Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray] Reviews

• Details & Features of Blade Runner Final Cut are announced

  
  By A2E3F04ZK7FG66 on 2007-07-28
  Due for re-release in December, this motion picture is one of the finest science fiction films of the 20th century. Part of this is because it projects a future that could be - the earth as a place with a ruined environment populated by people that couldn't or wouldn't make the jump to one of the more habitable off-world colonies. The other part is because the film questions what it means to be human, and explores the possibly unsatisfactory answers you might get if you could, like the replicants, hunt down your maker and ask him Why am I here? Why must my life end? I'll pretty much let Warner's press release do the talking from this point forward. Basically you have your choice of three different sets - 2-disc, 4-disc, and 5-disc. The discs are described as follows:
  
  Disc 1 - Ridley Scott's All-New "Final Cut" Version of the film - Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also included is commentary by Ridley Scott and a host of others that worked behind the camera.
  
  Disc 2 - Documentary - Dangerous Days: Making of Blade Runner - A feature-length documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its legacy.
  
  Disc 3 - 1982 Theatrical Version - The original that contains Deckard's narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.
  
  1982 International Version - Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.
  
  1992 Director's Cut - Omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famous "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.
  
  Disc 4 - BONUS Disc "Enhancement Archive" - Eight featurettes, image galleries, radio interview with the author, and screen tests for the part of Rachel.
  
  Disc 5 - Workprint Version - This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Rutger Hauer and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more.
  
  Also included is commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner and a featurette - "All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut".
  
  2 Disc Edition : Discs 1-2
  4 Disc Edition : Discs 1-4
  5 Disc Edition : Discs 1-5
  
  The downside of this 2-disc version is that you are only getting the Final Cut version of the film and the documentary disc. You won't get the bonus disc of featurettes, the disc of past releases, and the workprint version of the film. The upside is that the 5-disc version of the film has some expensive packaging and promotional material included that seems to really raise the price of the entire package.
  
  

• Not 1 star for teh movie, 1 star for Amazon and these reviewers

  
  By A1BZKRDRPLAA90 on 2007-07-30
  I'm not rating Blade Runner 1 star. I'm giving 1 star as a protest against Amazon and the reviewers who are rating this dvd set 5 months before it comes out.......They haven't even seen it in person. The set may be junk, how would they know.........Vid quality, Sound quality, packaging quality ??????????
  
  Amazon needs to keep the Customer Review Option closed until a product has been released, to prevent biased "people" from commenting on products they haven't been able to evaluate in person, but want to be the first to chip in their half-cent uninformed opinions, that have no basis in reality.
  
  I rate this cookie, I've never tasted, 5/5 stars because...............I think it may taste good and I want to be the first person to rate it. Doke!!!
  
  
  
  

• Details for the mis-informed

  
  By A2W8HG8UUV07EK on 2007-07-19
  Let me clear the air about this film; During the early 1990s, Warner Brothers saw a renewed interest in the film, and had screened the American theatrical cut for audiences in select markets to great fanfare. The film had not been succesful upon its release in 1982, and WB was eager to turn a new profit from it. Ridley Scott had been hampered by budgetary and timing confilcts during the entire production of the film, and complained that he was not given complete control over the film's final edit; he had not wanted the studio-imposed Harrison Ford voice-over and was upset at the forcible removal of scenes he felt were neccesary.
  In 1992, he was approached by the studio with the chance to cut a more definitive version of the film, minus the voice over and with any additional content that Scott wished to re-insert. Scott took the offer, but became entangled with the shooting of "Thelma and Louise" and could not be present during the editing process. In lou of his presence, Scott authorized the studio to have a restorationist re-assemble the film for him, and he provided them with notes and other information on how he wished the film to be edited. Point in case: Scott *was* involved with the editing of the film, albeit in an indirect way.
  Despite the work, Scott continued to maintain that studio interference and his involvment with Thelma and Louise had prevented him from cutting the film entirely the way he wanted; that's part of why this upcoming set is being produced. The set will reportedly include the American and European Theatrical cuts (the European cut had about 2 minutes of extra footage), the 1992 "Director's Cut" and (hopefully) a final, definitive cut of the film, all remastered with digital sound.
  
  

• Always fixing, but never broken in the first place.

  
  By AVQJD41PLPOOQ on 2007-10-08
  I had the opportunity to see the new "Final Cut" of BLADE RUNNER on screen in New York City this past weekend. As always, it's one of my favorite science fiction films of all time and I welcome any opportunity to see it on the big screen, in any version.
  
