Big Blue, The: Director's Cut (DVD, 2000, Director's Cut; Close Captioned)

THIS MOVIE IS A CLASSIC THAT HAS BEEN RE-ISSUED. THE SOUNDTRACK HAS CHANGED AND THERE IS 40 EXTRA MINUTES OF FOOTAGE THAT TAKES YOU DEEPER INTO THE STORY. IT HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTERS BETTER AND DEFINITELY ADDS TO THE FILM! FIVE STAR FILM!!

I love everything about this movie, the actors,the interaction between the characters, the scenery, the subject matter, and i love the drea sequences, that feeling of being in a dream myself is cool. One of my true favourites.

This movie has some good points.
The scenery is very nice, for example. They do a great job of setting the tone, especially with the little greek village in the opening vignette.
However, the only thing keeping this movie in circulation is its cult status as a "must see" for freedivers. That is also the reason that this review will be panned. Freedive cultists will line up to give it a negative, just to defend their sport.
However, this is a review, not a back patting session, so I am obligated to tell it like I see it.

The script itself is patchy at best. There are some clever parts, but they are overwhelmed by the stupid parts and the boring parts. One review I read actually had the temerity to try and distinguish the "more accurate" parts, such as whether or not Enzo would have worn goggles.
This kind of nitpicking is like giving out speeding tickets at the indy 500, to steal a line from a better screenwriter.
The plot is so far removed from actual freediving, one has to question not only the writers knowledge of the sport, but also that of the fans of this movie.
The acting is generally pretty bad, running from Mayol's wooden demeanor to Rosanna's over eager presentation.
Jean Reno, of course, is far and away the best actor in this film, but few would dispute that he has done better. One pleasant surprise was the kid who played Enzo as a youth. He did a pretty good job of forshadowing the character for us.
To really enjoy this movie, you have to put aside your sense of disbelief. You have to take it at face value whatever they put in front of you, whether its Rosanna's idiot boss falling for her sicilian gambit, or an oil rig hiring Jaques and Enzo for a bell job.
You also have to overlook the obvious murder-suicide at the end. (Think about the end in real life terms, and you will see plainly that Enzo, Jaques only real competition, would have survived, if Jaques had not chased away all the doctors and took him back down.) Yeah.
I liked the original, shorter version, despite all its flaws, so I thought I would check out the extended version.
The shorter version is still better. After viewing the extra footage, it becomes clear that it was cut for a reason. True, you do get to see some naked Rosanna Arquette, and that is a fine sight indeed, but definitely not worth spoiling the rest of the movie for.
As a final yardstick of performance, I would say it is on the top of the heap of movies with the word "Blue" in the title.
So, if you are a freediver, by all means, get some version of this. Even if you don't like it, you have to be able to say that you saw it.
Likewise, if you are a fan of any of the actors in it, might be worth having. Otherwise, rent it.
If this review helped you decide whether or not to buy the movie, by all means, click the little box below to say so.
If you are a real fan of this movie, and hate me for saying bad things, by all means, click the other button.
But only if you are a wimp who has never broken a hundred feet.

I was told that this film would touch me in such a way it would become my favorite film. Though not actually my most favorite, I am so happy I watched this film. Touching and amazing story. One of my most favorite films.

Christian Calloway

Loved the movie. It is intriguing and leaves you wanting more to understand why. I guess you can say I was a little upset at the ending.
I viewed the short version and wanted to see the directors cut of the movie. All reviews I have read rave about this particular dvd.
So there it is in a nut shell.

first this was a good price to see a movie I had not seen very reasonable seller fast shipping ... movie was slow to start very laid back ....decient cast and movie picks up and has strange sub plots and bizarre ending

I BOUGHT IT B/C THE ORIGINAL VHS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND; THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER ON DVD, HOWEVER THIS VERSION IS NOTHING LIKE THE ORIGINAL VHS EDIT, WHICH I FIND MUCH WAY BETTER. I PLAN TO RESELL THE DVD ONE I BOUGHT RIGHT BACK ONTO EBAY...SUCH A LOSS AND WASTE OF MONEY.