Blade Runner
So, I'm going to attempted to tackle Blade Runner: The FINAL Cut in this post, but you'll have to indulge me in the fact that I've seen this move about 30 times in all of it's different incarnations. This my dear TCSers is intended to be a primer on Blade Runner; not a review.
1. Blade Runner (1982) Theatrical Release- This is the one with the goofy voice over done by an obviously bored Harrison Ford. It also has a *gasp* happy ending.
This is proof positive that sometimes studios get it wrong. Dead wrong. But, when you are going up against movies like Fast Times and Ridgemont High and ET, sometimes a manufactured happy ending seems to be needed. Rent this one AFTER you've seen #2 or #3.
2. Blade Runner (1997) Director's Cut- Now, Scott, the director, had never really intended for a voice over to guide the film, but was forced to by the people financing the film. This is closer to his original vision of what Blade Runner was supposed to be. The Director's Cut also happens to be a totally different film from the theatrical release. The sappy ending is gone, it's slightly more violent, and some scenes are put in that make the movie make more sense over all. I happen to enjoy this version a lot, and I'm happy it's the first one I saw.
3. Blade Runner (2007) The FINAL Cut- Not to beat a dead horse, but yes, there is indeed a 3rd version of this film. It's been remastered beautifully, and also some additional content was added. In all honesty I really thought Scott was out to bilk fans out of hard earned cash by releasing another edition of his classic, so DH and I rented this one first. We then tossed out our old copy, ran to Best Buy, and happily plunked down ANOTHER $20.00 for a movie we already owned. So, all in all if you've never actually seen Blade Runner, and want to rent it, my suggestion is going to be to go with the FINAL Cut. Skip the Director's Cut all together if possible.
So, I'm going to attempted to tackle Blade Runner: The FINAL Cut in this post, but you'll have to indulge me in the fact that I've seen this move about 30 times in all of it's different incarnations. This my dear TCSers is intended to be a primer on Blade Runner; not a review.
1. Blade Runner (1982) Theatrical Release- This is the one with the goofy voice over done by an obviously bored Harrison Ford. It also has a *gasp* happy ending.
2. Blade Runner (1997) Director's Cut- Now, Scott, the director, had never really intended for a voice over to guide the film, but was forced to by the people financing the film. This is closer to his original vision of what Blade Runner was supposed to be. The Director's Cut also happens to be a totally different film from the theatrical release. The sappy ending is gone, it's slightly more violent, and some scenes are put in that make the movie make more sense over all. I happen to enjoy this version a lot, and I'm happy it's the first one I saw.
3. Blade Runner (2007) The FINAL Cut- Not to beat a dead horse, but yes, there is indeed a 3rd version of this film. It's been remastered beautifully, and also some additional content was added. In all honesty I really thought Scott was out to bilk fans out of hard earned cash by releasing another edition of his classic, so DH and I rented this one first. We then tossed out our old copy, ran to Best Buy, and happily plunked down ANOTHER $20.00 for a movie we already owned. So, all in all if you've never actually seen Blade Runner, and want to rent it, my suggestion is going to be to go with the FINAL Cut. Skip the Director's Cut all together if possible.