Blade Runner [Director's Cut]

Rating:
Summary: Warner Bros. DVD's... the worst from any studio.
Review: 5 stars for the film only... 2 stars for the DVD presentation from Warner Home Video.

For being the studio that launched the DVD revolution (the DVD format we know and love today is a product of the combined research and development between Warner Home Video and Toshiba electronics), Warner Home Video/Warner Bros. could seemingly care less about the fans and the home cinema experience. Typical of the neglect they shower upon consumers of DVD's is "Blade Runner." Warner's pretty much sums up their attitude with their (sub)-standard packaging: cardboard and a wee bit of plastic... There are no booklets (as usual on early Warner's DVD releases), no image on the DVD itself (since this DVD offers full screen on one side and widescreen on the other, it's a negligible problem for this release), and nary an extra to be found. Warner Bros. has an AMAZING back catalog of films in their archives... and they certainly don't mind releasing them in droves to unsuspecting consumers; however, except for the rare DVD release of a great Warner's film in a well presented DVD package ("Citizen Kane's" DVD release is a good example of what they can do when they kinda sorta care) the studio seems, for the most part, to just toss 'em out there without extras (or limited extras), and very often with no commentary from the technical team or the actors. Furthermore, the awful, cheesy packaging they foist upon the average consumer (Criterion they ain't) just makes their DVD packages pale compared to other studio's home video releases (even MGM finally cleaned up their act a bit, and now release special editions of popular films and critical classics). "Blade Runner" MORE than deserves a proper DVD release, and a re-release should include (on a seperate disc): the full script (NOT in a CD-ROM format thank you very much (for those of us that own Macs)), the full production notes, behind the scenes archival material (of which there is tons), any deleted scenes, a seperate version of the original release (with the awful Deckard voiceover and the "Shining" ending... film geeks, you know what I'm talking about) and anything else they could graciously put in there for the fans (like a background-bio on Phillip K. Dick and "Do Androids..."). The first disc, of course, should be a proper, 16X9 enhanced widescreen presentation with a completely remastered soundtrack in DTS, Dolby 5.1 (at least) and 2.0 Surround. Commentaries from Scott, the cast, and the special effects technicians (including Syd Mead) should dominate this disc on separate tracks... and, though Ridley Scott's films on DVD are notorious for very small letterboxing (the image often looks like the opening slit on a box of Kleenex) they could spruce it up for 16X9 at a higher resolution, with few compression artifacts (a nasty DVD affliction common to all DVD's) and STILL offer a full screen version! A three-disc set is not out of the question for a film of this caliber. But, alas alack, Warner's continuously screws the pooch and feels content to release crappy DVD presentations in order to do what they do best: grab your cash before you know how worthless the product is.

Shape up Warners! Live up to the video trend you started, and give as much care to your films as the fans do when watching them!

Rating:
Summary: THE FUTURE IS DISMAL - SO IS THE TRANSFER!
Review: Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is an apocalyptic postmodernist vision of the future. The story involves a bounty hunter, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) who is assigned to kill three replicants - android style robots that look identical to humans, who have come to earth to seek revenge on their creator - Eldon Tyrell. Narratively flawed, but visually stunning, the film has developed a cult following - and it is easy to see why. The production is layered with multi-references to our own society and culture that truly stir the mind into rethinking this movie as much more than a sci-fi adventure.
TRANSFER: WHAT A SHAME! Though the general color balancing and attention to fine details, even in the darkest scenes, is adequate, there is simply NO EXCUSE for leaving the chips, scratches and in some cases, tears in this DVD transfer. Pixelization crops up now and them, but the most disturbing part of the transfer is that it fails to pay attention to the dirt and (in some cases) hair, stuck to the film negative. The result is a dirty looking picture that, while perhaps in keeping with Ridley Scott's vision of a dank, hard universe of the future, is most definitely not what the director had in mind. Saving grace: the transfer is anamorphically enhanced for widescreen televisions. The sonic characteristic of the 5.1 audio is rich, though dated. Strong bass and reasonably well balanced dialogue and effects, though there are a few perceived occasions where dubbing in of dialogue sounds possible.
EXTRAS: NONE! Not even the theatrical trailer!
BOTTOM LINE: New transfer - please. Some extras would be nice too!

Rating:
Summary: Ditto!
Review: I fully agree with reviewer Dan Wiley. Regardless of the pompous nature typical of "director's cuts," the theater release version of Blade Runner is the better movie. Substantially better in my opinion. Harrison Ford's narration is delivered with the no B.S. approach of Mikey Spillane. It only adds to the film. I like it and so does everyone else with whom I've discussed this sci fi classic. If Mr. Wiley is correct and there will be a DVD re-release including the original version, that's the one I'll buy. Until then my aged VHS copy will soldier on...

