Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer

Rated: R for violence and brief nudity

    In 1982, Blade Runner flopped in theaters, and then would go on to influence a generation of novelists, scientists, and philosophers. But, of course, this would only be the theatrical cut, which was ripped apart from director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien), by featuring a voice narration and a happy ending. When Scott quickly got his editor to put together what was called a “Director’s Cut” in 1992, critics finally saw the genius in his work (To read why Blade Runner is a Must See Movie, click here). Blade Runner: The Final Cut, is exactly what it sounds like. Ridley Scott has finally returned to his 25-year-old classic and made his version. This new cut features an all new digital cut, some small edits, and all new 5.1 sound. And what a final cut it is. For those who haven’t seen it (you should), Blade Runner takes place in 2019. Los Angeles has become overpopulated, and the ambitious Tyrell Corporation have perfected its process of replicants, androids who are “more human than human.” But when replicants perform a mutiny on an off world colony, they are declared illegal and ordered to be “retired.” Harrison Ford plays Deckard, a blade runner, whose job it is to eliminate these replicants. When a group of four replicants comes to Earth for reasons unknown, Deckard must come out of retirement to hunt them down one last time. Thematically, the Final Cut doesn’t change too much from the first director’s cut. The ‘Deckard is a Replicant’ theory is now set as complete fact. But the point of seeing this is for the experience. This new 70mm digital cut is awe inspiring. Compared to other re-releases, Blade Runner looks like it was made yesterday (Scott did some re-shooting of Zhora’s death sequence). The visuals are absolutely mind-blowing and the sound blasts at every moment, rocking you in your seat. Seeing Los Angeles as a giant wasteland in the original cut was cool, but the effects that Scott has added now make you coward in your seat. This now looks like the future, and its absolutely haunting. Vangelis, who created the wonderful futuristic and operatic score, did some small changes that make it sound even better. For those who have never seen Blade Runner, now is the time. For those who have always wanted to see it on the big screen, now is the time. And even if you saw it twenty-five years ago, this cut will blow you away. Blade Runner is one of the greatest films ever made, a dystopic vision of the future that works of so many levels, and Blade Runner: The Final Cut is a revival that is a must see for fans and newcomers alike.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut is now playing in New York and Los Angeles. Scott is preparing a number of DVD sets for December 18th, including a five disk special edition. Info can be found here on Amazon.