So, another project - another adventure. First thing’s first;

Summary

I love and adore Peter Jackson’s King Kong. It’s great. It’s suspenseful. It has great moments of danger and even horror. It’s a great film, but not by any strech a masterpiece. What holds it down?

In the DVD of the official movie there are about 15 deleted scenes (these are not featured in the official “Extended Cut”), and all those scenes have great character development. Peter Jackson argues in his introduction of the deleted scenes that they were cut for pacing and because “the important thing is to get to the island”.

My Ideas and Thoughts

I think Peter Jackson’s arguement for pacing and why he deleted so much is a bad one at best, taking into account all the unecessary scenes kept in the theatrical cut that does not focus on the characters. Apart from Ann, Jack, Kong and Denham, all the other characters are food and fodder. Empty space with a few lines of dialogue. Faces to fill the screen and raise a false stake never felt since the beginning or before the end.

And the second problem is that the pacing just feels off. On the ship we jump in-between comedy, drama and unecessary screen time to random characters we never grow to care about way too much. I hardly know what to feel half of the time.

And then there’s the third problem I have to fix, which a techincal one; all the deleted scenes are in stereo, and in a 480p/trying to be 720p format. So when you take my high bitrate 1080p (which is superior to the 4k, but that’s another discussion) and put the deleted scenes next to it it’s like jumping into a distorted video file from the 60’s that wasn’t upscaled properly.

Solutions

So, I’m upscaling each and every deleted scene (my computer has been sounding like a jetplane for the last 10 hours) to get the scenes into something resembling 720p-1080p, with the greatest focus on the character’s faces. This is after all every deleted scenes’ focal point. I am also creating new ambience and 5.1 surround sound for the scenes, as they only have a stereo input. I am also having to clean and remove some of the stereo to only keep the dialogue, as there is either too much noise or too much music that doesn’t fit the tone or previous scene.

Then, there’s the already overlong and bloated opening of the film. I’ve toned down all the unecessary backstories, keeping in tight on Ann and Denham, and when we get to the ship we depart rather quickly as Ann boards it. Jack trying to escape and all that is gone. Jack and Ann kissing in the first act rather than the last is fixed. Keep their relationship growing rather than reach a climax before the film gets going.

The new scenes and what they add

So, the characters of Heyes, The captain, Denham, Jack and Ann are all developed rather neatly with the footage available. I will recommend everyone YouTube-ing “King Kong 2005 deleted scenes” to see the amount of worthy content I’m actually talking about here.

However, some of the deleted scenes are heavily edited as they either go on to long or undermine something from the film/original cut. My focal point when I edit and add these deleted scenes are emotion and character growth.

What other changes are there?

With the Extended Cut as basis and a huge amount of deleted scenes at my disposal the film will focus more on the heart and the story rather than all the spectacle. I want the worldbuilding to be even better than the beauty it is in the original film, and I don’t want huge CGI battles around every corner. Some of the Extended Scenes are used to build suspense rather than build up to a battle (like the anaconda/water monster in the Extended Cut).

Changelist ?

No. Like always, I’m not a fan of changelists. I want people to discover this edit as a new and different way to watch Peter Jackson’s great adventure.

Release?

Hopefully christmas time.

Light00 said:

Given PoA is my favorite HP movie, I REALLY love how the new GoF has been improved, it really scratches that Cuaron itch that the official cut (understandably) lacks. Are there plans for subtitles files? I kinda want to take a shot to make Italian ones for this project. Can’t wait for OOTP and beyond.

You are most kind, friend. ❤️ For the fans, by a fan

Thank you for that very kind review, rext. Greatly appreciated, and honored. ❤️

@MoviesGamesMusic: I hope, but I’m doubtful. Film X is a editing nightmare, especially the Bran resolution for the “Dark Ending”.

CamSMurph said:

I’m loving these new ideas! If we’re gonna get as much story as we can out of the films, then why not turn to external sources? 😄

True. But it has to feel organic, important and complimentary to the original film - or it will come across as cheap and fanedit-y. I’ll see What I can do when i come to HBP.

But Im happy the OotP flashback with Neville serves a purpose and works.

