Recap: Big (1988) <Extended Cut> (2007)
Retro Recap #1: Should we just call it "Bigger"?
Big (1988) <Extended Cut> (2007) — Should we just call it "Bigger"?
+ Feature film, 2h 10m (up from 1h 44m)
A-^ (up from A->)
Family Suitability
+ ⚠️0️⃣ Problematic for teens and sensitive adults. (same) | NR (theatrical: PGa)
Alignment with Judeo-Christian Values
+ ⛔2️⃣ Poor (same)
+ 1️⃣/5 works in Big multiverse 🔜⭐
Grade: A-^ (8.0) / HOF: 20
EQ 👍A++ | 📖A+ 👥A+ 📽️A+ 🎼A+
DW 😎8.8 | 🌚8 🌝11
POPCAP 💯n/a 🍿n/a 🧢n/a
L-R ☮️n/a ◀️n/a ▶️n/a 🛐n/a
About: Big (1988) <Extended Cut> (2007)
Here’s my Review of the theatrical version of Big (1988):
In 2007 a longer version of Big (1988) was released called the Extended Cut. It adds 26 minutes of footage, including three relatively long new scenes of a few minutes each, which were not in the theatrical cut. It also includes several extra moments added to scenes which were in the theatrical version.
Pros
Two of three added scenes are quite good and very funny.
The added scenes and moments contribute a lot of character depth and storytelling such that everything make a little more sense.
The character of Susan becomes slightly more likeable when given greater depth. The added material improves her character more than any other.
Besides the grade I gave going up from an A-> to an A-^, I also changed the EQ from an A+ to an A++, because I changed the Characters component from an A to an A+. (All other ratings remained the same.)
Cons
It takes longer to watch. Sometimes brevity is better.
The first added scene is very much cringe comedy. I found it unpleasant. Your mileage may vary.
NPCs (Not Pros or Cons)
At the very end of the film, there are two credits for small parts that only exist in the Extended Cut and not the theatrical version of the film. I didn’t find either background role of enough significance to be worth pointing out the actors who performed them, but it is kind of interesting that a couple more people earned credits.
Bottom Line
If you have time, this is the better version of Big to watch. If you have never seen this version, but are a fan of the original, it makes for an improved re-watch. But if you weren’t a fan of the original, this Extended Cut isn’t so much better that you will suddenly become a fan.
This version of Big probably deserves a full Review, not just this Recap, but I wanted to give you an example of what a Recap will be like.
If you would like me to post a full Retro Review of Big (1988) <Extended Cut> (2007), give a 🩷Like to this post, or leave a comment. Every now and then, I will give a full Retro Review to the Retro Recap with the most upgrade requests!
+ first viewed 2025-07-08, HDX7, 1.85v, 5M
+ 🦄🧙🥰💘😏😥🥸
Family Suitability Detail
+ ⚠️0️⃣ Problematic for teens and sensitive adults. | PGa
+ 😡+1 😵💫-0 🤬-1^ 🤭-0 🫣-0
Judeo-Christian Values Detail
+ ⛔2️⃣ Poor
+ ✝️ -2 ➖🗿🔮(🤬)♀️🚬
+ ✡️ -2 ➕🤍 ➖🗿🔮🤬🫢🫢
+ 🗽 -1 ➖🗿🔮💻
Please do not include spoilers in the comments.
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And I'm making a note; I do want to see those extra scenes. I'd never heard of the extended cut until now.
A weird text formatting issue -- it took me quite a while to figure out that from A-> to A-^ is an improvement, because my brain obstinately interpreted -> as an emphatic version of >. I don't know if anyone else might be confused the same way, or what would be the best way to fix the issue if so.