Tonight, we dive into the legendary Japanese Extended Cut of Johnny Mnemonic (1995), released in Japan under the title JM. This version is a holy grail for fans, as it completely shifts focus to highlight the tragic character of Takahashi (Takeshi Kitano).

If you look closely at the back of this r/LaserDisc jacket, there is a striking photo highlighting the confrontation between Keanu and Takeshi. Right under the obi strip, it literally reads "Keanu Reeves x Takeshi"—as if Kitano is the co-lead and the next most crucial character in the entire movie.

Official production facts about this unique release:

• Longer Runtime: It runs 103 minutes, adding nearly 9 minutes of footage missing from the international cut.
• More Beat Takeshi: Restores emotional and brutal scenes, including Takahashi watching a 3D hologram of his late daughter and executing disobedient henchmen.
• Different Score & Editing: Features unique camera angles and replaces Brad Fiedel's electronic music with an atmospheric score by Mychael Danna and Black Rain.
• Altered Ending: Uses alternative visual cuts in cyberspace and drops the international memory-recovery epilogue.

Happy Kitano Friday, everyone! Spin your r/LaserDisc, turn on your CRT, and enjoy 90s cyberpunk history where Takeshi truly steals the show. 🎴