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Blade Runner: The Final Cut [HD DVD] [1982]


RRP: £27.99
Our Price: £7.95 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

To call this cut of Blade Runner ‘long awaited’ would be a heavy, heavy understatement. It’s taken 25 years since the first release of one of the science-fiction genre’s flagship films to get this far, and understandably, Blade Runner: The Final Cut has proved to be one of the most eagerly awaited DVD releases of all time.

And it’s been well worth the wait. Director Ridley Scott’s decision to head back to the edit suite and cut together one last version of his flat-out classic film has been heavily rewarded, with a genuinely definitive version of an iconic, visually stunning and downright intelligent piece of cinema. Make no mistake: this is by distance the best version of Blade Runner. And it’s never looked better, either.

The core of Blade Runner, of course, remains the same, with Harrison Ford’s Deckard (the Blade Runner of the title) on the trail of four ‘replicants’, cloned humans that are now illegal. And he does so across an amazing cityscape that’s proven to be well ahead of its time, with astounding visuals that defied the supposed limits of special effects back in 1982.

Backed up with a staggering extra features package that varies depending on which version of this Blade Runner release you opt for (two-, four- and five-disc versions are available), the highlight nonetheless remains the stunning film itself. Remastered and restored, it remains a testament to a number of creative people whose thinking was simply a country mile in advance of that of their contemporaries. An unmissable purchase. --Jon Foster


With the advent of Blu-ray many classics will rise again
Review date: 2008-08-24 Rating: 10 out of 10

One of them must be "Blade Runner in its many varied and excellent versions. This film is what sci-fi is all about. Instead of wasting time on gratuitous blood squirting, the story is much deeper with not only a message but a question.

"Early in the 21st century, the Tyrell Corporation advanced Robot evolution into the Nexus phase - a being virtually identical to human - Known as `Replicant.'"...Replicants were used Off-world as slave labor ...Replicants were declared illegal on earth ...Special police squads - Blade Runner Units - had orders to shoot to kill ..."

This was not called execution.
It was called retirement.

The film from beginning to end is treated with an overlay of original musing by the renowned Vangelis. In many films music can be a distraction or is needed to enforce spooky scenes. In this film the music is more of a co-character.

One image that staid with me is of Daryl Hannah with her fancy eye shadow.

It is now possible to see the many variations of this film based on the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep" by Philip K. Dick.

HD was finally pushed out by Blu-ray but any way you watch a big screen adds to the viewing pleasure without adding or subtracting from the story.

Yes I have the five disk version and enjoy it immensely. Yet any version is worth five stars.

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Reviews


Over - Hyped Rubbish
Review date: 2008-08-10 Rating: 2 out of 10

Having been told by friends over many years that this was a film I really should have seen by now, I took the plunge and bought this film (at a cut price as the format's finished). I settled down on my sofa and anticipated being swept away by a film labelled a 'masterpiece' by my friends, all in the majestic splendour of High Definition.

Just wait until I get hold of my mates.

This was one of the most disappointing films I have ever seen, a motion picture seemingly more concerned with how good it looked or how grand it sounded rather than whether the plot was not paper-thin (and it is, by the way). I sat there for nearly two hours and almost nothing notable happened. I gave this a chance - at the hour mark I wanted to stop the film in it's tracks and use the disc as a coaster instead - but I saw it through to the bitter end. Now it's a coaster.

On the plus side, the cinematography is very impressive at times. But that's it. No substantial story, nothing interesting going on and a soundtrack that borders on the downright annoying.

I know that this is supposed to be a 'cult classic' - but that doesn't mean that it's any good. I don't care if I offend my friends or any other die-hard fan of this film - it's utter rubbish.

A Classic Film just got better with HD
Review date: 2008-07-26 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you have never seen the film then I would suggest that you go and buy it or rent it, regardless of the format, It is one of those films that your love it or hate it, I have always loved the film.

The HD version is excellent, the parts where the animated sequences are added such as the fire coming from the build's stands out as amazing, you really can see a huge difference, what does it matter that you don't get a five disc version, surely you only want to watch the best version and HD has got to be it.

Sound is also worth a mention, hooked up to my Dolby Digital amp worked really well, I did try my old version in standard format and I could hear a difference and obviously see a big difference

If you like the film then buy this version and lets stop worrying about things that we don't have.

One of THE BEST FILMS EVER now in HD. Just BUY IT!
Review date: 2008-01-22 Rating: 10 out of 10

What can I say that hasn't been said a million times before. Visually stunning glimpse into a future that is already dawning. Every scene is meticulously crafted. The darkness, the subtle undertones, the theme of identity and what it is to be human. The haunting music...I could go on but I won't - you just have to experience it.
Dangerous Days - the included documentary is fascinating, although I was disappointed that it wasn't also HD, but it is a must watch for any BR fan.
Oh and I thought the film transfer was excellent - really showing off the detail and sharpness of HD DVD as a format.

Movie is 5 stars, but 3 knocked off for value compared to the Region 1 release
Review date: 2008-01-03 Rating: 4 out of 10

Andrew Tyler's comments re. the 5 disc version are incorrect. Three of the five discs (the three containing the five different versions of the movie) are indeed HD DVD discs. The remaining two discs containing the documentaries and bonus materials are standard DVDs, which incidentally are multi-region and will play on European players.

This version, given its price, clearly renders the 2 disc UK version null and void. If you are a fan of this movie then this is the must-have version. Why on earth Warner couldn't have released the 5 disc set in the UK is beyond me. Didn't they think we could handle the fun?

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Sean Young
Rutger Hauer
Harrison Ford
Daryl Hannah

Creators:
Harrison Ford (Primary Contributor)
Rutger Hauer (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900184687
Binding: HD DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2007-12-03
Audience rating: To Be Announced
Region code: 2
Running time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1982
Language: English (Original Language)

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