Blade Runner [Director's Cut]

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant - but original beats Directors Cut
Review: Based on the little known Philip K Dick book "Do androids dream of electric sheep?" from the 1960's this is one of Ridley Scotts earliest and probably best outings. Harrison Ford plays a futuristic Philip Marlowe type character, hired to track down some runaway and villainous human cyborgs. A moody and dark picture, it captures a pretty bleak image of the future, but carries some touching sentiments about the endearing qualities and failures of human beings, and the films climax is both touching and memorable. Initially a little disjointed at the beginning of the picture, and at times surreal in directorial quality it is nonetheless an exceptional movie, with an excellent script, and cast - Sean Young plays the very beautiful romantic interest, and there are also some early outings for Daryl Hannah, and Rutgar Hauer. Although the Sfx are somewhat behind today's computer aided wonders, the fact remains that this is a very well made and believable movie. As if this weren't recommendation enough the film also contains a stunning soundtrack by Vangelis, which was not actually released until recently. There are several versions available including wide screen and DVD but be warned however this more recent "Directors Cut" release was actually a bad idea, cutting Fords talkovers, and leaving more questions than it set out to answer from the original movie. One of the best Science Fiction Films of the last 20 years.

Rating:
Summary: A must-have for the sci-fi fan's DVD collection
Review: I had the rare treat of seeing the director's cut of this movie on the big screen a couple years ago, having chanced upon a limited time release. From then on, I was hooked!

I wasn't old enough to have seen the original theatrical release in theatres, but after watching it on video, I must say that the director's cut is the better of the two, even if the ending is less "happy". The happy ending didn't seem to fit well with the rest of the movie's tone, which to be honest, had very little that was positive to say about the future of the human race. I find this approach to be more honest, serving perhaps as a veiled warning about the potential consequences of recklessly pursuing ever-greater knowledge and technology.

Personally, I found that Ford's narratives took away from the atmosphere that Ridley had so carefully created - dark, rainy, and very subtle, with lots of detail that is not immediately present (look carefully for the ad signs of non-existent companies - Pan Am and Atari, to name a couple) on first viewing.

I was disappointed that the technological capabilities of the DVD format were largely ignored, particularly where sound was concerned - with 5.1 channels of Dolby Digital to work with, they made little use of it. It would've definitely enhanced the film to become fully immersed in Ridley's dark, busy and at times jarring depiction of Los Angeles in 2019. There are also no "extras" - they could've included the European release or the original US theatrical release, along with perhaps some interviews or other items that are suited to such a long-standing cult classic. For these reasons, it gets 4 stars from me.

Rating:
Summary: Sure thing.
Review: I have seen hundreds of movies, from every genre exploited, and I can say that this is hands down my favorite. Don't go into this however, thinking that it is action, or you will be disappointed. Ridly Scott's slow-paced masterpiece is for the thinking man. To truely understand this films sole and purpose, will require hours of thought and multiple viewings. A safe buy even if you've never seen it before.

Rating:
Summary: Techlosofie
Review: Amazon has been met with more than 300 reviews for the DVD version of this movie. It is clear that the movie is of much concern to many people. When I first viewed it in the theaters, in the early 80's, I was somewhat disappointed. The story seemed too subtle, despite the very original sound and visual elements of the film. Yet I found myself watching it again and again on video and now once on DVD. The more I watched it the more I learned to appreciated it, and now regard it as probably one of the most intriguing movies to come out of Hollywood ever. The essential story: After thousands of years of civil existance humankind now has developed technology to such a degree that he/she is able to create life in his/her own image(sound familiar?). But can humankind handle that level of power. Responsibility and advanced technology, synonymous? What happens when the created seeks the creator to ask for more? The director of the movie takes this situation and translates it into an incredible piece of highly detailed audio visual work. 2019 LA, rain, over population and confusion- a new world awaits them. The means to create life synthetically while most of the natural population seems to be able to just get by... even in this technologically advanced future. I gave the DVD version only 2 stars. Why? I have seen all versions and conclude to subscribe only to the European. It is the least cut and most original. In addition, the Directors Cut lacks, in certain ways, the effect of the original. The DVD offers only limited extra features in comparison to its VHS video counterpart.

Precision Engineer: micro systems technology (nanofront)

Rating:
Summary: A true classic that deserves better...
Review: Bladerunner is still one of the finest cyberpunk movie ever made(Fifth Element don't even come close). When it was first aired, there were so may versions of the film. In my opinion, the European version is the best. It certainly has a lot more violence but it made the movie much clearer with Ford's narration and the happy ending that made the film less depressing than it already is. Sadly the DVD lacks all this offering us the director's vision only. Strangely the Criterion Edition LD(which offers the European version)has not made it to the DVD. This is sad considering that Ridley Scott's Legend is given a better treatment on DVD offering two versions of the film in a Collector's Edition(the fantastic director's cut and the horrible U.S version). Hopefully, Bladerunner will be rereleased with both European version and director's cut in the near future(and possibly a 'making of' documentary as well).