CamSMurph said:

I’m loving these new ideas! If we’re gonna get as much story as we can out of the films, then why not turn to external sources? 😄

True. But it has to feel organic, important and complimentary to the original film - or it will come across as cheap and fanedit-y. I’ll see What I can do when i come to HBP.

But Im happy the OotP flashback with Neville serves a purpose and works.

DarthMarv said:

I’ve watched all 4 of your HP edits Anjohan and I had to sing my praises on here. Fantastic work! The new visual effects I noticed in HP1 & 2 and colour grading are bloody brilliant. It’s been years since I’ve seen the movie so any changes to musical scores and cuts you made I didn’t even notice (and I mean that as a good thing- it was seamless).
Oh and great work on building a real mystery with HPGoF, it actually felt like a mystery trying to figure out who was responsible rather than it dangling obvious ticks that gave away the reveal.
Hyped to see the rest of your edits.

Thank you so much for your review, and kind words. Greatly appreciated, and fuel for upcoming edits!

I might do a Gaunt flashback in HBP with a few quick shots from Voldemort: Origins, since the production is of so high-quality. But! And there is a but! If it looks fanedit-y and breaks with the immersion, I can’t use it. It all depends on how I can mix it in.

The immediate thought of the flashback structuring is something like: quick successive shots of Slytherin emblem on door in forest, the Gaunts faces close-ups, Voldemort’s mother in pain, a birth scene, some quick shots of a love potion, and then Dumbledore at the Orphanage and we follow the scene as presented in the film.

It would all have to be packaged like the transitions in HbP (and my GoF edit) with the smoke transitions.

I might also try and deepfake CoS Tom Riddle onto HbP Tom, but this would be problematic due to different facial structures as well as camera angles. An idea could be to crop his face out of shots, or leave his face obscured due to the lack of detail in Dumbledore’s memories (like his face is almost missing).

Update

So, for OotP not many fundemental changes are to occur. It will be mainly be musical alterations for a balance in tone and continuity, as well as some removal of repedative Umbridge music except for two scenes (rather than six!).

The narrative will stay the same and be unaltered, although I’ve done a reshape of the opening. It’s darker and opens with the previous events of Cedric’s death and Harry’s PTSD, followed by a alightly prolonged Dementor sequence to build suspense (I think the opening is good, but I always felt it rushed by to quickly and lacked enough suspense and dread for the dementors and their reveal - the scene goes from storm occuring to dementor reveal in about 20 seconds).

Another change I’ve been unsure about is a flashback for Neville’s scene with Harry. I always felt his parents subplot was ignored and emotionless in the films. Luckily, there is a brilliant fanfilm with a brilliant Bellatrix out there; and so I thought to use as little as possible from that to mix together what could be a heartfelt and disturbing flashback that would add some weight and emotion to Neville’s forgotten storyline. I also want Harry and Neville’s bond to feel stronger through this event.

So, does this work?

https://streamable.com/fhmay4

It’s important to not go into uncanny vally in terms of “oh, this is obviously a fanedit”.

I used to think your edits distancing themselves from all of the other SW trilogies was a mistake, Adywan.

But with age and wisdom, it is probably the smartest move you ever did for your edits. There is no reason to attach inferior products to a superior one. Can’t wait for ROTJ:R!

So there never really came a reason to watch the show I see. I guess I’ll watch them through my favorite reactors on YouTube somewhere down the line - as long as the “highlights” in such a format doesn’t bore me to death. I can at least get a sense of what the story was before we watch whatever shit film they have planned down the line that will be bombared with memberberries, a tame story and paperthin characters.

We wish Disney a speedy recovery!

honestabe said:

Thank you for making these edits Andreas. I hope you find fulfillment and happiness making these while having a good and lengthy life. (I read about your prior health issues).

I will look to watch these as soon as possible with hopefully other people to enjoy as well. I loved the first 2 revisited Harry Potter movies. I had a slight disagreement removing the opening dream sequence, but I understand you want these to be friendly for all ages.

Thank you, my friend, for those kind words. ❤️ I hope you (and friends) enjoy them, and please leave a review if you so do. Always neat to read about what a group of people thought.

And i wish you a happy, healthy and a long life as well! Never forget to give your body and soul what it needs! ❤️

CamSMurph said:

Wait a minute! I didn’t know Andreas was sick!

