Customer Reviews

Blade Runner (Limited Edition Collector's Set)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

I think that I am still relatively safe in saying that Blade Runner is one of the most prolific and inspired sci-fi movies of all time. But there are still several qualms that many people, myself included, have with the DVD release. First of all, the sound and video transfer flat out suck. There is no 5.1 sound, and as for the video, well, that's just because no archival negative has ever been made, so what you see is what you get. Secondly, the only version of the film that you can get on DVD format is the "Director's Cut", which is just a hurried fix-up from the original. Ridley Scott even said himself that he wasn't totally happy with this version, but it met his basic artistic vision of the film. Lastly, there are not special features except for a crappy cast and crew synopsis.

Okay, so before you start to think that I'm totally blasting the film, hold on. The true version of this film is yet to be seen by anyone. According to Scott and Warner Bros., a three-disk, definitive version of Blade Runner is supposed to be released. Contained will be all the different versions of the film, including a new version which Scott has painstakingly digitally re-edited and reworked. It's not the original, it's not the director's cut, but it's just simply, "Blade Runner". Also included in the "Blade Runner: Special Edition" will be loads of extras, including interviews and documetaries. This is the true version of the movie, the version that should be viewed by the masses. One problem though. Legal struggles between Scott, Warner Bros., and the "Blade Runner Partnership" have made the release of this version all but certain. Scott has already done the work, and Warner Bros. is ready to distribute, but Jerry Perenchio of the "Partnership" seems less than thrilled to let Scott have his way.

So, my advice is to hold out until the "Special Edition" comes out. I know, who knows when that will be, but trust me, if you are a fan of Blade Runner, you will only be doing yourself a favor by waiting.

There has been much discussion over which version of Blade Runner is the best. I have to say that, although I like the director's cut, it is the original version that really captured my heart and imagination. First of all, the narration made Blade Runner into a futuristic version of the old black and white private eye films. This gave the movie a GREAT retro feeling and in my opinion revealed more about Deckard's character than the director's cut was able to. Secondly, the director's cut really seems to go out of its way to drive home the point that Deckard is a replicant as well. I don't think that made the movie any stronger or better, it just made it "different". Rather than a human who finds love in a replicant and learns that you don't have to be a real person to be human in the original, you have a replicant who doesn't know he's one killing replicants and the numerous issues that go along with that. Anyway, if the franchise wants to really make some money, they should release an ULTIMATE EDITION BLADE RUNNER DISC SET with BOTH versions on DVD. They would satisfy everyone, and give people a chance to see both versions and judge for themselves which is best.

The video transfer for the "Limited Edition Collector's Set" is the same as the video transfer for the "Director's Cut" (the regular DVD), which is to say, lousy. There have been talks for ages about there being a special edition release of Blade Runner, but this is not it. It's just the regular release with some extra stuff in the box. Don't be suckered.

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The present DVD release of this movie is a very cheap and cheerful affair, with plenty of dirt specks, extra grain and poor contrast; not worth having, and not that much better than a VHS copy. It hasn't got 5.1 sound or any special features.

What always annoyed me about this "Director's Cut" is that it is missing some very satisfying extra bits in the violent scenes which I've only seen once (in a pre-directors cut screening at a local cinema) which are as follows and which greatly affect the scenes they are in:

1. Where Roy Batty crushes Tyrell's head, there are some extra bits of him pushing his fingers in. Sounds crude, but the scene plays a lot better and is no more gruesome.

2. When Roy is trying to stay alive by pushing a nail through his hand, there's a bit more of the nail going in. This is very squeamish but again the scene works better.

3. The most annoying omission: Pris' dancing attack on Deckard is AT LEAST TWICE AS LONG and WORKS WAY BETTER! In the usual version, she drops him to the floor, does one run up and is shot dead. Very tame! In the never-to-be-seen-again version, she attacks him much more convincingly, and her death scene is also longer and much creepier, with her extra-weird android screaming and wriggling up the walls!

Surely Ridley Scott would have wanted these bits kept? They aren't as "strong" as many things I have seen, and this is an adult-rated movie anyway. I won't believe any more hype about Director's Cuts until someone explains this to me.

A special new edition, hopefully properly transferred, is coming along soon. I'm assuming it will still be incomplete. I almost wish I hadn't seen the better version. Where is it? Somebody else tell me they've seen it too, please.