  First, I have to say that I saw this when it was first released in June 1982. The original theatrical version with Harrison Ford's voice-over and the Hollywood happy ending is still and will always be my favorite version. That said, the only thing I can honestly claim is an improvement with the "Final Cut" is the sharper, remastered print. As far as the film itself, it is almost completely identical to the 1992 Director's Cut. There are some extra pieces of dialogue and extended scenes thrown in, which in my opinion, don't expand the film at all. The added scenes of violence are not new to the BLADE RUNNER fan. They've been available for view ever since the film first appeared on video cassette in the '80's.
  
  If you already own the Director's Cut of BLADE RUNNER on DVD, then save your money. Buying it all over again for the "Final Cut" will not gain you much, except a larger hole in your wallet.
  
  

• One can only hope

  
  By A1GHUN5HXMHZ89 on 2007-05-10
  The previous DVD versions never included the original theater release. That is why I have held onto my VHS copy for so long. One can only hope that the original release will be included in the Essential 25th Anniversary Collection now called the Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition which may change again by release time. It is suppose to, but then from what I have heard it still will not include the original Vangelis score. I can certainly appreciate the Directors Cut Blade Runner - The Director's Cut (Remastered Limited Edition), I just happen to prefer the theater released version. I like Deckard's narrative throughout the movie, sometimes referred to as Film Noir, and the scene of him and the girl flying away to Canada with some great scenery and music at the end. It seemed a little less dark with a bit more hope at the conclusion. I will snap this up in a heartbeat if this is the theater release. If it is another directors cut only release I will tell them to bite me. If you like the Director's cut that is fine, I'm glad you have what you want. Don't criticize us if we want something that was taken from us. If you have seen a movie in the theater and then seen it changed to something less, I can't believe you wouldn't want to have the full version. When George Lucas changed the original "Star Wars" it wasn't to take something away, but to add some special effects that he couldn't do originally. But I have to agree with a comment I got, they are still entitled to the original version as well. In the Blade Runner director's cut, dialogue and a scene are removed. No additions, just subtractions. So stop being critical of my review if I want the whole enchilada. By the way why don't we let the book critics weigh in on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" while we're at it. I'm sure they will tell you neither movie version was like the book. Ask me if I care it wasn't the same as the book. I read to folks, but if I hold my breath till the movie = book, I will be dead much longer than the oldest pharoah has been.
  
  Three comments:
  
  One person pointed out that Ridley Scott was not responsible for the Director's Cut. You notice I never mentioned him in my review. I am aware the studio was behind it.
  
  A couple others pointed out they like the original "Star Wars", so do I, and I have to agree we are still entitled to the original version as well. That is kind of my whole argument here, everyone should be entitled to the original theater releases.
  
  Another person asked, "Why are we posting reviews already?". Fair question, now go look at reviews I posted at "Shoot to Kill", "The Enemy Below", "Journey to the Center of the Earth", et cetera. I posted them pre-release of DVDs to make sure there was a release. Do you think studios ignore these reviews? They do not. I regularly get invitations to write reviews at other sites and have spoken to some of the studios about planned releases. So I want to thank all the people posting reviews and voting here, it does make a difference.
  
  You folks complaining about our pre-reviews need to go work with the kids that like to brag about how they beat a game or quest by themsleves instead of giving useful information on where it was or how to beat it in reviews and forums all over the internet. Your lack of interest in pre-reviews serves no positive input to those of us that are interested to find out what we can about this upcoming release. I hope you realize when I first wrote this review it was but a dream to get the original release. All there was is a fill in your e-mail and we will let you know if and when this will come out on DVD. The name at that time was Blade Runner Definitive Release. There were no images here and certainly no details. So I hope that helps to show that the interest people took in this area I am sure played at least some part in making it happen. I want to thank all those that posted information as it became available for those of us that think pre-reviews are important. Saying you don't like pre-reviews is like saying, don't tell me that car is going to hit me. I don't want to know about the possible future. If that's the way you feel, why are you posting about a SciFi movie? As for those claiming these really aren't reviews, you will note the Amazon link says "Write Review", I think they know what they are even if you don't.
  
  
• Gee. . .I always liked the narration. . .
  By A3VAXXMIYHZ3LY on 2007-11-23
  Yep, I have to throw in my two cents with those who kinda liked the narration in the original theatrical release of BLADE RUNNER. When I saw the film in its first run, being a big fan of Film Noir, I LOVED the idea of a Raymond Chandleresque voiceover, shweetheart. For me, it just added to the overall darkness of the story. Foolish me. I thought it was SUPPOSED to be that way! When the "Director's Cut" appeared on VHS and later DVD, I found out that Ridley Scott and the Warners folks had a tussle with the final cut of BLADE RUNNER. It's not unusual, and I really don't think that the film studios are comprised of totally evil beings--sometimes they are right! Think Darryl F. Zanuck and David O. Selznick. In any case, I liked the narration, and I'm glad that this set will have it both ways.
  