Healthy now! (except for the bloody flu! xD) This was ten years ago. ❤️

Jimmy Chips said:

Love the new edits!

Cheers, jimmy! Always happy to hear from you!

Prisoner of Azkaban & Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions are DONE and released within their respective folder.

Enjoy ❤️

Special Thanks to:

• Chloe, for excellent suggestions
• CamSMurph, for excellent feedback and beta viewing both edits.

CamSMurph said:

A few words on the Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire Ultimate Editions

Both outstanding from beginning to end! The new intro in PoA should give you an idea on what to expect. As PoA is rightfully considered the best in the series, little has been altered, save for a few nitpicks.

The new colour grade helps bring back the warmth of the first two movies, and as the story gets darker, so do the colours. What a way to compliment the mature storytelling!

Cuts are seamless throughout, and in keeping with musical continuity, Andreas brings back John Williams’ classic themes from Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. PoA is Williams’ final contribution to the Harry Potter series and it really is a shame that his themes weren’t brought over from this point onward. God bless Andreas for remedying this in the best way possible!

Also, keep your eye out for a few clever cameos. 😉

GoF is just as good, if not better. Dark and difficult times lie ahead, indeed. Andreas has put together a much scarier affair than the theatrical version. This is particularly evident in the graveyard. The changes to Voldemort, in particular, are really something else. I won’t elaborate as I feel this should be viewed as blindly as possible.

The restructuring here is something no other GoF edit has done. It actually improves the story incredibly well to have the Yule Ball take place after the Second Task. That way, the Second and Third Tasks don’t feel like they take place mere weeks apart.

This is also the first of the Ultimate Editions to make use of select deleted scenes, all of which have been cropped and upscaled to fit the IMAX format Andreas has prepped for these new editions. The additional scenes in question add some important plot details and character moments which, I daresay, shouldn’t have been left out. This truly feels like a more complete experience!

The new sound mix in both edits is nothing short of impeccable. The SFX and ambience in certain scenes makes the environment feel more… magical. That’s all I will say on the matter.

While I can certainly point out a few things that need improving, I think I speak for everyone when I say, Andreas doesn’t disappoint! Thank you, good sir, for keeping the magic alive. And extra special thanks to Chloe of Fanedit.org for helping him through this! Well bloody done to both of you! 👏

Can’t wait for Order of the Phoenix through Deathly Hallows!

You are most kind, my friend, and thank you for your excellent feedback, suggestions and kind heart during this and every process of any of my HP edits that have taken place. You are an asset to this community, and as a person!

Also, my heart is broken over Michael Gambon. Rest in peace, our beloved friend, teacher and Professor Dumbledore. ❤️

Remember to OWN THE ORIGINAL FILMS/SERIES BEFORE downloading any of my fanedits. I can’t state this enough.

My Google Drive is now open again, on request by PM only.

^ about everything said.

I’d remove the line as to keep the unintentional laugh-out-loud moment rather be kept in the trashbin.

Why have Poe say “They call themselves The Final Order” at all? It’s not only cringe, but totally unecessary. I have only watched this film twice - half-asleep, so i might be missing something, but it comes across as totally irrelevant.

It could just be removed or replaced with new, important AI dialogue.

I’m gonna give this a try. I can’t bother to watch Andor or Ahsoka in its series format. Disney has made me allergic to filler in their content.

Please send me a PM and i’ll also leave a short review.

Watched a Youtube clip of Hayden’s flashback. Was kind of cool, but it gave me a “too little, too late” type feeling. Like, most of the general Star Wars fandom/audience (read: not the super geeky fraction of the audience) have no knowledge of Anakin and Ahsoka.

Why didn’t they do the Clone Wars era with Hayden and Ewan in the Obi-Wan Kenobi show? It’s like; it’s a brilliant f*in idea, but Disney always seem to do the right thing at the wrong time. The audience was THERE for The Obi-Wan Kenobi show. But it was the third major SW flop in under 5 years and now most people are gone.

I’m not going to waste my time watching this show yet, since it seems to be dull as a turd and relies on your prior knowledge (never watched anything of the animation stuff), but I can’t help but shake this feeling that using Hayden/Anakin and Luke now; after having failed to use them when it really mattered (during and after The Sequel Trilogy hatred), it all just feels so… cheap. Irrelevant. Sidestory content. Late.