Please don't let my rating fool you. This is an awesome specticle of a movie - and probably my most favorite of all time. The potential of this boxed set is missed by a fair margin though. It does include a lot of hard copy material (folded poster, lobby cards, film cell), but it misses out by simply dropping in the Director's Cut version of the movie and not including the original theatrical release, or the the color storyboard info from Syd Mead's production design (found in the Criterion LD). These additions would make it more the difinitive release for true movie buffs. There's also several minutes of reconstructed footage (Holden's hospital scenes) that could be included - or even still shots that I know are out there, screen tests for the actors and SFX test shots. This should have been better put together. It does inlcude the screenplay - although its missing some pages that were apparantly missing from the original copy (there really isn't a complete copy, but it could've been reconstructed better than this). Some of the missing material still exists in the "Illustrated Blade Runner, '82" sketchbook. Whoever put this package together should have done their homework or called Ridley Scott, or Paul Sammon (Future Noir). I hope Criterion will put out their version on DVD someday .

After having read some other reviews of this DVD, I'm glad at least that I'm not the only person on the planet who wishes the 1982 version of BLADE RUNNER, with the narration and origonal ending, were made available on DVD. I don't know if for every one BLADE RUNNER fan like me who feels this way there's at least a million fans who feel that the director's cut is unquestionably superior and can't imagine why anyone would perfer the origonal cut, but let me assure you, I am not suggesting we get rid of the directors cut, (I do respect the fact that there are people who like that version better,) just that they make the BLADE RUNNER DVD with the option of being able to watch either the 1982 version or director's cut. I know Ridley Scott always wanted a film with no narration and a bleak/ uncertain ending, but I'd like him to know there are those of us who liked the film just fine the way it was first released and would very much like to still be able to watch it that way.

Also, regarding the changes, sometimes the narration does help clear things up a bit. Otherwise what WAS that weird language Gaff was speaking to Deckard the first time he met him? And as for the director's cut, how about that unicorn dream? What was THAT all about? (If it was supposed to mean anything, it went completly over my head.) Finally, the back of the case for the director's cut states that this new version provides evidence that Deckard just might be a replicant himself and not know it. If that really is true, I missed that completly when watching the director's cut as well. I noticed no evidence that Deckard just might be a replicant.

I won't go into that whole Original Vs. Director's cut debate. My feelings side with the director on this one.

What I can't believe is Warner Bros. treatment of this film. Why re-release "Blade Runner" if you're not going to add anything to the disc? The frame of film, lobby cards and posters are nice, but as a film enthusiast - and a fan of this one in particular - I'd much rather have director's commentary, or at least some trailers or featurettes. Surely a documentary isn't too much to ask for, considering everything that people seem to NEED to say about the movie. (There were nearly 300 reviews here alone when I wrote this.) I can't believe one of the best and most influential science fiction features of all time is getting the Paramount DVD treatment! (Star Trek DVDs have virtually no features either.)

I suggest you save your money and look through Amazon's book area for a book called "Future Noir", as it appears to be the closest thing we're ever going to get to a documentary or director commentary.

Great film, disappointing package. "Blade Runner" could be so much more on video.

Whats up, we get ridley's legend in both versions why not blade runner. I do like this version better, but watching the narated version is like another good type of movie. oh well. Maybe Mr. Scott will someday get off his high horse and let us see the American version as well as his English version.

Did it ever occur to anyone that without an original cut available to compare to a director's cut, then that director's cut simply becomes THE cut?

Yes, like most people I prefer the director's cut... but what is there to compare it to anymore? How are we supposed to know its superiority to what the film execs did if we can't, in fact, watch it? It hasn't been available to purchase since the early 90's and on inferior VHS at that?

80 bucks for 1 DVD and some lobby cards? Surely you jest.

We get it Mr Scott. They ruined your vision yada yada yada. But you'd really be able to gloat if we were able to see these 2 cuts side by side in the same vain as the Brazil box set. Talk about a butchering. What they did to that movie is nothing compared to what was done to Blade Runner. And yet Mr Gilliam and Criterion have released a 3 DVD set that includes the horrid 'Love Conquers All" version for us to compare to his original vision. And it's only 50 bucks.

Some of us are nostalgic for the original cut of Blade Runner we saw in the theatre 20 years ago and it is a true testament to excellent directing and storytelling that it could still be enjoyed even with the voiceover and different ending (It's also a testament to the original cut that VHS copies of the original cut go for 40 plus bucks on auction sites). If the movie hadnt have been that good you wouldnt have even been able to re-release theatrically 10 years later.

Am I right or am I right?

I still cant understand why people have such a problem with the original version of this film -- I actually prefer watching it with the voice over. I am not saying the directors cut is bad -- quite the contrary -- its still an excellent film. However having both versions of this title would be a big plus. To the would-be buyer -- I would hold out until the studio releases the definitive Blade Runner pack -- including both the studios release and the directors cut - THEN decide which one you prefer.