  
• This is the set to get!
  By A22JZSJ03VR904 on 2007-08-06
  Do we really need five versions of the film? This is definitely the set to get...four versions of the film plus two discs full of extras for only $25!!! Save the extra cash and go with the four-disc collector's edition of this groundbreaking science-fiction classic!
  
  
• Finally!
  By A3JJ72KZF8MUZX on 2007-07-26
  USA Today reported that this edition will available on December 18, 2007.
  
  Details:Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector's Edition, $79, five standard DVDs. (Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD versions planned; no price yet.) Four versions of the film, plus a remastered "work print." Though Scott re-edited the film for a 1992 release, he has tinkered further, creating his "final cut" for the 25th anniversary. Scott says it "now is in its purest form."
  
  Among changes: A longer "unicorn" scene. During the commentary, Scott explains that it's pivotal because the symbolism re-enforces Scott's thinking that Deckard (Harrison Ford) is not human, but a replicant. Plus: enhanced special effects, a new surround soundtrack. Bonuses include a new making-of documentary.
  
  Also: The "final cut" will be shown in New York and L.A. theaters this fall and at film festivals in Venice (Aug. 29-Sept. 8) and New York (Sept. 28-Oct. 14).
  
  
  
• Bladerunner the theatrical release
  By A1LU9I7D84ZQ7A on 2007-09-10
  With all due respect to Mr. Ridley Scott, the very first time one sees an epic science fiction film of this proportion, it kind of sticks with you, indelibly. I've been waiting for the theatrical release of Bladerunner on DVD for over twenty years. It's about time!
  
  
• ALL FIVE VERSIONS OF THE FILM IN FULL HI-DEF!!!! STOP THE MISINFORMATION!!!!
  By A1R283L4SH4UP8 on 2007-12-05
  This is from Hi-Def Digest printed in August:
  
  Responding to persistent questions from early adopters on both sides of the aisle, Warner has provided further details on the exact configuration of its upcoming high-def 'Blade Runner' releases.
  
  As officially announced late last month, Warner Home Entertainment will at last be debuting the definitive 'Blade Runner' in two editions apiece on Blu-ray and HD DVD. Set to street on December 18 are 'Blade Runner: The Complete Collector's Edition' and the even more elaborately-packaged 'Blade Runner: The Ultimate Collector's Edition,' each a five-disc set boasting several different versions of the film and hours of newly-produced bonus content.
  
  Since that announcement, speculation has run rampant over just how much of the material on these mammoth sets would be presented in full high-definition. (Warner famously released the HD DVD edition of 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' last May with the final two discs presented in standard-def, a fact that wasn't revealed until just days before that disc's release.)
  
  This time around, the studio apparently going the full disclosure route, revealing to Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits that while all five versions of the film included on the next-gen releases are being mastered in actual 1080p video, all of supplementary materials (including the new documentary "Dangerous Days," and the deleted scenes) will be presented in 480p standard definition only.
  
  According to Hunt, Warner says the reason for this has nothing to do with disc space on either format, but rather the compressed time schedule in which the various extras are being produced.
  
  Warner has set a $39.95 list price for the five-disc 'Complete Collector's Edition' of 'Blade Runner,' while the deluxe 'Ultimate Collector's Edition' (featuring the same disc configurations but with special "Deckard Briefcase" packaging and other collectibles) will list for $99.95.
  
  We've added these latest details to our disc details pages for each of the four next-gen editions of 'Blade Runner', which you'll linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our HD DVD Release Schedule, under December 18.
  
  You can also discuss the various editions of 'Blade Runner' in our Forums area -- click the following links to visit our dedicated threads for the 'Blade Runner' Blu-ray releases or the 'Blade Runner' HD DVD releases.
  
  
• I've seen the Final Cut in an LA Theatre Digitally Projected
  By A3ONV5EXHKNCJV on 2007-10-17
  This Final Cut is so worthwhile. Its the real directors's cut. The previous "Director's Cut" from a few years back was just a workprint they rediscovered. Ridley Scott has tightened everything up and restored scenes. The wide city shots from above are breathtaking. The score has been sweetened using the most up to date equipment and made to engulf you in the atmospher. The movie flows so well, makes so much more sense.
  
  SPOILER ALERT: It is so clear that Deckard is conceived a replicant from the get-go, just like the book its based on. This fact puts every scene in context and clearly shows that Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) is the real hero of the film.
  
