I don't get why Blade Runner is special - ok movie but a classic?

[yoda313]

Well I finally watched Blade Runner. I watched it in half hour chunks during lunch breaks this week on my Zune. I was watching the Directors cut from the dvd I have.

Its a decent movie but I don't understand why it seems to have a cult following. I didn't see it as being overwhelming or revolutionary or even action packed. It just seems to be a kinda mystery type sleuth movie.

Am I missing something?

I was too young to have watched it when it came out (I would have been 4 or 5 at the time). I have had the dvd for awhile now but just finally got to it. Granted I was watching in daylight and the movie is so dark that I couldn't make out half of it but I heard it perfectly.

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Am I taking it out of context? Was it just one of those "you had to be there" type of movies to have it make an impact? Was it ahead of its time? Was it just because Harrison Ford was in it and Riddley Scott directed it?

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Is this something where some people get it and others don't? Is this a love it or hate it type of movie? Like I said I thought it was ok but nothing so exceptional that i have to watch it over and over again.

Thoughts and opinions would be welcome. I'd certainly consider watching it again for a more objective view since I guess I was expecting something shocking or incredible to happen it since it seems to be loved.

[Noahtuck]

What version did you watch ?

The original version was only available on VHS & Laserdisc.

Then when they originally released it on dvd, which is what most single disc versions are, and rentals, they had pretty much butchered it and removed all Deckard's (Harrison Ford's) narration, then they released a multidisc box edition.

http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-Five-Disc-Ultimate-Collectors/dp/B000K15VSA/ref=sr_...8085528&sr=8-3

Which i have, i always refused to get it on dvd and have the original version on LD until they finally released it in it's original form.

They did the same thing with the Lawnmower Man, the LD version has 45 minutes more footage and when they released it on dvd they also butchered it!!!!!!

I think they had some of the cut footage as extras but, not the same thing when they cut out a ton of footage for the dvd release's......

I think it's a great movie, one of my favs along with the FULL version of Dune, that it only took them 25 years to release in the U.S. in it's full original version!!!

Although i had the import of the full version from way back when it first hit dvd.

Disc One
RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:

* Commentary by Ridley Scott
* Commentary by executive producer/co-screenwriter Hampton Fancher and co-screenwriter David Peoples; producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber
* Commentary by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer

Disc Two
DOCUMENTARY DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER
A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.

Disc Three
1982 THEATRICAL VERSION
This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.

1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT
The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

Disc Four
BONUS DISC - "Enhancement Archive": 90 minutes of deleted footage and rare or never-before-seen items in featurettes and galleries that cover the film's amazing history, production teams, special effects, impact on society, promotional trailers, TV spots, and much more.

* Featurette "The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick"
* Featurette "Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film"
* Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (audio)
* Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Cover Gallery (images)
* The Art of Blade Runner (image galleries)
* Featurette "Signs of the Times: Graphic Design"
* Featurette "Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling"
* Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
* Featurette "The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth"
* Unit photography gallery
* Deleted and alternate scenes
* 1982 promotional featurettes
* Trailers and TV spots
* Featurette "Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art"
* Marketing and merchandise gallery (images)
* Featurette "Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard"
* Featurette "--Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers"

Disc Five
WORKPRINT VERSION
This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more. Also includes:

* Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
* Featurette "All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut"

[RabidDog]

Watching Blade Runner on a Zune (in half hour chunks) is like (insert degraded experience here). It's a very dark movie.
It is also perhaps a bit of "you had to be there".. at the time it came out its use of special effects was revolutionary, in that they were good, but not shoved in your face or the main object of the film. Having good actors (HF &RH) playing some of the main roles also helped, as did an ending that was decidedly downbeat. It was also based on a very good book. I have seen both versions (DC is better) and may purchase it when it comes out on Blu-ray.

N.B Please tell me you don't carry your lunch to work in that replica briefcase

[Noahtuck]

N.B Please tell me you don't carry your lunch to work in that replica briefcase

LOL!!

I am assuming you are talking to me, although i don't get the "N.B" ?

Backed up to DL DVD+R's and the originals stored away with a ton of other rare and expensive dvd's from the past decade+.

Oh, on bluray you say.....

http://www.amazon.com/Runner-Five-Disc-Complete-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B000UBMWG4/ref=s...8087077&sr=8-1

[redwudz]

I think it has a lot to do with when it came out. It was awesome in the theater. Really nothing like it at the time. BTW, Rocky Horror Picture Show also has a huge cult following. I like it, but some people are hysterical about it.

I remember when I saw 2001, A Space Odyssey in a theater, and it was also incredible. The special effects there are mediocre these days. I did like Avatar and I wish I had seen it in a theater.

[Noahtuck]

There is a lot more to it than just the effects
Depending on which version you watch.

2001 had better special effects than Blade Runner and it was WAAAAAAY older!!


And i would hate to watch ANYTHING on one of those small ass portable video thingy's...
Zune, Iphone, Ipod, etc.

[guns1inger]

If you were expecting something shocking to happen then you were watching the wrong film. Blade Runner is an oddity. It wasn't hugely well received on release - it didn't do Star Wars or Alien numbers at the box office. The critics weren't big fans either. I believe part of the issue was the reputation the film had even before release, with it going over budget, having issues with the writer and director not getting on too well, having the narration and a new ending added, and also expectations being high for something more like Alien.

