I just got the DVD and watched the Alternate ending. It's so much better than the Theatrical ending (which was the same as the book ending.) If you were frustrated with the Theatrical ending I would recommend getting the DVD.
sharei agree the theatrical ending seemed so contrived. didnt care for it at all
shareHow does it end?
shareSPOILER: The son hurts his leg in the car crash but not his heart. Nobody dies. Amanda and Frank separate. She writes Dawson a letter saying she needs time for her son, but that she and Dawson might be able to be together after that. IMO, even though it was a happy ending, it was a lot less contrived than the heart transplant ending.
shareI saw the movie and I think the alternate ending being the happy ending works better. It was nice to see Dawson and Amanda together.
shareThis movie is straight formula. Pick common pieces and snap together like Lego. They might as well have thrown in an amnesia arc.
The canonical ending was like something you would see in a soap opera. A bad soap opera that was rushed into finishing early because it was cancelled.
My rating sharply went from maybe a 6, to a flat 2 after watching that.
What do you mean canonical? You didn't like the alternative ending? I thought it was much more realistic than the heart transplant ending.
shareThe thing is though that the alternative ending does leave the door for a sequel in a very different genre.
Dawson's father and brothers and other members of their crime ring will be out for revenge for his testimony against them after they get out of prison. Its likely Amanda will be caught in the middle of this. They can have a scene reminicent of when they ruin Tuck's flowers when they kill Amanda because of how much shes means to Dawson, and Dawson is out for revenge and hunts down and kills his father, brothers, and the other criminals.