  I saw the movie two times this month (Oct. 2007) digitally projected at the LA Landmark Theater and it was stunning and flowed beautifully. And the ending is so right on now. With Deckard realizing at the end he is a replicant, they really capture a great deal of what Philip K. Dick was exploring in his original novel.
  
  
• Rediscovering a classic film
  By AQP1VPK16SVWM on 2007-12-22
  Wow. Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" looks absolutely stunning in its Blu-ray presentation. Aside from Orson Welles' "Mr. Arkadin", there probably hasn't been a movie as fiddled with as "Blade Runner". This set features the 1) theatrical cut from 1982, 2) the "International Cut" which appeared on cable 3)the "Work Print" version which was premiered for a test audience and, aside from a showing at a film festival, hasn't been seen since 3)"The Director's Cut" which was created after the buzz from the "Work Print" showing and created by Scott with Terry Rawlings the original editor tweaking the film (by eliminating the narration, adding in a Unicorn dream sequence -borrowed outtakes from "Legend" when the original footage couldn't be found-and with the more uncertain ending. The the film was trimmed here and there as well) and 4)"The Final Cut" where Warner gave Scott, Rawlings and DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika the chance to go back and do fixes that Scott had always wanted to do such as digitally eliminating the cables lifting the Spinners, digitally eliminating crew members that were accidently seen in the edge of the frame, fixing continuity errors, backgrounds and tweaking the opening with the eye a bit.
  
  The result is a "Blade Runner" OCD fan's dream--every version of the movie plus a brilliant three hour documentary "Dangerous Days" (Hampton Fancher's original title for his screenplay of Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?)directed by de Lauzirika (who used to be an assistant at Scott's Scott Free Productions)featuring archival and new interviews with all the usual suspects. I'm not sure if this was isolated to my disc but the documentary would occasionally stop for no reason. It could be that the firmware on my unit needs to be updated but I thought I would bring this up if others have any problems with the set.
  
  
  The extras would take a day to run through. In the documentary we get a huge volume of deleted/alternate scenes, a pair of fascinating screen tests for the roles of Pris and Rachael (actors that were the first runners up for the roles), commentary tracks by author Paul Sammon (who wrote a series of terrific articles and a very good book on the film Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner), Scott, producer Michael Deeley, Production Executive Katherine Haber, Visual Futurist Syd Mead along with Visual Effects Supervisors Douglas Trumbull and Richard Yuricich and writers Hampton Fancher & David Peoples (who pointedly state that they never intended Deckard to be a Replicant--Scott may feel that way in retrospect but I have always felt that it was much more metaphorical with Deckard becoming like a Replicant and rediscovering his humanity from Batty--something that adds power to the ending of the film. I suspect that Scott wasn't sure when he shot the film but has become convinced over the years that he did indeed intend that from the beginning).
  
  Packaged in a very nice, slim Blu-ray case with a booklet featuring stills from the film, "Blade Runner" finally gets the love that it deserves. Luckily for us it didn't take a Criterion or 50 years to allow the film to get the recognition and appreciation it deserved (only 25). Even with its minor flaws, this is a classic and one of Scott's best films.
  
  
• High-Def Top Pick!
  By A2Y3XHH5DIEU0I on 2007-10-22
  To clear up for some people, like b. Trout, who would rather write an idiotic review instead of reading just a little bit, this is the "Collector's Edition" It comes with much more than just the 5-disc movie feature, but also special packaging for collectors. The stand-alone package is also available. Which still includes the 5-discs (not just one disc) with a standard price, if not a fantastic one! Not only can you get this great deal for a legendary film, but you can also choose between Blu-Ray and HDDVD! 4 options total!
  
  Fantastic job fulfilling the needs of many fans to celebrate this timeless classic. I really hope that there's a metal briefcase under my Xmas tree this year. That "one-star" review should be removed and b. Trout should be banned from the internet for one month. Never ever "1-star" Bladerunner. Never!
  
  
• "Wake up. Time to die."
  By A3AAK33K3BUUTM on 2007-12-29
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RBXHJQVXZ9HBK Sorry about the quality (or lack thereof) of the video segment; I had like 15 minutes to git 'er done and this was the only take where I didn't blank out and stare at the camera for half a minute.
  