Instead of creating a Luke Skywalker or Anakin “Clone Wars” show/movie, something that the people would really like and would bother giving a chance to restore their love for the property, they always seem to “miss the mark” with their new shows and films.

They should stop/pause the process of making irrelevant live-action content, and just make something that will bring the fanbase back into the now-dying universe of Star Wars! Make a Luke Skywalker film. Make a live-action Clone Wars film. Do SOMETHING that will actually be relevant to the general audience instead of the minority of it?

The audience need an apology and a reason to come back to the universe. This stuff really isn’t the answer.

Nobody and my aunt gives a toss about Ahsoka, the animated shows, the books and all that side-story content when the “main story” is what hooked us, and also what ultimately let us down.

Talk to anyone about Star Wars, and they will all talk about how The Sequel Trilogy failed Luke, Han and Leia, how the Obi-Wan kenobi show was shit and how The Mandalorian was fun 3 years ago…

Disney’s main struggle as of now is not the writing process or the direction. It is actually the ability to READ THE ROOM. It seems like they now have the pen at paper at the correct spot - but their timing is too late, and their execution still a tad too dull.

Cheers lads ❤️👍🏻

Luke Skywalker would have a fruitful and working Jedi Academy, and the galaxy would mostly be at peace.

Luke would have a kick-ass opening scene, with the force being used to move immense objects and remove enemies at ease - leaving the audience at awe from when we first saw him. Now our hero is not just that; he’s also the most powerful being in the galaxy.

He would have a follow-up scene with Han and Leia, at his academy and upon his return, with a funny but also heartfelt conversation. They have been visiting Luke (and their son, Ben) for years and watched the Academy and their son thrive. They are happily married and run some sort of business together, whatever it may be.

Then, after some great character development and also introduction of new and likeable characters, we would be introduced to rumours of a black hole in the galaxy; giant ships having been seen flying in and out. Ships not of the modern age.

The black hole is revealed to be some sort of timelapse portal to The Old Republic era, with the Dark Lord of the Sith having created this dark hole with all their might and power to sometime return if the power of the Sith is threatened (be it by their extinction).

This is the sole conflict, and the first film would end with The Dark Sith Lord (Revan? Malek? Someone new?) turning Ben into his apprentice, killing Han and Chewbacca to raise the stakes and leaving Luke with a facial expression in a close-up that can only mean one thing; his father’s anger is still in his veins, and what will Luke do with this power and conflict as he will surely avenge his fallen friend’s legacy and try to save his nephew Ben from The Dark Side?

Rors said:

Are you still doing the edit?

Yes and no. The project will be developed when (or if) I get back into Star Wars. Not feeling it as of late.

Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition is almost at full completion. Voldemort’s red eyes will be an updated version in the near future. The rotoscoping work is beyond difficult, with the scenes darker than night itself, and I don’t deem the change fundemental enough in importance to stall the edit with several more months.

Releasing soon, along with Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition.

I’m not going to watch a single episode before someone in here, who despise Disney Star Wars as much as me, give it tremendous amount of praise. I’m eagerly awaiting, and hopeful!

Is that really you Jay? Smells like Kathleen Kennedy mischief to me!

Thank you for your review. It made me chuckle. A 6/10 for this fanedit, with the content of the show as source, is probably the greatest compliment I’ve received for weeks. I’ll try to reach the 7/10 when I revisit the edit again.

I’ll definitely take your gripes about the ending into account when I revisit the film (there will be a subtitle-free version as well, but not before I’m 100% satisfied with the film). A lot of people requested subtitles for this edit and hardcoding them in saved me a lot of time. They’ll be gone for a newer version.

I’m actually considering ending the film when Galadriel reach the Queen’s camp at the end of the film, and then do a close-up of Mordor with some sinister music… I think that might be the perfect spot to end it, for a less cluddered ending. And then open Film II with the ending (but improved) that I put together here. We’ll see I guess. I’m still in need of a break from this one. It fried my brain.

JEDIT: Oh, and if you (and your) friends want and are into watching seperate editions, I recommend Vranir’s. He just finished a workprint (I have yet to see it, but there is no doubt about his abilities).