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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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It does not really matter if the movie(s) are long or not as long as they are enjoyable to watch.
Posted by: micheal.new on Thu Jul 02 05:59PM | Report abuseI've always thought they should bring back intervals like in the old cinemas. That way the film could be 2 and a half hours long for instance, and people would wait for the interval to go to the toilet, instead of distracting other people by getting up in the middle of the film. Also, people could buy snacks and drinks in the interval, and you would hear less people crunching there way though the whole film. Also, people can rest their eyes for 20 mins! (After all, it is not good for your eyes to watch a film in the dark for that long apprently.) Bringing back the 'interval' really is the best way forward, especially if they are going to be making longer films. To be honest, I don't know why they ever got rid of intervals in the first place.
Posted by: katrinapapauk on Thu Jul 02 05:59PM | Report abuseI think they should have long films, but with like 10 minute breaks every so often, so you can enjoy the film without missing it for the toliet or a stretch.
Posted by: pink_pixxie33 on Thu Jul 02 06:00PM | Report abuseIf they want to make a long film they should include an 'interval' for the comfort of the audience.
Posted by: naharaht on Thu Jul 02 06:02PM | Report abuseI think what you wrote was too long you could have made your point in about two sentences.
Posted by: johnos07 on Thu Jul 02 06:03PM | Report abuseI loved transformers and could have kept watching it. You also get more for your money too. There are some long movies though that i hate such as Sex and the City and King Kong and can't wait for them to finish.
Posted by: luciwrxm03 on Thu Jul 02 06:05PM | Report abuseYes! now days the movies are just too long that at the end, you get bored!!!!!
Posted by: bekky612 on Thu Jul 02 06:05PM | Report abuseSome of my favourite movies are that long. However, I do agree that some films are just too long. Even with some of my favourites, I think about watching them and then decide not to as it would actually just take too long... Which is a pity.. Perhaps it should be done in such a way that all films unless they actually NEED the time, really need it, they must shorten. The directors can then release director's cut editions and make the film as long as they want. At home, you can pause it, go to the loo, walk off the pins and needles. All in all though, we shouldn't really have to do that. It sounds like watching a film is more of a chore...
Posted by: sarah.crossan on Thu Jul 02 06:05PM | Report abuseperhaps they coud bring back intervals to give people time to pop to the loo andd stretcht their legs 5-10 minutes wouldnt definatley help i hat sitting there knowing i need the loo but afraid to leave in case i miss something
Posted by: fcass1 on Thu Jul 02 06:07PM | Report abuseThe last movie in the Lord of the Rings series is a great example. When that funny little Yoda like guy was climbing up the mountain with the Hobbit, trying to steal the ring all the time, just went on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on, I screamed and walked out
Posted by: trouble_906 on Thu Jul 02 06:07PM | Report abuse