  So "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" is finally here after over 25 years of waiting and the million dollar question is: do I double dip? The answer is an absolute "yes". Even if the 3 1/2 hours of documentary on this measly two-disc edition isn't enough, you can always upgrade to one of the killer boxed-sets available and get the other versions of the film as well. Not that anybody in their right mind would want to see the lame tacked-on "happily ever after" BS ending that was forced onto the theatrical cut instead of this or the director's cut. If special features and alternate cuts aren't your thing, there's still the fact that this restored edition looks and sounds AMAZING. Make no mistake, this is the treatment one should expect from a classic film of this caliber. Eat it, George Lucas. "Blade Runner" is an absolute necessity for sci-fi fans or film buffs in general and this is the way you wanna see it. After seeing Ridley Scott's realistic and gritty vision of the future here and in Alien it is really hard to picture our future being any other way.
  
  Buy it. Buy it now. Buy it for your friends. Buy it for the children. Buy it because you love film.
  
  
  
• Blade Runner Bloat(ed) Box
  By A342IEDJSX0WPL on 2007-10-02
  One-star for greed, five-stars for an available single HD disc.
  
  Ok, I loved Blade Runner on first viewing. I saw it in a theater with a bunch of idiots that didn't like it. I heard the cat calls and boos. I yelled to them, "go see Kung Fu movies air-heads". I've owned a VHS of Blade Runner, a DVD of the first directors cut, and I was hoping for a HD disc. Good so far. The HD version arrives! Bad news, you've got to get a whole five-disc "give the greedy studio billionaires your money" box set. Not everyone is valeting their Land Rover in Studio City to run into the local DVD-Utopia to pay full retail for a bloating five-disc set. Some of us Blade Runner fans want the HD version, as in singular, as in one HD disc! Don't say I'm not a big Blade Runner fan because I won't pony up for a bloated box set, I liked Star Wars too, but I didn't dress up in a ridicules Luke Skywalker costume outside the cinema either. So just remember this: (sic) "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack marketers on fire off the shoulder of the 405. I watched Gucchi bags glitter in the dark near the Virgin Megastore. All those overpriced box sets should be lost in time, like tears in rain."
  
  
  
• Movie's great, but why no 5 disc version in SD?
  By A1DGAYHCDXE7FU on 2007-10-12
  The movie itself is 5 starts, but what Warner's doing now is not cool, hence the three stars. If you want the "working" cut, you either have to go to the "ultimate" collection and pay $30 more, or buy one of the HD releases, which offer the five disc collection in a non "ultimate" edition for just $3 more than the four disc version.
  
  Looks like they're starting to push HD by offering extra features in teh HD releases. This may be a repeat of earlier campaigns where the studios try to push people to go out and buy many of the same movies they already have again, only in the new format.
  
  
• ALL FIVE VERSIONS ARE HI-DEF!!! STOP THE MISINFORMATION!!!
  By A1R283L4SH4UP8 on 2007-12-05
  As Originally printed in Hi Def Digest in August:
  
  Responding to persistent questions from early adopters on both sides of the aisle, Warner has provided further details on the exact configuration of its upcoming high-def 'Blade Runner' releases.
  
  As officially announced late last month, Warner Home Entertainment will at last be debuting the definitive 'Blade Runner' in two editions apiece on Blu-ray and HD DVD. Set to street on December 18 are 'Blade Runner: The Complete Collector's Edition' and the even more elaborately-packaged 'Blade Runner: The Ultimate Collector's Edition,' each a five-disc set boasting several different versions of the film and hours of newly-produced bonus content.
  
  Since that announcement, speculation has run rampant over just how much of the material on these mammoth sets would be presented in full high-definition. (Warner famously released the HD DVD edition of 'The Ultimate Matrix Collection' last May with the final two discs presented in standard-def, a fact that wasn't revealed until just days before that disc's release.)
  
  This time around, the studio apparently going the full disclosure route, revealing to Bill Hunt at The Digital Bits that while all five versions of the film included on the next-gen releases are being mastered in actual 1080p video, all of supplementary materials (including the new documentary "Dangerous Days," and the deleted scenes) will be presented in 480p standard definition only.
  
  According to Hunt, Warner says the reason for this has nothing to do with disc space on either format, but rather the compressed time schedule in which the various extras are being produced.
  
  Warner has set a $39.95 list price for the five-disc 'Complete Collector's Edition' of 'Blade Runner,' while the deluxe 'Ultimate Collector's Edition' (featuring the same disc configurations but with special "Deckard Briefcase" packaging and other collectibles) will list for $99.95.
  
  We've added these latest details to our disc details pages for each of the four next-gen editions of 'Blade Runner', which you'll linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our HD DVD Release Schedule, under December 18.
  
  You can also discuss the various editions of 'Blade Runner' in our Forums area -- click the following links to visit our dedicated threads for the 'Blade Runner' Blu-ray releases or the 'Blade Runner' HD DVD releases.
  
