Blade Runner [Director's Cut]

Rating:
Summary: A Sci-fi Classic Wrecked
Review: =====>

The plot of this movie (original theatrical release in 1982) is simple. Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a policeman, in this movie's case a "blade runner," of Los Angeles (in the year 2019) who's after four criminals, in this case genetically-made criminal replicants named Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), Pris (Daryl Hannah), Zhora (Joanna Cassidy), and Leon (Brion James). Deckard accidentally develops a romance with the more sophisticated replicant Rachael (Sean Young).

I watched this movie ("The Director's Cut") with a friend who did not see the original release that had Deckard's voice-over narration. Guess what? My friend could not follow the story!!!! I could since I'd seen the original release but I found that I still missed Deckard's voice-over.

I especially missed the voice-over when the Roy Batty replicant "dies" at the end of the movie. This scene was not as emotionally appealing with the voice-over absent.

I think I deduced the reasons why the voice-over is so important for this movie:

(1) It allows the viewer to follow the action.
(2) It provides the human touch to counterbalance all the technological and visually-stunning special effects.
(3) It adds a "retro" feel that reminded me of old-time detective movies.

The ending of the the director's cut movie, I felt, was too abrupt. The original release gave a feeling of hope that Deckard and the replicant Rachael would have a future together.

The special effects that highlight the steel-and-microchip jungle of twenty-first century L.A. and the background music provided by Vangelis are still fantastic and exhilarating.

BOTTOM LINE:

Without the voice-over narration, this movie (The Director's Cut) loses its magnificence and emotional impact.

RECOMMENDATION:

Get the original 1982 theatrical version with Deckard's voice-over narration on DVD. (This version is easily a five star movie.)

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Rating:
Summary: ... it's called retirement.
Review: the fans of this film are legion and if you haven't seen it, please do so and ignore all the ratings out there. this is one of those rare films where you will either like it or hate it.

having said that, i think this is a great film. based very loosely on Phillip K. Dick's 'Do Andriods Dream of Electric Sheep,' it is a story of a burnt out Bladerunner (special units that track down and 'retire' rouge android/replicants) on the pursuit of renegade replicants. as noted by many reviewers, this is a detective movie -- a futuristic film noir.

made in 1982 the look of this film still impresses. set in the near future (latter 21st century) against a teeming, oppressive, dark and ultra-urban Los Angeles, there is a real sense of a believable world -- everything from the costumes to the shots of the city, to even the advertisements are consistant.

after all these years, the special effects in this film are still good simply because Ridley Scott didn't relied heavily on it. ultimately, and especially in the Director's Cut version, the film centers around the internal issue concerning the separation of man and machine (yeah, corny i know but it works here) and challenging the validity of one's perception.

i think all fans of science fiction will easily enjoy this film but i also believe that many movie fans will enjoy not only the story but the wonderful atmosphere of this film as well.

Rating:
Summary: My least favorite film ever.
Review: I find this film unbearable. The acting is very sub-par. Harrison Ford isn't good . The dialogue is forced and trite. The character development is non-existent. At no point in the film did I care what was going on. I wanted a giant asteroid to obliterate everyone so the film would end. Also...why, oh WHY, is Rutger Hauer running around in his boxers and slamming his head through walls?! It doesn't make sense, nor is it even slightly entertaining.

I have never been so angry after watching a film. It put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. _Blade Runner_ is probably the least entertaining film ever made. I would rather have an anvil dropped on me than be subjected to this film again. Avoid this film (as well as another horrible "classic," _Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb_) at all costs.

(sidenote: the special effects are quite good)

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Sci-fi Masterpiece
Review: The most influential sci-fi Noir ever made. Bladerunner is heavy on atmosphere and nuance leaving much to the viewer's imagination (as a classic should). Though sparse on action and dialogue this movie is a must for anyone who likes thinking man's sci-fi and especially those who appreciate the film's role in sci-fi history. The movie may not work for the under-20 crowd who are accustomed to faster paced, more obvious modern thrillers.

