8.7 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
In a future of high-tech possibility soured by urban and social decay, a 21st-century detective is on the trail of four fugitive replicants—cloned humans that are now illegal—and is drawn to a mystery woman whose secrets may undermine his soul.
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet WalshSci-Fi | 100% |
Epic | 90% |
Thriller | 74% |
Drama | 49% |
Film-Noir | 33% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Cantonese, Korean
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Five-disc set (3 BDs, 2 DVDs)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is such an important piece of film history, that it almost speaks for itself whenever being mentioned. The film has sparked so many imitators and has influenced such a wide variety of filmmakers, that it is the very embodiment of a true film classic. That fact is an amazing development for a film that was, by most every opinion of the time, a complete and total failure theatrically. Throughout the years, the film has also generated a fair bit on controversy with its ambiguous storytelling, rumored cut scenes, graphic violence and multiple versions and home video releases. There was the “Domestic Cut,” the more violent “International Version,” the studio edited “Director’s Cut” and even a strange “Workprint” edition that mysteriously showed up at a film festival in the early nineties. All of the versions have their own strengths and weaknesses, but the newly edited, cleaned up and reworked “Final Cut” is now here for the entire world as Mr. Scott’s definitive edition.
The stunning visuals of Blade Runner are a sight to behold in 1080p.
Blade Runner has found its way to the Blu-ray format in pristine 1080P transferred from a newly minted 4K master. It's clear that a huge effort was made in cleaning up the film as the source looks as though it was created recently as opposed to twenty-five years ago. The complex optical composites of the film have also been given a major scrubbing and none of the matte lines and optical cut outs that were so prevalent in previous versions are present here. It is worth noting that the new "Final" cut of the film is easily the best in terms of picture quality with each successively older version looking slightly more aged and worse for wear. Ridley Scott's "Workprint" of the film on disc 5 is easily the worst in terms of picture quality, but it stands to reason that there were limited sources to produce this transfer, so we are probably seeing it in the best quality physically possible. I'll focus on the "Final" version for the duration of this section. Colors are spot on with vibrant neon hues leaping from the screen. The many aerial shots that take place over a crudded up Los Angeles are spectacular in their dirty, grimy design. Even some of the older optical shots of models look surprisingly more realistic on this new transfer. Black levels and shadow detail are, thankfully, rock solid and intricate. For a film as dark as Blade Runner, anything less would have been a crime. Ultimately, Blade Runner on Blu-ray looks amazing and is, most likely, the best the film is ever going to look. Like their stunning new Blu-ray version of 2001, Warner has really delivered top notch quality with their release of Blade Runner.
In keeping with the high video standards employed on this Blu-ray release, Warner has opted to include a full 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track on this release of Blade Runner. Quite frankly, I've never heard Blade Runner sound quite this remarkable. The film has always been well ahead of its time in sound design, but the Blu-ray production team has really gone above and beyond. Directional effects are scattered throughout the film and there is a wonderful sense of realism and ambience to the many crowded street scenes. Dialogue is crisp and always intelligible and never recedes into breaking up, even in the most quietly whispered scenes. Vangelis' amazing score is crystal clear as well and this TrueHD presentation reveals even more layers of synthesized bass and atmosphere in this revolutionary soundtrack. Like the video, each successive step backwards in the film's version will reveal a little less in the soundtrack department. After the "Final" cut in TrueHD, the remaining versions are presented in standard Dolby Digital with the "Workprint" being in Dolby 2.0 stereo. Clearly the "Final" version is the standout of the set and is sure to give your home theater a nice workout.
Here's What's Included:
Disc One:
-Audio Commentaries
Disc Two
-Documentary: "Dangerous Days" (211 Minutes)
Disc Three
None
Disc Four
-"The Electric Dream: Remember Philip K. Dick"
-"Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel Vs. the Film"
-Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews
-"Signs of the Times: Graphic Design"
-"Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling"
-The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
-Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
-Deleted and Alternate Scenes
-Vintage Featurettes
-"Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art"
-"Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard"
-Theatrical Trailers
Disc Five
-Audio Commentary
-"All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cuts"
Setting a new standard for Blu-ray releases and supplemental material, Blade Runner seems to have just about every conceivable extra imaginable in this set. Every aspect of the film's production is well covered here with a huge number of commentaries, documentaries and featurettes. The entire supplemental section is featured in standard definition, probably due more to the age of the film than anything, but that shouldn't detract from the extreme number of quality features in the set. I was particularly impressed with the features surrounding author Philip K. Dick and his impressions of the film as well as the many interviews with other filmmakers who are devout fans of Blade Runner. All told, where supplements are concerned, it just doesn't get any better than this.
Note: This "Ultimate" Collector's Edition of Blade Runner comes packaged inside a special silver briefcase that is featured in the opening scenes from the film. Also included are a metal oragami unicorn, a toy version of Dekard's "Spinner" flying car, production artwork suitable for framing, a lenticular full-motion film element and a special packaging piece signed by Ridley Scott. The content inculded on the Blu-ray discs is identical to that of the 5 Disc standard edition of the film.
This phenomenal Blade Runner set from Warner on Blu-ray sets the new standard for comprehensive special editions. Featuring five completely different cuts of the film, stellar audio and video and the most comprehensive set of extras ever assembled for a Blu-ray release, Warner has left no stone unturned. First time viewers of the film will be treated to one of the great science fiction epics of film history and will get to enjoy seeing the film progress in its various edits over the years. Long time Blade Runner fans will surely be thrilled to see Mr. Scott's definitive version of the film along with the long talked about "Workprint" edition of the film. Regardless of your previous experience with Blade Runner, this new five disc set should be required viewing by all Blu-ray fans around the world. Blade Runner on Blu-ray earns my absolute highest recommendation!
5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition
1982
The Final Cut
1982
30th Anniversary Collector's Edition
1982
30th Anniversary Collector's Edition
1982
30th Anniversary Edition
1982
The Final Cut
1982
The Final Cut
1982
The Final Cut
1982
2017
Special Edition
1951
Limited Edition / Reprint
1997
2008
40th Anniversary Edition
1977
Director's Cut
1998
2013
2016
2015
2009-2010
1997
Includes "The Invisible Boy" on SD
1956
The George Lucas Director's Cut
1971
2018
2013
2015
2001
2008-2013
2019
2016