  
• Best Sci-Fi Film
  By AI97HSVGM378S on 2007-09-20
  5+ stars easily. A great sci-fi book by P K Dick was turned into a great movie directed by the talented Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, ...) Harrison Ford is perfect and there are a number of other well-known actors in this such as Rutger Hauer, who is amazing in his role. I think I read that he came up with part of his closing monologue. The music is by Vangelis.
  
  The tempestuous story of its filming has been documented in books. I really think that this is a sci-fi movie that can be put on the level of, say, Metropolis in terms of its influence, themes, and being ahead of the curve. This isn't Wookies or Jar-Jar (Lucas' closest film to this was THX 1138). This is a man who is starting to wonder what separates him from the humanoids he is supposed to "retire".
  
  About the book vs the movie-- I think Dick's writing can be very uneven but this novel is first class. While remaining largely faithful to the book, the movie does simplify things a bit by leaving off some of the book's religious/psychological themes. There's a religion called Mercerism in the book that is based on empathy, and people have a fetish about owning live animals although mostly only replicants are available. (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) People also frequently use a Mood Organ to give themselves synthetic happiness - in the novel, Decker's wife is in a haze.
  
  
  
  
• The Masterpiece
  By A1GMHQKSFY0R7E on 2007-03-01
  Finally, one of the most sought after films (soon) available on DVD. Having seen four other versions of the movie, I have longed to see the version I did when I sat agape in a theater in twenty-five years ago. It took a while, but I am extremely grateful to (soon) be able to watch this again. On DVD. Thank you. :)
  
  
• Hard to believe it has been 25 years
  By A1A535W556ROBQ on 2007-09-14
  It is great to see Blade Runner finally being the deluxe treatment. With so many options, it is hard to choose, but this 5-disc Blu-ray edition seems like the most value for your money, but then I guess some will pay twice the price and go for the fancy box that comes with the ultimate colector's edition.
  
  Blade Runner has long deserved better treatment than it has been given over the years. This is one of the quintessential science fiction movies, based on Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep. Of course, Blade Runner is a more catchy title and Ridley Scott took a lot of liberties with the story, but he created a masterwork in the process.
  
  Blade Runner paints a distopic vision of the future set in a murky Los Angeles, where Deckard (Harrison Ford) tracks down androids that have escaped from their work colonies. He meets his match in Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), an android who has taken on many human features and seeks out his maker. While the movie has many shades of Metropolis and other great science fiction films of the past, it is very much a unique work and has garnered much critical attention over the years. If one can, one should experience the movie in 70 mm, as it will simply blow you away with its visual effects.
  
  It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since it was first released. The collection offers numerous versions of the movie, including the all important workprint version.
  
  
• Amazon - Please retrain your less experienced staff
  By A2UF7ZVH6B6IWV on 2007-12-09
  There is enough confusion already on this page about what is Hi-Def or not on the set ( now clarified thank you ) but it really doesn't help when your staff ( who obviously know absolutely nothing about high defintion discs ) list the region as region coded 1 !!! some tips for you to pass on to your employees.....
  
  1) Warner Bros Blu ray discs are virtually all pan region (ABC) and capable of being played anywhere in the world.
  
  2) Blu ray region coding is not divided into numbers like dvds (12345) they are divided by letters, please feel free to use the following chart for help
  
  A North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
  
  B Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
  
  C India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central and South Asia.
  
  I hope that helps somewhat and your employees can now stop confusing people unnecessarily....remember many US Blu Ray dics are multi region (ABC) discs, as I suspect is this set from Blade Runner so please remove the "region 1" classification which is incorrect whichever way you look at it.
  
  
• It's nice to have choice, but this seems wasteful
  By A16X2Y192CJP73 on 2007-08-01
  Not sure why one would buy the 4 disk SE and not the 5 disk SE, but I am sure people have their reasons. Price might be an issue, with the extra disk costing $25 more. If you're not that big of a fan than you should for the 2-disk edition and not the 4 disk edition. If you are a big fan you should just for the 5-disk. To see a workprint of a film is a rare and wonderful thing indeed (the workprint is in fact the extra disk of the 5 disk version). I have the feeling that the 4 disk version won't be around for a long time, with most people opting for the two options above.
  
  
• I've seen the Final Cut in an LA Theatre Digitally Projected
  By A3ONV5EXHKNCJV on 2007-10-17
  This Final Cut is so worthwhile. Its the real directors's cut. The previous "Director's Cut" from a few years back was just a workprint they rediscovered. Ridley Scott has tightened everything up and restored scenes. The wide city shots from above are breathtaking. The score has been sweetened using the most up to date equipment and made to engulf you in the atmospher. The movie flows so well, makes so much more sense.
  
