Blade Runner: Final Cut (4K UHD/BD)

The Film: In my opinion, one of the greatest science-fiction films ever made. It was released in 1982 and to this day nothing comes close; visually, aurally, and maybe even emotionally. The cast and crew put their blood, sweat, and tears into this and it shows in every frame. In spite of all this, you'll either love it or hate it, but give it at least two viewings before you decide, there are a lot of subtleties to pick up on. This is not an action film, it's a noir and also a bit on the artsy side (and it pains me to use this word, I don't consider myself to be an artsy person). The first time I watched it my thoughts were along the line of "...Okay?", I went back to it a year later and it all just suddenly clicked. I now place it among my top favorite films and I've seen it at least six times in the few years since. Everything about it is just flawless, the writing, the acting, the sets and lighting, the music etc. all come together to create a stunning whole (I could praise the sets and music until I'm blue in the face, amazing). When you watch it, be sure and do it right; watch it late at night, lights out, without any distractions (in fact, this is one of the few movies that I prefer to watch alone), it's the only way to do it. This is not a daytime, friends over and chatting movie, you'll ruin it for yourself. Again, give it at least two tries before you make up your mind on it. Many, many people dislike it at first glance (probably in part because it's so different from the mainstream and what we are accustomed to) but it often grows on them upon subsequent viewings. The Final Cut Edition: Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. I don't have a Blu-Ray player or the latest greatest television, but even on DVD on my 32" 720p LCD it looks fantastic. Beautifully remastered picture and sound, and the scene extensions, while all short, are a welcome addition. They also did a really great job digitally adding Zhora's real face back in, to where it no longer looks like a stuntwoman with an afro-wig. It truly is seamless now. Fear not however, this is not a George Lucas style re-release and it is not wildly altered, it is absolutely the original Blade Runner film that everyone knows and loves, only it has now been brought to perfection. The big issue that will divide some viewers is the voice-over narration, or rather, the lack thereof. Personally, I prefer it without the narration (I just thought it sounded really cheesy and poorly done and detracted from the greatness of the film), the lack of narration only makes me enjoy the Final Cut even more, but I know that some people prefer it with the narration and if you really have to have it then look elsewhere, it is entirely absent here. The cheesy tacked-on ending (the one that included landscape footage from the shooting of "The Shining") was also axed and now we get a good one that better fits the nature of the film (again, my opinion). There is also a few hours worth of documentary on the second disc that I enjoyed. All-in-all, a must-own. Yes, it's true, you might not like it, but you owe it to yourself to give it a chance (two chances). It may just end up becoming a favorite and drawing you deep into its beautifully bleak world as it did with me. Highly, highly recommended, this is a masterpiece in every sense.

This is a fantastic movie in its own right, even if it's not necessarily a faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Without question or doubt, this film; more specifically, this version of this film, is now a genuine masterpiece. I remember seeing this film in the theatre back in 82. I was not impressed -- not in the slightest. That voice-over -- good god -- what a horrible idea that was. And all the silly, blatant goofs: Not just the dove ascending into a perfectly blue sky after having established that it is night, heavily overcast and raining. The cheap, cheesy wig Zhora's stunt double wears while being killed. These are the most glaring. The mismatched dialogue when Deckart is speaking to the snake salesman -- just awful; and blindingly obvious. That moronic, stupid "happy" ending, that has nothing to do with the rest of the film, parts of which were lifted from the outtakes made by Kubrick for The Shining. There are others, but these goofs are the ones that really stand out, really call attention to themselves; more like SCREAM attention to themselves. But now, this film moves along seamlessly, beautifully, flawlessly, beginning to end. Each shot could be lifted from the film and mounted on the wall as a masterpiece of photography. It all simply took my breath away. Mostly due to the masterful restoration. Gorgeous! There's one other aspect of this film that I noticed this time: When I saw it in the theatre back in the 80s, it seemed to crawl along. But now, I didn't even notice the passage of time. I started the film; and before I knew it, the end credits were rolling. I was not bored or distracted; not even for a moment. And as far as I'm concerned, the two crimes a film can commit which I consider unforgivable is 1) not making me care about the characters, and 2) being boring. A film that bores me or fails to make me care for the characters heads for the garbage. But Blade Runner, the Final Cut is perfect, compelling and gripping, and I actually cared about what was happening, mostly to the hero: Roy Batty. Just as an aside: Deckart is NOT the hero. He is the villain. Roy Batty is the one being threatened with death, unjustly, unfairly. Deckart is the assassin. And Tyrell is the Supreme Evil One; the Darth Vader; the Satan who creates and then destroys life. Roy actually manages to kill the Supreme Evil One and escape; but ultimately, he cannot escape the evil Tyrell designed into him. So when Batty dies in the end, and Deckart escapes with the girl, it is a twist on the usual plot resolution. It flips the usual resolution, because in this case, the villain gets the girl and the hero dies. The film, therefore, is a TRAGEDY. It is a tragedy in the classical sense. Again, I must point out that I never give 5 stars to any film, unless it proves to be a work of cinematic art, perfect in every respect. So far, I've given 5 stars to no film that I've yet reviewed. This will be the first that earns from me 5 stars -- and well deserved.

Een van die films waar het beeld en de fotografie wezenlijk bijdraagt tot de sfeer en geheel van de film. Met zo'n mooie 4K transfer wordt die nog beter!

Great movie

Goed

Per un appassionato di questo cult è consigliatissimo avere questa versione. Il rendering video attualizza un film che risentiva degli anni mentre l Atmos seppur solo in inglese ti permette una immersione nella visione (in particolare con la pioggia presente spesso). Bello

Great addition for your syfy collection