The following rant will probably piss some people off, but remember, you can always voice your OPINION also. With that in mind, though, if you are to voice it, always be sure to have sources or anything like that with your view.
This rant is about Anime and Directors Cut or Unrated versions.
Before I continue, what is the difference between a 'Directors Cut' and an Unrated version? Well an Unrated version will usually have things that would have made the movie X or NC-17 as we call it these days. While a Directors Cut will be basically what the director wanted.
What is Anime?
This is basically a cartoon that comes from Japan.
Now, with that out of the way, why must I rant about these things?
Well for one thing, there is a heated argument that I have run into with many people about anime and it being dubbed. When it is brought to America, American voice actors will dub their voice over the originals so that us illiterate Americans will not have to read the subtitles.
The argument is, when it is dubbed, words and sentences are changed so that the meaning or the fluency of the dialogue will flow better. Hardcore Anime nerds say that it is horrible and that it should not be done because it ruins the original work.
How?
Does it change the ending?
Does it change ANY events when it is being dubbed?
If not, then why does it matter?
“Oh well this is not the word that was used originally”
SO WHAT?!
Is the scene the same... is it the same concept??
Why does it matter?
Now if the story was to be completely changed, or scenes changed, then I could see why it was such a big deal. But if you like to read the subtitles, then go for it, but if you still like watching but don't really wanna read it then oh well. You shouldn't be forced to.
I do not care either way, I will read it or dub it. Sometimes if I haven't seen it before, I will watch with subtitles, but sometimes if I have, then I will have the dub on so that I can do other things and still know what is going on.
Now when this argument comes up, I am told that I will never know what they mean. Well I am here to tell you I do. I feel that Directors Cuts of movies are better... BUT not always. For example: Halloween 2, the remake, in theaters SUCKED! But on the director cut, it was a completely different movie. The first remake, so much better. It was, in fact, that if you had not seen the directors cut of the first, you would not have gotten the second.
It is all on opinion and perspective and taste. Just like with everything, some people like certain food while others do not; some people like scary movies, and others do not; some people like the directors version, some do not. Some people do not like subtitles, others do.
This rant is not to bash on anime, I happen to enjoy some; it is more so that anyone who thinks that the only way to enjoy it is to watch the original Japanese subtitled, that is your opinion; or anyone who thinks that the directors cut of, say, Death Proof is worse the then theatrical; that is your opinion.
Just a side note, Unrated Versions (since I mentioned them above but never elaborated on them) are just a way to convince you to buy the movie more. Sometimes there are better things added, sometimes only 15 Sec are added in. but the good side is that the special features are better.