  SPOILER ALERT: It is so clear that Deckard is conceived a replicant from the get-go, just like the book its based on. This fact puts every scene in context and clearly shows that Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) is the real hero of the film.
  
  I saw the movie two times this month (Oct. 2007) digitally projected at the LA Landmark Theater and it was stunning and flowed beautifully. And the ending is so right on now. With Deckard realizing at the end he is a replicant, they really capture a great deal of what Philip K. Dick was exploring in his original novel.
  
  
• Blade Runner - 5 discs - I said WOW!
  By AP6KD2I02H20I on 2007-08-04
  Blade Runner is an amazing film in many ways. It is very artistic, reflective and overall a wonderful piece of cinema that will hold up over the years despite being released in 1982. Ridley Scott is a superb director and this is one of his best films and is one of my personal favorites. Harrison Ford also does a wonderful job and the story will keep you thinking long after watching this. What is great about this set is that you don't have to worry, "which version should I get?" because it comes with all of them! How cool is that? FIVE DISCS for ONLY 27.95? Amazing. This is THE version of the film to buy, and in high-def. I've been waiting on this for YEARS. Also Blade Runner and music fans, may I suggest the Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis. (UPC 0 7567-82623-2 6) The expanded soundtrack features more music from the score not released in the film and is just as powerful and evocative as the movie.
  
  
• Finally, the ultimate edition for the ultimate fans
  By A1SZ96GUXBBDLX on 2007-10-03
  The words "Ultimate Edition" are thrown around a lot with DVDs these days. But this one finally looks to live up to, and even exceed, the word "Ultimate".
  
  Fans of Blade Runner have been in for a rough treatment over the years. For a time getting a genuine copy of Blade Runner on DVD was a rarity because there were so few in print. The movie was not the darling of the film world when it first come out, so being a fan of Blade Runner back then was like being in a small dedicated cult. Which is exactly the best way to describe Blade Runner, the biggest cult classic of all time.
  
  We were also tempted with rumours of the famous "master copy", the copy of Blade Runner that had no alterations to it, nothing cut out and no voice overs added in. The want, no the NEED for this master copy was tremendous with us fans, not least of all because there has been so much said about which version is best, talks about how Ridley Scott was forced to do a screen freindly version, how Harrison Ford was forced to do a voice over at the last minute (which is he allegedly did half arsed in the hope that it would be unusable and wouldn't make the cut) and we were even given a "directors cut" which not even the director was happy with. But here it is in this ultimate collectors edition, all copies of the movie AND the master cut in HD DVD. It really doesn't get any better than this.
  
  Well it does actually. You get all the extras that Blade Runner dvds had been missing all these years, you get it all in a Voight-Kampff style suitcase (Voight-Kampff being the famous android test from the films), you get the famous spinner toy car (the flying car that was even referenced in the Star Wars movies, look it up on imdb), you get a cheeky reference to the famous endings I was talking about with the unicorn figurine. You even get one of those movie frames that people keep putting on their book cases, you know like the star wars film frames some people have. It's all here and it's all coming soon, and it is all worth 70 measly bucks after a 25 year wait. For hardcore Blade Runner/sci fi fans I couldn't recommend this enough. For movie fans there is the same set on HD DVD, but you don't get the physical extras like the figurines or the suitcase, but it is half the price of the suitcase edition.
  
  25 years in the making this collectors edition was, and it looks like we are finally being rewarded for our enthusiasm for this film. And what an outstanding reward it is =D
  
  
• Finally!
  By A2D90SYLHNB6YP on 2007-10-25
  I can't believe how stuffy Mr. Emerson comes off sounding in his review above. I couldn't stand the 'Director's Cut' version of this wonderful movie, and I was quite angry that they didn't include the original version on the DVD when it was originally released. Now we can finally see the film in it's original. Mr. Emerson doesn't like Harrison Ford's voice over, but to me it added just the right touch of 'world-weary gumshoe detective' to the film. That odd contrast of old-fashioned detective story with futuristic vision and spectacular music by Vangelis is what makes me love this movie so much. Shame also on Vangelis for releasing the movie 'soundtrack' without including my favorite piece of music from the film - "Prologue and Main Titles".
  
  
• Specs Revealed for Blade Runner at Comic Con...and it is 5 discs.
  By A2YMVTE6XRMOTR on 2007-10-10
  This is straight from Blu-ray.com.
  
