Blade Runner (Director's Cut) (1982)

this is a great sci-fi thriller. i would consider this a pre-Matrix film. unfortunately, the DVD sucks. why? the audio presentation is in 2-channel stereo. what the heck is that? this is a waste of DVD media. the worst part is that the studio has the nerve to release and distribute this as a director’s cut edition. how horrible. 2-channel stereo? i feel like i was robbed here. what a disappointment...
 
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...in my humble film-geek opinion. This is the version for fans or Sci Fi / PostMod / Noir aficionados. You see how ahead of his day Ridley Scott meant to be, before studio hacks got a hold of it. This version gives you the initally-- and intentionally-- disoriented sense that Dick's novel worked at, slowly drawing you in along several timeless threads exploring human identity, postmodern realism, awareness to time and place, relationship to others and sense of self. Scott artfully brings all the strands together at exactly the point they then come unravelled, leaving you contemplating Los Angeles 2019 with eyes specially canted to consider our world today. The released version sophomorically tried to alleviate this disorientation but nicked out essential bits that give the film a wholly different purpose from what you think you're seeing-- but you have to -think- about it to get it. It's true that there are weak points in the plot-- Ford himself once described the film as nothing more than "a story about a man who opens four boxes," referring to the undercomplexity of the crime mystery itself. But most people watch it several times before they notice or care about these flaws-- the cinematic and thematic richness of Scott's genious are spellbinding.
 
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This movie is one of my all time favorites...up there with the whole Godfather Series, Apocalypse Now & A Clockwork Orange. This movie was way ahead of it's time and will continue to be a classic.
 
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I'm curious as to what Ron P. could be seeing that leads him to believe that he's seeing "Projection screen texture" on the DVD in some scenes........Ron, just so you know, they don't shoot films off of the screen to make the transfer to DVD. My copy is also a showcase for the quality that DVD can provide...It's crisp and clear and I can only assume that something is wrong with the copy that you have. Return it, and get another. Bob.
 
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Are you running your DVD Player through an RF Modulator??? I have a factory VHS copy, a copy off a laser disk and the DVD. I use this movie to show off the picture clarity of the DVD. Just look at the neon when we first meet Decker. On both VHS versions, it is soft and fuzzy. On my DVD it is sharp and brilliant. Stop being such videophiles.....
 
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Always a big fan of this film since day one. Have had both versions on VHS for years. Was really looking forward to DVD. What did I get? VHS on disk. Poor quality image, extremely poor quality sound (with my 1000 watt system turned ALL the way up, the music was still muted). With the capabilities of DVD (the original voice-over could just as easily be an option). No explanation for this sound, if I wanted Dolby Pro Logic decoding, I'll watch my tapes, where at least you can hear the nuances of Vangelis' score. It's called "Remastering" guys, if you're not going to use the technology's advancements, don't bother to release it at all. I'm stuck with it, but you should not buy this.
 
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I for one thought I had missed some of what I remembered of the movie I had seen in the theater and on VHS, but after reading the reviews I notice that I have not lost it. The movie was more solid with Harrison Ford doing the naration. As for the ending there should have been an option to view both. I for one wish I could get a version on DVD I remember from the original.
 
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Blade Runner in of itself is one of the best Science Fiction movies ever made. Nothing has really come close to that kind of execution of that kind of story. And you can't beat the cinematograghy. However I tend to prefer the narrative dialog from the theatrical release than no dialog in the Director's cut. It lets you in on the little things you can't possibly know otherwise. Why didn't they make a DVD with the original theatrical release? The movie does have a different mood than the book, but all in all a good adaptation.
 
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This is the directors cut, it has lower picture quality, different takes, no voice over, more ambiance. All the things that the director wanted and the studio would not let him have. The happy ending is gone, the endless monolog, and the questions about Gaff. It is impossible to say you know anythign about blade runner and not see this.
 
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This is one of my favorite films.I ,however,am not satisfied with the Director's Cut.The sound is not as good as it could be,and the Picture Quality is still grainy.The voice-over removal,I think ruins the movie.The ending in the original also was better.
 
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This is one of the best science fiction classics. However, despite reading several reviews - none of which liked the director's cut - I bought it anyway. Well, I'm joining the disgruntled camp too. The movie has none of Harrison Ford's narration and the ending was just crucified. I'm still glad I've got it, but just miffed that they hacked it. The director also did Alien (another superb must have sci-fi classic) so for him to do what he did maybe says this is my problem, who knows. Anyway, I hope the Criterion guys get a hold of Blade Runner and fix it right. I'll certainly be in line to buy it.
 
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You who think they cut out the ending are wrong. The ending you are talking about is a scene from the Shining! They added that ending on the movie without the director's approval in order to make it a 'happy' ending. The original director's cut shouldn't have that ending!! This dvd movie is GREAT!
 
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This is an all time great movie. The DVD audio decodes as Pro-Logic. It is not 5.1 (AC3). Although it carries the Dolby Digital logo, that means that it is a digital soundtrack.
 
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Probably the best sci-fi movie ever. Earth is shown as an over-populated slum where the best prospects for Man lie off-planet. Androids are beginning to question their purpose in life and mortality. Thought provoking. Brilliant acting by Ford, Young, Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, & even Daryl Hannah. Rutger Hauer gave his finest performance in this movie. His potential was never realised after it as he appeared in a series of mostly forgettable B-movies.
 
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The projection screen texture is visible in some scenes, background hiss on audio track, and scratches from celluloid print, combine with the Director's personal edition of the story which omits the 'uplifting' ending, resulting in a DVD that is a rip-off at any price. The additional detail given to building the relationship between the main characters is totally lost by the omission of the original ending. In summary, the best of the original movie is cut and the quality of the DVD is no better than a home video made from cable tv. This release is a very sad disappointment to this 'Blade Runner' fan.
 
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I love this movie and have it on VHS. Bought it on DVD thinking I'd get better detail and sound. What a waste!!! Buy the VHS.
 
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If you think the DVD experience will improve your viewing pleasure, think again. Warner Video left all the original film streaks and scratches in the film. You can see the pieces of lint, dust, and dirt in the picture. There is considerable background hiss on the audio track, similar to what you hear on a CD of 60's and 70's recordings. The audio is forgiveable given the original analog recording, but Warner could have cleaned up the picture, for gosh sake.
 
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'Blade Runner' is film noire at its finest. Some people hate this movie becuase it's always dark and raining, but that was the intention! Outstanding acting by Ford and Hauer. Nearly 20 years old, this film is still entertaining to watch (look for the neon Atari sign!). The Director's cut is more eerie and thought-provoking. You see things such as close-ups of eyes and reflections within the eyes. Scenes linger a bit longer to give you a chance to become enveloped by the dark, murky vision of the future. The DVD is double-sided, one for widescreen and one for pan & scan. Awesome value from Buy.com, the best price I found on the net!
 
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The original book was much deeper into why Deckard faced meaningful emotional dilemas; the unicorn dream was just a way to fancy up a sheep for Hollywood. It's a fun flick, but if you'd like a more complex story about how people really work, read the book by Phillip K. Dick.
 
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Excellent story, acting superb, photography marvelous. Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Olmos and Sean Young made the roles of their lives in this movie. The music is fantastic. However, i still prefer the original BLADE RUNNER
 
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