just saw Die Another Day, and I really got to say that, despite not seeing the anime I gotta disagree with this:

This was cut because, in the end -- it really was just mainly effects.

I thought the narrative was pretty clear, with the use of the watch, the semi-antagonistic relationship between the two girls ("When this is over, I'll have to kill you", "I'll be waiting for that day"; the fighting with each other, occasionally working together, "close my body now") and the main 'villian'.

...tho that might be because I'm more used to anime short-hand? dunno.