  Details of contents of the Blu-ray edition:
  Disc One:
  RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
  
  * Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:
  * Commentary by Ridley Scott
  * Commentary by Executive Producer/ Co-Screenwriter Hampton Fancher and Co-Screenwriter David Peoples; Producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber
  * Commentaries by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer
  
  Disc Two:
  DOCUMENTARY DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNERA feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.
  Disc Three:
  1982 THEATRICAL VERSIONThis is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene. 1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSIONAlso used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version. 1992 DIRECTOR'S CUTThe Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.
  Disc Four:
  BONUS DISC - "Enhancement Archive"
  
  * Featurette The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick
  * Featurette Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film
  * Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (Audio)
  * Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Cover Gallery (Images)
  * The Art of Blade Runner (Image Galleries)
  * Featurette Signs of the Times: Graphic Design
  * Featurette Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling
  * Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
  * Featurette The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
  * Unit Photography Gallery
  * Deleted & Alternate Scenes
  * 1982 Promotional Featurettes
  * Trailers & TV Spots
  * Featurette Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art
  * Marketing & Merchandise Gallery (Images)
  * Featurette Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard
  * Featurette Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers
  
  Disc 5:
  WORKPRINT VERSION (newly remastered)This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more.
  
  * Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
  * Featurette All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut
  
  
• The Best Value
  By AKXTEXOM411YJ on 2007-12-04
  I've waited a long time for this set. I'm lucky enough that the first time I saw Blade Runner was in Leicester Square 1982 and saw the International Version. I too prefer the narration, and was peeved to hear Harrison Ford say that he tried to muff the delivery so they wouldn't use it. The '92 Directors cut was awful - Unicorn? Anyway, glad to know the International cut is in this set. I'm a huge BR fan but don't need to pay an extra thirty bucks for the work print disc and a shiny case.
  
  
• Definition of Definitive
  By A2EEHYGQJJC0OV on 2007-05-23
  All the press about this DVD release is that it's going to include four different versions of the film: the original 1982 U.S. theater release, the original international release (which contained a little more violence, basically; it's been available on VHS before), the 1992 director's cut, and then the new "definitive" Ridley Scott cut with updated special effects and everything supposedly just the way Scott wants it.
  
  I'm starting to get concerned about the release though. The original press releases about this DVD said that the director's cut would get a limited reissue in late 2006 (which did happen), then the new definitive cut would get a brief theatrical release this year before hitting DVD soon after. That was all said last year. I haven't seen a thing about a theatrical release or a DVD release for this year. Anyone heard anything new?
  
  For the record, I'm a fan of all the versions and flipped over the 1982 theatrical release, but I prefer the director's cut. I much prefer the ambiguous ending, and the unicorn scene making you wonder about Deckard's character. After seeing the director's cut, I felt that the original narration, in particular over Batty's death scene, made me feel like the studio believed I wouldn't understand the movie otherwise. Give me some credit, studio!
  
  And the original's ending always did feel like a cop-out to me to make the audience feel happy. Remember that the studio took the film from Scott and tacked on that ending, using extra footage from Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining"! It wasn't fair, when you hadn't seen a clear sky the entire film, to tack beautiful scenery on at the end. That took away from everything you'd seen before about enticing people to leave Earth for the Offworld colonies. Why leave Earth, or even live in the city, when there was still scenery like that to run to? I thought the ending of the director's cut was much better, leaving it all up to the viewer.
  
  Regardless, no matter which version you see, it's one of the best and most influential science fiction films ever made.
  
  
• Where's info on Vangelis' magical score?
  By AZ38NWVUA1SRG on 2007-08-14
  As HOT as I am to get my hands on the 5 disc package. I'm getting a little nervous about the gift that Vangelis gave to this incredible piece of art. Nothing given about a possible separate audio track for his music that he truly gave his heart and his soul to. Nothing listed in the documentaries/ alternate features of BR. Was he interviewed for it? Or was he ever interviewed about his luminous score over the 25 years since the films release? With the multitude of tracks available on dvd I'll be PISSED if the five different versions do not contain a single isolated Vangelis track. His score is equally as legend as the film itself.
  
  I'm a fan of both BR and Vangelis. The fans of the Greek Gods' compositions over the years since BR have had an undying will of force to track down anything remotely related to his blissful score layered in rich atmosphere. Like those mysterious alternate soundtracks that used to be found on Ebay until a few years ago. The Gongo release is the second best one other than the 12 year delayed original version by Vangelis, which was released by Warner music.
  
  Warner Bros. has been proudly proclaiming that they have all the rights issues handled to release this the way the filmmakers wanted it. Since they have the film and the score why haven't they included his participation in the upcoming notes? Maybe the fans STILL won't be able to enjoy All These Moments all in one place.
  
  

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