Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: The Red Apple Cut

Straight out of the gate, I want to say that this will replace my store-bought version as the go-to copy of OUaTiH. The additional scenes add depth, character, immersion, and more of the same: actors really good at spinning Tarantino's too cool to be real lines into palatable, enjoyable content. I highly recommend it. So, this review from here on out is going to be nothing but griping that really doesn't detract at all from my point: this version is great.

Most of the additional scenes are extensions and seamlessly integrate, with two notable exceptions:

First, all of the Red Apple commercial takes are now part of the prologue. I guess there was nowhere else to put them, and they bookend the film. I like them, I don't mind that they're kind of detached and not really part of the narrative. Is there a way to make them part? Maybe? Crop them? Add television filters? Make it seem as if a channel is being switched between clips? I don't know if any of that is necessary.

The second notable exception is during Dalton's western shoot. There's some new footage (the cinematic version of the western set, v.s. the flimsy, Hollywood backdrop) where suddenly a character that had been sauntering right, is coming is now riding in from the opposite side of the screen, and it's a jarring reversal. We're now in the film v.s. watching the film being made, and I think a camera trick-transition, some kind of footage cut, or cigarette burn, would probably sell this just fine since Tarantino uses that kinda stuff plenty. But since there's nothing, it's just a cut that doesn't work quite well. I'd timestamp it, but honestly I'm nitpicking. It wasn't that big of a deal.

And, honestly, the movie could do with an intermission sequence now, ala It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Layer in some radio audio or...just don't do any of that all. Why am I making suggestions for a version 2? Sorry.

Anyway, I really dug it. It adds texture, it's really well put together. Thank you very much.

More like "Once Upon a Great Time Watching More of this Excellent Movie," am I right?

Granted, these extended bits are superfluous to an extreme degree, so adding them isn't necessarily improving the movie. Arguably the film needs a trim to begin with, cutting down some of the extended moments of the movies and TV shows within the movie. THAT SAID, part of the fun of the movie is that it doesn't really care that much about plot, and these diversions are a lot of fun in their own right. The Red Apple Cut offers even more diversions, which mathematically means it's actually more fun.

Is this one of those extended cuts that makes the movie better? No. Is it one that makes me somehow like it more? Maybe.

I loved the original and this gave me more of it, simply done. Very well edited, some cuts were visible but this has never bothered me. I'm just amazed how many scenes were able to be added! Definitely my go-to version.

This is the first time leaving a review for a fan edit, actually still kind of new to this and have only watched these before with a friend.
This is just a great watch, not really sure what to say beyond that. The original movie was perfect (imo) anyways, and this just feels like "more" without detracting from it or breaking the flow. I don't really have an eye for details but I personally didn't really notice anything immersion breaking, it really just felt like I was watching an official directors or extended cut.
You're going to rewatch the movie anyways, may as well watch this and get a bit more out of it.

This is just what it claims to be. "A simple, unnecessary, but fun extended edition."
All of the deleted material is added back in. None of it adds anything substantial & usually it's easy to see why it was cut, but it's all interesting & the editing is as smooth as you could possibly want. If I wasn't so familiar with this film, I wouldn't know what was added. I couldn't give an edit higher praise than that.
Seeing the full version of Rick Dalton singing Jim Lowe's The Green Door is a treat. I love that song & his horrible rendition is just fantastic!
If you like the original version of this film & wanna spend an afternoon with it, this is perfect.