Rating:
Summary: Technically Impressive and Gorgeous Classic
Review: The DVD version of this film is definitely worth seeing; details and images which were not discernable in the videotape version are clear as a bell here. The sound is also very clear and projects well, even on a purely stereo system. My only caveat is that the original version has not been made available; I may be swimming upstream on this one, but I enjoy the narration. First, the fact that it's a bit corny just places the film squarely in the film noire tradition, where the private detective hero frequently provides a cliche-laden voiceover. Second, it adds to our understanding of the character. Ridley Scott's contention at the time the director's cut was released that the voiceover didn't add anything to the film is simply not true and must be attributed to pre-release hype; without the voiceover, for example, we wouldn't know that Deckerd had a failed marriage in his past caused by his emotional coldness (he was as cold as sushi), which adds to our understanding of the emotional toll caused from his job as a Bladerunner. However, the director's cut does restore the original, haunting ending and provides a useful service by deleting the tacked-on and awkward sunny ending added to the film originally. All in all, a great release and a classic film.

Rating:
Summary: "Six seven, goto hell or goto heaven"
Review: One of the best all time scifi thrillers, from one of the best directors ever, Ridley Scott. Plus an awesome cast, portraying the android replicants...after watching, you'll be wondering who isn't a replicant. The story is set in futuristic Los Angeles, not too far off 2019...visually stunning, atomoshperic lighting done to perfection by the master of mood Ridley Scott. Harrison Ford plays Rick Deckard, a cop assigned to a special unit to exterminate the Nexus 6 model of Replicants, that are deemed illegal on earth after a rather disasterous event that led to the slaughter of several people. This director's cut version basically removes Deckard's voice over, which is good, but it would be nice to have both versions, or at least two audio tracks, for those that want to keep the original style. This is a letterbox version, you either hate it or love it. Definately a classic that every sci-fi fan should have!

Rating:
Summary: Blade Runner Review
Review: I have watched this movie 20-30 times and still I get something out of it. I originally saw Blade Runner is the the theatre and was blown away with it. This is one of those rare movies that there is no need to fast forward any of the parts. A rarity with movies, even today. The cast is awesome, the script is awesome, and the way the movie was done is awesome. Both versions are well made, although I would recommend the standard version for the casual viewer. This is a movie well worth purchasing and a must for ANY DVD collection. Anyone who views and/or purchases Blade Runner will NOT be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: "He say you Blaaade Runner"!!
Review: For a film made in 1982, this was really ahead of its time, others have tried unsuccessfully to duplicate it(Judge Dredd & The Fifth Element), In this Harrison Ford is Rick Deckard, a retired Blade Runner policeman, who kills Replicants, artificial humans used for slave labor & declared illegal on Earth, who trespass, in the year 2019, four have made their way to Earth & one has already critically wounded his successor, he is called back to elimate them, Rutger Hauer(Ladyhawke) is Roy Batty, the leader who wants more life out of the Tyrell Corporation, who designed them, we learn that they have only a four year life span, a misguided effort to keep them from developing emotions, which Batty has already developed, along with Pris(an unrecognizable Daryl Hannah) & Leon (Brion James of "48HRS) we also meet Rachel(Sean Young) who may also be a Replicant, but is never explained, as is Deckard who may or may not be one, again the viewer has to decide, many great action set-pieces & the visuals are awesome, almost like Courasaunt in the "Star Wars" prequels, Ford & Hauer's stand-off at the end is unique in which Hauer plays this role with intensity, & ultimately makes a human decision regarding Ford, won't spoil it here, but is definately a great film with great direction, Ridley Scott(Alien) never lets you stop guessing the film, & keeps you interested til the end, Highy Recommened!!!

Rating:
Summary: Director's cut vastly inferior to the initial release
Review: Normally when I see the words "director's cut"
I think "ALL RIGHT", the real deal! Well,
not in this case! Do yourself a favor and get
the original (if you can find it). I saw this
film when it was originally released
and WOW! I loved it. I purchased the director's
cut and everytime I showed this version to a
friend, they had no clue what was going on.
Hey, sometimes the director is wrong.

Rating:
Summary: Get the VHS
Review: Why on earth you would change a movi so much is hard to know but is sure NOT as good as the original...don't get it. what was the director thinking?????