Rating:
Summary: Good DVD, BUT
Review: My biggest complaint on this dvd is that with the technology of multiple audio tracks, etc etc, that they did NOT include the narration track even as an alternate. I had hopes when this came out on dvd that FINALLY I could have a widescreen version of the film with the narration track, but was disappointed. For those who have seen the film many times it isnt nessesary, but if you havnt seen the film before, you will most likely be lost.

Rating:
Summary: good as the original, but what the hey?!
Review: I'll keep this brief. If you liked the original, you'll probably like this one, too. The lack of voiceovers and a happy ending don't hurt it one bit. But the unicorn dream sequence? It's completely out of place in a film that is otherwise so hard-edged in its "science-fictionness" that people who only watch the occasional sci-fi flick might find it boring and drab based simply on looks. It's silly, pointless, and what's more, only a few seconds long. Let's try and rein in our egos a bit, can't we Mr. Scott? I also HATE the idea (supposedly implied by the unicorn sequence) that Harrison Ford's character was a replicant. Ripley Scott confirmed that little notion a while back in an interview, and I have to say that if this wasn't such a good film, that statement would have ruined it for me. Still, like I said, this is an excellent film (in spite of the unicorn nonsense).

Rating:
Summary: This is THE definative Sci-fi thriller!
Review: The 5-star rating I gave is for the original theatrical release. The directors' cut, rates only 3 1/2 stars. First of all the DVD should have a flip-side, one side for the orginal theatrical release (with the voice-over narration of Deckard), and the other with the directors cut. I believe the narration set the whole tone of the film; its deletion from the DVD took away a lot of the atmosphere of the film. This is a very dark and moody film, and those of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's can identify with the bleak outlook it portrays for future Earth. The "uplifting" ending (if you could call it that) in the orginal is the only positive message we see in this future. The sound on the DVD is very disappointing, but the video is excellent. This disappointed me for one main reason: When I bought the DVD I expected to be surrounded with not only the sights but also the sounds of future Los Angeles. I wanted to be absolutely taken to Deckard's world and unfortunately, I wasnt. About the only thing I noticed in surround was the music, and the police vehicles as they flew by. To the guy who complained about Rutger Hauer's final scene being chopped: I agree 100%. I personally think Harrison Ford fit the part of Deckard perfectly, but no one (absolutely no one) couldve protrayed Roy Batty except Rutger Hauer. His final death scene was very convincing, and although it is only a movie, and I am a grown man, that scene still literally will move me to the verge of tears. For those who havent experienced Bladerunner, please do so. Its not the most action packed film around, but this movie is so good, it doesnt need a lot of action to sustain it. I personally thank all those involved with this film for bringing it to vibrant life for all of us fans. Just do us all a favor, PLEASE, bring back the original theatrical release version for those of us who love that version so much.

Rating:
Summary: The classic Sci-Fi thriller
Review: I liked that movie ever since its release in the early 80s. I've seen it many times. Before the Director's Cut, there was the original theatrical version which had the voiceover narration of the main character, Rick Deckard (Harrsion Ford), which I personally liked a lot better. It's a dark movie about replicants with human appearance, but a short life span, who are eager to find a way to extend their existence. Rutger Hauer plays one of these robots and its one of his best roles ever. Needless to say, Harrison Ford plays superbly. Blade Runner really reinvented the Sci-Fi thriller genre and brought it back to life. While this movie was already made some two decades ago, it's as fresh as it can be and a lot of contemporary Sci-Fi flicks continue to borrow from this motion picture. The scenery, a futuristic L.A., the concept of humanoids or replicants, flying automobiles, and so forth. The soundtrack is also unique. Sean Young looks pretty good and stylish in this movie, too. And we consider Blade runner to be the ultimate Sci-Fi thriller, which has no match so far.

Rating:
Summary: Original is better, humanity triumphs
Review: This is still a great movie even though "sourpusses" relish in its removal of the happy ending from the original release. This movie drops down a notch because the cynics miss the movie's point. I will try to explain. The most powerful scene in the movie is when Rutger's replicant-killer gains self-awareness on the rooftop battling Harrison Ford. In the rain, he remarks how as an expendable entity he has gone to the ends of the universe on suicide missions with noone caring or remembering, and then when its all said and done, he will cease to exist. Then, as the rain drops fall, HE CHOOSES to rescue Harrison Ford, anyway. If that is not by definition, HUMANITY, heroism, and LOVE, then what is it? He CHOSE to be alive, to care. By so doing he exceeds the humanity of some of us. If you don't shed a tear for him and wish he were human, then maybe YOU are a replicant. This is where the cynics miss the point.

The natural response of a human would be to as soon as the crisis was over to CHOSE LIFE--to grab the girl, get away and LIVE while you can and be thankful for what you have, which is what Ford does in the original movie but not the avante garde "director's cut". The studio executives are right on this one. The point of this movie is to remain HUMAN no matter what the inhumanity that science and technology directed by the heartless creates. To remember the dark days on some forgotten planet and the "expendibles"--in other words DON'T LET OUR WORLD BECOME THE WORLD OF BLADE RUNNER.