Blade Runner [Director's Cut]

Rating:
Summary: Great movie: Terrible example of a DVD, though.
Review: This is a five star movie--a classic, featured prominently in every film class I've ever taken--and my review score is downgraded only at the quality of the DVD, which is possibly the worst I've ever seen. Picture quality is just fine, but sound, which is advertised on the box as Dolby Digital, is not. You'll only get at most Pro Logic Surround with the right equipment off this disc, as it hasn't been newly remastered for this release and Dolby Digital didn't exist when it was made.

There aren't any new goodies on this DVD, and the generic interface/menu screens absolutely suck.

You can argue that this is no big deal, but when you see the loving care that's been put into the extras and menus of DVD's like Alien and Aliens, and see how much it adds, you can compare and see what a terrible disservice has been done to this classic film. It doesn't even come in a durable box (not many do, but the ones that do are appreciated).

Unfortunately, it's the only game in town if you want to own this landmark work. It's too bad that the studio won't remaster the sound and rerelease this DVD as it should be, with both Director's Cut and Theatrical Release on the same disc, complete with proper menus and extras. THAT would get a five star review from me, without doubt.

Rating:
Summary: Should Have Left the VHS version alone
Review: I happen to like the VHS version much, much, better than the DVD. I own both, but I will not look at the DVD version again. The narration was great and so was the ending of the VHS movie.

Rating:
Summary: The reason for DVD, but where's the narrative?
Review: Not only would Blade Runner be the first movie to be played on my new $5,000 system, but in large part is the inspiration and justification for it.

This movie, with no close second, is the best movie ever made. While I know I am mostly alone in this opinion, I married the person who agreed with me.

The cinema and sound experience surpassed our very high expectations. If you want to be amazed what DVD's component video and a 5 channel audio system can do in your home, this is the movie to showcase.

But it was *NOT* the Blade Runner experience! True Blade Runner fans will be horrified at the removal of the narrative. Don't listen to the crackpots trying explain that this movie was not a blockbuster success because it had a 'cheesy' narrative. Puh-leaze.

The original film narrative provided a first person feeling that is gone from the directors cut. The loneliness that makes this film special is gone with it. The beauty is still there, but the feeling is gone.

Our VHS will remain until this atrocity is rectified.

Rating:
Summary: Move over Citizen Kane!
Review: Where do I start with Bladerunner? I first saw it by accident, I was going through my parents video collection, while my babysitter was listening to madonna, and chewing gum dressed in lace and lycra leggins, the video cover looked like it was going to be cool, I was 10, it had 15 certificate, so I watched it! It had such a profound effect on me, I mean OK I didn't fully understand the narrative, I hadn't the fogyest why Han Solo was now a cop chasing a naked man who stuck nails in his hand, but visually it was absorbing! The Directors cut is by far the best way to see the film, mostly because it gives youthe choice as a viewer to enjoy the film without hearing an arsey Harrison Ford doing a lame voiceover. It also brings in key storyline features, that I don't want to give away. The film still looks gorgeous, the special effects stand the test of time. It is one of the type of films that you can watch over and over again, and find something new each time. I like that fact..... oh and that you get daryl Hannah in a lycra suit..always a bonus. Get the DVD, you'll love it. A crucial adition to anybodies collection, THE BEST FILM EVER MADE. Appart from maybe Wizard of OZ.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie, not so good in the director's cut
Review: Normally I prefer director's cuts to the "normal" versions, but I think in this one the theatre version is actually better. Decker's voiceovers really add to the understanding of the movie, so this version is only for those who have already seen the theatrical release and want something different to keep at home. ;] Other than that I love the movie itself, the feel it brings across with the lights shining across the dusty earth's atmosphere everywhere is just perfect!

Rating:
Summary: Not to be missed
Review: A truly great movie. Harrison Ford is great as usual, Rutger Hauer is acting for once. This version is without any doubt one of the best movies of the last decades. Clever, surprising, it has all you would expect from a well made movie. This is real Cinema with a capital C.

P.S. You have to see this movie in widescreen, do not ever go for anything less. (btw that goes for any movie available in widescreen)

Rating:
Summary: Where's the original Bladerunner?
Review: I've seen both versions and I prefer the original theater release. The Directors cut seems like a hoax, long periods of silence that seem shot for narration. I'd buy the Original theater release in a heartbeat (meanwhile I'll treasure my old and aging VHS of the original). This movie has been mired in egotistical controversy since it's original release. The original soundtrack was never released and Vangelis' recent soundtrack release was coifed to his preferences. Get the egos out of the way! Fans have always wanted the original flick and the original soundtrack...and have been left waving our dollars in the air for the taking. I was stunned the DVD version did not allow for the original cut.

The egos must be stopped - Bladerunner is one of the five best Sci-fi flicks. How it ever lost a Best Original Costume Design oscar to Ghandi (ha) I'll never know.

I own the current Directors-Cut DVD, both of the non-original soundtracks (including Vangelis) and the original on VHS.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite films
Review: Blade Runner has already demonstrated it's superiority by the fact that people are still clamouring to watch this movie to this day. I believe one of the reasons why is that, even today, the casual viewer is still convinced that what he is watching is taking place outside of the time it was made. This is the mark of a truly outstanding film. There are no trappings of style or convention (or relatively few) that would lead someone to pigeonhole this film as "just another bit of science fiction of that period."

Of course (my obligatory rant against the obtuse state of mainstream movies commences now), fans of commercial fluff like the Matrix likely won't appreciate its aesthetics. They will expect mindless action and explosions and nothing more. This is not to say that Blade Runner does not have it's fine share. But whereas high-budget action movies today create explosions with no artistic merit whatsoever, even the least detectable spark in Blade Runner evinces a degree of ethereal value.

Rating:
Summary: An Entertainment First
Review: Unlike the previous review states, you can feel free to watch this film and yes, actually enjoy it, WITHOUT dissecting each element... Great art direction and a world you can immerse yourself in compensate for some minor flaws in character development and plot... if you want a film lecture, go back to college, if not, enjoy this fine film on its merits

Rating:
Summary: Finally, true to a book
Review: If you like the original Blade Runner better than the Director's cut, please read "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Philip K. Dick. This is the story BR is based upon. The difference is like reading Stephen King's "The Stand" in the 600-page version, then the recently released 1100-page version. Very important things are lost when it is cut.

BR-DC is true to the original story, where the original release seemed more an attempt to emulate James Ellroy. The elimination of the voiceover was a huge step to getting out of the '40's film noir style, and the ending, like the ending of the book (and the PC game) left just enough doubt to Deckard's humanity to give the viewer something to think about.

The unicorn scene, while not in the original story, gave something back to it. Dick's book had a sub-storyline about Deckard's wife (really?) and attaining a real animal. The unicorn scene accomplished this same effect while still being viewable in a reasonable amount of time. Without this scene, the DC ending would fall flat.

Speaking of the DC ending, it is much closer to the story's original ending than the "happy ending" WB forced on the theatrical release. It's also a lot more real. How often have you had a happy ending? Remember, it has to be happy, and it has to be an ending.

Blade Runner: the Director's Cut should be in every true sci-fi fan's collection just for sticking (mostly) to the original story. Ridley's direction, wonderful acting, a great soundtrack, and incredible effects are only bonuses tacked onto what was already a masterpiece waiting to be captured.