I'm surprised no one has actually tried to explain this yet.

Cinematic Unisystem *is* classic unisystem with some of the optional rules turned on, and some of the other rules turned off. Other than that, the systems are virtually identical, barring a much smaller skill list. There's often more difference between two different games of GURPS than between a Classic Unisystem game and a Cinematic one.

If you want to do "gritty, non-cinematic" stuff with Cinematic Unisystem, you just don't use drama points. This instantly makes it completely equal in lethality to AFMBE, if not more so. The "no rolling for damage" is already an optional rule in classic and the Rules of One and Ten would work the exact same way in Cinematic as they do in Classic, if you wanted to keep 'em.

Skill list is also easy. If you want to use the Classic skill list, just double (maybe triple, if you're generous) the skill points you get at Chargen in Cinematic and...there you have it.

I mean, the only other thing is Essence, and if you're going to use Essence-based magic, you just use the rules for Essence from classic...

In other words, Skel, you're fears are completely unfounded. The game systems are virtually identical.