Rating:
Summary: Blade Runner revisited(again)
Review: I have viewed Blade Runner many times, both in the voice over version and director cuts. I have to admit I like the directors cut better. Nuff said about that.
It is one of the very few films I watch frequently and it never loses it's edge. The casting was perfect. The music by Vangelis an integral and outstanding score. The visuals outstanding! Whoever the editor was, god bless you sir.
Rutger Hauer as Roy--- Perfect!!
Revalent then as today, the movie begs the question of what exactly defines "life" and from what perspective do we "humans" really understand it. It's also a big a polk in our collective gut because at the end, it is the androids who draw our sympathy, not the humans!
I can only tell you this:
When it rains for days I put this movie on, and for some reason I can't wipe out the memory of "Roy" saying:
"...all these memories lost... forever, in time, like tears in the rain".

Rating:
Summary: The facts regarding Blade Runner on DVD
Review: There is a 3 disc Special Edition DVD of this all time classic film on the horizon. This Special Edition will have 3 different versions of the film: the original theatrical version, the directors' cut, and a new Ridley Scott updated version of the film. It will also have numerous special features. It will be very similar to Scott's Black Hawk Down 3-Disc Special Edition DVD.

The person in charge of the design of this disc is Charlie DeLuzika (sp?) who is responsible for some of the best special edition DVD's made.

Ridley Scott himself stated that the actual completion/restoration of the versions that will appear on these discs was finished in 2002 (see Sound & Vision Magazine-"15 Minutes with Ridley Scott" published in 2002.)

What's holding up the discs are legal problems. Apparently the production company that owned the rights to the movie went out of business, and there is fighting over who now owns those assets. That is also why there is a lack of other Blade Runner related items such as action figures. The only ones of those available are Japanese bootlegs.

The reason that this Director's Cut is so dreadful is that it, along with "Twister", was one of the first DVD's ever released. That's why there is just a blue screen with a WB logo for the menu!

There is no known release date for the 3 disc special edition. It was suppose to be released for the 20th Anniversary of the film in 2002. My guess is that the earliest it will appear is fourth quarter 2004.

Hope this info was helpful. I just can't wait for a DVD release that finally does Blade Runner justice!

Rating:
Summary: From Classic Film Noir to Okay Movie
Review: ...Sorry for any spoilers.

Is Deckard human or an android? Does being human necessarily mean you are made of flesh and blood? Why does Deckard feel remorse after shooting his non-human adversaries? Why does Deckard fall in love with Rachel? Why does Roy humanely spare Deckard at the end?

These are the kinds of questions that I asked myself after watching this film in a theatre back in 1982. These questions that the movie inspired were one of the reasons why I really loved the film.

With the Director's Cut of Blade Runner, these questions are answered for you. Therefore, so like most films, it is purely a visual entertainment vehicle that does not require you to think. As such, it still is a competent and better than average movie, but the original had a depth to it that made it a classic.

Please put out the original "classic" on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: A Sci Fi masterpiece worth your time
Review: Watching Blade Runner:The Director's Cut is like listening to smooth Jazz on a rainy day. One becomes hypnotized by the effortless flow of the dreamy, and nostalgic world and forgets all about time and space. This unusual world encloses around you, slowly making its way to the gentle core of your soul. Ridley Scott's direction of this patient science fiction masterpiece starring Harrison Ford, allows the viewer to enter a dreamy and accurate portrayel of mankind's future and the out-of-control technology that man has yet to master. From Phillip K. Dick's short story "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" comes one of the finest science fiction films ever invisioned. The dark and profound subjects such as the acceptance of death and the fragility of humans are subtely incorporated into the film's plot line, while the stunning and highly influencial art direction of the futuristic Los Angeles allows viewers to become entranced in it's beauty and awe.

Rating:
Summary: Director's Cut vs Original Release
Review: I have to agree with other reviews regarding the Director's Cut. I have both versions in VHS, and find the original version far superior. I expected that, like VHS, both versions would be available on DVD, but that hasn't happened yet. How do we let the studio know that what we really want is the original version on DVD? I love this movie, but don't really want to buy the Director's cut on DVD, since I consider it inferior. Thanks...

Rating:
Summary: blade runner is the shiznit!
Review: i want to start off by saying that ridley scott is the man! that said, this is one of the best sci-fi movies out there. with very convincing acting, a moody soundtrack and a story that i still don't understand, it makes for a very engrossing movie. it is a dark, disturbing movie (especially when harrison ford caps darrel hannah and she spazes out on the floor), and i recommend it to anyone who likes movies.

Rating:
Summary: A dark film, which is further emphazised by the Direct. Cut
Review: Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" is an ominous,and dark look at the future. The film takes place in a very dark Los Angeles. The main character of the story is Deckard (Harrison Ford) who is ordered to kill replicants. Rather than explaining the story I am simply going to suggest that this is a movie that must be seen. However, what I intend on reviewing or comparing is the Director's Cut against the theatrical release. The Directors Cut is obviously the better choice. The original voice over narration is horrible, meaningless, and offers a fake happy ending. Harrison Ford himself admits to doing the voice over poorly hoping that the studio would not use it. The Directors Cut version is a much better film, not just because of this, but because of the ending. The film is a difficult one which takes a few viewings to fully comprehend the whole story and the ideas but it is such a brilliant film that any movie fan must dedicate themselves to Scotts masterpiece.