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Man given refund over missing Jack Reacher explosion

New Zealand man is recompensed after an explosion in the trailer failed to make the final cut

A cinema-goer in New Zealand is to be given a refund after complaining that new Tom Cruise film 'Jack Reacher' did not feature an explosion that was shown in the trailer.

J Congdon made his complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority in New Zealand in a letter detailing his dissatisfaction.

[Related story: The silliest movie complaints sent to the BBFC]
[Related story: Daniel Radcliffe's The Woman In Black the most complained-about film of 2012]



“The explosion where the whole cliff comes down was the defining part of the ad that made me really want to go see the movie... aside from having Tom Cruise in it,” he wrote.

Now Paramount, the studio behind the blockbuster, is to give him his money back by way of an apology.

But they have said that such edits often happen 'weeks or months' ahead of the film being trailed and then released.

“Despite our best intentions, it is always possible that certain scenes appearing in an advertisement or trailer may not appear in the final version of a film,” read a statement to the watchdog.

“The explosion in question was a single split-second element omitted from a 130-minute long action film.”

Film fans often leave the screen unimpressed by what they've seen, many seeking recompense for their disappointment.

In 2011, a Michigan woman sued the makers of 'Drive', claiming that she was misled, believing the film to be more in line with the likes of the 'Fast and Furious' series.

In her suit, filed to the sixth judicial circuit court in Oakland, she said that the Ryan Gosling-fronted thriller 'bore very little similarity to a chase, or race action film... having very little driving in the motion picture'. She also claimed that the film was anti-semitic.



Her only demand in the suit was that she be refunded the cost of the ticket, which the Emagine cinema in Novi, Michigan, said it was happy to do.

The following year, a spokesperson for the Odeon in the Liverpool One complex confirmed that 'a small number' of refunds had been given to customers who did not realise that the Oscar-winning film 'The Artist' was both silent and in black and white.

Such dissatisfaction has even extended to the actual stars of the films.

Tom Hanks compensated a couple to the tune of $25 (about 16 quid) at a petrol station near his home in California, when they told him 'Larry Crowne' 'wasn't that good' after having recently seen it at the cinema.

“Gee, I'm sorry you were disappointed, how about letting me refund your ticket money,” he is reported to have said before handing over the cash.

But in the UK, rather than the actors themselves, it's the film classification regulatory body the BBFC which bears the brunt of most complaints from cinema-goers, despite not being in a position to do much about them.

Two members of an audience watching Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' wrote to them to voice their displeasure at seeing female genitalia during the film. It was eventually discovered to be merely an 'unfortunately shaped' shadow on a thigh.

Others complained to the BBFC that they didn't like Daniel Craig as the new James Bond in 'Casino Royale', demanded the reinstatement of Sean Connery and added that the 'two females were the worst, most unattractive side-kicks' they had ever seen in a Bond film.

Some complaints, however, are not heeded, and in the case of a cinema in Stamford, Connecticut, preempted.

While screening Terrence Malick's contemplative 'The Tree of Life', The Avon cinema posted the following sign in its ticket window:

“Dear Patrons,

“In response to some customer feedback and a polarized audience response from last weekend, we would like to take this opportunity to remind patrons that The Tree of Life is a uniquely visionary and deeply philosophical film from an auteur director.

“It does not follow a traditional, linear narrative approach to storytelling. We encourage patrons to read up on the film before choosing to see it, and for those electing to attend, please go in with an open mind and know that the Avon has a NO-REFUND policy once you have purchased a ticket to see one of our films.

“The Avon stands behind this ambitious work of art and other challenging films, which define us as a true art house cinema, and we hope you will expand your horizons with us.

“Thank you.”