48:44 / 58:10-58:20 The baddies go to the door and Vic sets the explosive device - the close-up of which is included again. 10.3 sec
48:58 / 58:34-58:36 The baddies are heading for the door a little earlier again. 1.3 sec 49:12 / 58:50-58:54 Vic signals to his men and they move toward the door. 4.8 sec
49:19 / 59:01-59:07 More skirmishing at the door again. 5.9 sec
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