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Alfred Hitchcock left behind a legacy that almost passed as a blueprint for future Hollywood successes – never show the monster too early ('Jaws') - make sure to cameo in your own films (enter stage left Quentin Tarantino). Hitchcock even coined the phrase 'The Maguffin' – a term used to describe a meaningless item that is there purely to drive the plot along ('Indiana Jones' would be lost without it).
However, it seems one piece of sage advice was overlooked. "The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder," he once said.
Films like 'Titanic', 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Australia' are conceived as epics. Yes, you could probably shave an hour off the running time of each if you cut out the sweeping camera shots, but then you deny cinemagoers the reason why they chose to see them. They are expected to endure a bum numbing running time because it’s an occasion, a spectacle, an experience.
Can you really say the same for films based on a comic book, theme park ride or 80s childhood toys?
'Spider-Man 3', 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' trilogy and most recently 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' are not the only guilty parties, but they are just an example of the new trend for Hollywood blockbusters – namely fun family films that are in fact bloated, self-indulgent and need as much of a trim as Russell Brand's hair-do.
These sorts of movies would have skirted close to the 90 minute mark a decade or so ago. Look at the first 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' movies – they are lean, fast paced and endlessly re-watchable. Now look at the new ones.
But it seems that we're entering an age where directors are kings again. The 80s and 90s was a time of studio power, so films were as close as possible to an hour and half to ensure that they make more profit. A 90 minute film costs the same as a 120 minute film but it gets shown fewer times in a day – meaning less money for everyone.
With the exception of Will Smith, not many of today's movie stars can 'open' a film like they used to. So, cinemagoers are latching onto a director's vision like an established brand. You know what you're getting with a Michael Bay, Steven Spielberg and Tarantino movie. But the more succesful they get, the more they believe they can put anything on the screen and audiences will buy into it.
The problem with directors getting to decide on the final cut of the movie is, who dares tell them they need to reign in their 'talents'? How did anyone attached to the new 'Transformers' film not genuinely ask 'Does this really need to be two and a half hours?' The supporting characters have their own supporting characters!
It’s not just summer action blockbusters, comedies are just as bad. Judd Apatow’s 'Knocked Up' and 'The 40 Year Old Virgin' ran close to two hours.
But with Transformers storming to the top of the box office it looks as if the bladder bursting blockbusters are here to stay. Best bring a cushion.
Are blockbusters too long, or do you think that movie prices are so expensive you want your money's worth?
-More on Y! Movies: Summer blockbusters in July | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
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I Always avoid long movies, could be better with an interval but would still prefer 90 mins
Posted by: jomarieharris on Thu Jul 02 05:50PM | Report abuseI dont get it transformers 2 is 150 minutes and the first transformers was 144 So why is everyone complaining its too long when its 8 minutes longer than the first
Posted by: adamiscool2 on Thu Jul 02 05:52PM | Report abusewent to see transformers last night, and seen as I am 27 weeks pregnant I found it really long to watch, but I was there with 3 others, who also agreed, it is better to haved a shorter film that keeps people gripped all the way through. Or an even better idea, cinemas should have working air conditioning and much more leg room!!!!n then you would not mind the long films as much!!!!
Posted by: sandi_p1975 on Thu Jul 02 05:52PM | Report abusewhy not have a pee break. pause the film just as you would at home for say ten minutes to allow those who need to go to relieve their tension.
Posted by: wrightsandra42 on Thu Jul 02 05:52PM | Report abuseI agree. Some films could easily have been trimmed and some could have been longer. There were so many important stuff in the Harry Potter films that should have been kept in but a lot of filsm could have been trimmed, such as Spiderman 3 and POTC 3. POTC 3 could have been brilliant if it had not dragged on with pointless and complicated stuff.
Posted by: ecco1983 on Thu Jul 02 05:53PM | Report abuseIf it is a good film time is not important. Your really saying the film was rubbish why would shortening it improve it.
Posted by: mark4mandy1998 on Thu Jul 02 05:54PM | Report abuseI have to agree that some movies are far to long. Transformers 2 was a prime example. It was rubbish. Pure and simple. It was all so a far to long, plus so dumbed down for simple people to be able to get it that the average human intelligence found it painfull to sit through. Epic movies should be an exception and a pleasure to endure. Transformers and other action films should keep to a fast paced 90 minutes, like a good spots match.
Posted by: pugwall69 on Thu Jul 02 05:54PM | Report abuseWell obviously films longer than 2.30 hours are too long and boring, but what really matters is the price of the film. Maybe if all the films weren't so expensive then there would be less piracy ??? Consider
Posted by: ab.plojjy on Thu Jul 02 05:54PM | Report abuseTransformers is a film for children to see, i took my little brother and he loved it. Whether you like the movie plot or the director is irrelevant. One minute people are saying the best films are long, next they aint. My opinion is it don't matter as long as it doesn't numb your mind as much as it does your arse then i dont care. And just to let you guys know I enjoyed Transformers.
Posted by: munnsie on Thu Jul 02 05:55PM | Report abusemovies now are made on a conveyer system. They lack story content and are heavily laced with special effects. If i want that entertainment ill watch Cartoons all day
Posted by: lairddon11 on Thu Jul 02 05:55PM | Report abuse