What they got was a relatively slow moving film-noir with a future setting and a patronising and very monotone voice-over. And even with the 'happy ending' tagged onto the film by the studio, it is still a pretty ambiguous film. People were expecting something either more like Alien - thrills and action - or more kiddie focussed - Star Wars. What they got was adult-oriented, mature science fiction that required more thought.

Another factor that added to the mystique over time was the fact that the original work-print, sans narration and with more violence and a far darker and more ambiguous ending was leaked on VHS. Few people actually saw it, although much larger numbers will claim they did. This legendary alternative cut left fans longing to see what Scott really had in mind, and just enhanced the reputation.

The release of the "Director's Cut", which removed the narration and tightened up the edits (it actually runs shorter than the original theatrical release) earned the film a critical re-appraisal, which was far more favourable and appreciative. However these things cycle, and in some quarters the tide is turning back with some more recent (read younger) critics questioning the ranking the film has earned.

Personally, I do like it a lot and I have the 5 disc bluray set. It think is great science fiction, even though it does have it's issues. But I also understand that it is not everyone's cup of tea.



Highlander is my film-I-just-don't-get. I know it has cult status, and those that love it see all sorts of depth to it. I see a crap French actor, lots of back-lighting and very poor visual effects, and a badly cast Sean Connery, all set to 80's power pop. Every five or six years or so I give it a look to see if I can find the charm, but so far it has eluded me.

[lordsmurf]

BTW, Rocky Horror Picture Show also has a huge cult following. I like it, but some people are hysterical about it..

The movie itself sucked. It was the experience of going to a theatre that made it a cult classic. It was like being in an episode of MST3K, but with many more people turning it into a theatrical production. It was the 80s. You had to be there. My memories are that movie are largely yelling "elbow sex" in certain scenes, throwing TP/cards/etc, and watching a couple satire on a stage below the screen. I don't remember much about the movie itself.

What they got was a relatively slow moving film-noir

I've yet to finish that movie. I keep falling asleep --- for this very reason.

[yoda313]

@noahtuck - funny you should mention Dune. That was one movie I was thinking of when I was watching it. Not for the scale or action but kinda the feel of it. Also the era of special effects at that time mimick Dune - though Blade Runner certainly didn't have to produce anything at that scale just the feel of it - plus the music was kinda similar in a way.

@radibdog and noahtuck - yes watching on a zune in daylight is hardly fair to the movie. I will try to watch it on my hdtv sometime to give it its proper due.

@noahtuck - the dvd I have is "THE DIRECTORS CUT" The original cut of the futuristic adventure. THe case copyright says 1999. Its one of those cases with the latches on the front that you have to open to get to the disc. FYI this is a flipper disc with the widescreen and fullscreen edition. I did watch the widescreen version on the zune - perhaps I should have ripped the standard edition - it might have showed up better on a 3" screen.

@guns1inger - interesting that it had production issues and battles. That always adds intrigue to movies.

It is also perhaps a bit of "you had to be there".. at the time it came out its use of special effects was revolutionary, in that they were good, but not shoved in your face or the main object of the film.

I understand that. It did seem well done but not amazingly action packed or anything.

Thanks everyone for posting. This puts it more into perspective for somebody who was expecting this epic movie that everyone seems to cherish. I'll try to watch it on a more proper screen sometime to give it another chance.

[Noahtuck]

the dvd I have is "THE DIRECTORS CUT" The original cut of the futuristic adventure.

But it is not the original cut of the film that was released in theaters & on home vhs/LD.

The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

What can i say, i have always liked the original version and never fell asleep watching it
LOL!!

You're just going to have to break down and spend $30.00 for the entire collection on bluray

[vhelp]

since its not on any of my dvds i have..

I'm looking for the version with the narration, does anybody know what the laserdisc cover looks like ? .. post a screen image ? i thought i had it on my widescreen vhs version but its not the one after all, and the laserdisc i do have is also not the one.. thanks..

ps: i would prefer to get it on laserdisc.

-vhelp 5481

[Noahtuck]

I have it on LD, i'll take a photo of the cover and post it a little later today.

But you can get it on dvd now, i know it comes in the box set i posted to earlier and is also on bluray for a lot less money!

I will end up buying it on bluray when i finally move to bluray sometime this year because there is more and more stuff becoming available on bluray you can't get on dvd.

[guns1inger]

The DVD/Bluray 5 disc set includes the original theatrical release with voice-over and 'happy' ending, the foreign (non-US) theatrical release, which includes slightly more violence, the Director's Cut (no narration, added unicorn), the Work Print (yes, the same work print leaked all those years ago) and the new Final Cut version, which drops the narration, keeps the unicorn, extends some of the violence, changes one significant line of dialogue, and keeps the ambiguous ending. The Final Cut also includes some digital enhancement, however instead of going down the George Lucas path of replacing whole slabs of footage with digital renderings from video games, this has been restricted to wire removal and composite clean-ups, and a head replacement of one of the lead actresses over her (obvious) stunt double. The set finishes off with a huge disc full of documentaries and features. It should be the last word on the movie, because there can't be too much left.

[Noahtuck]

Here is what my LD looks like,

[deadrats]

@yoda:

to be honest with you, there's a ton of movies i evidently "don't get", in that i can't see what people find so good about them. this is one one them, the godfather (all of them) are also on this group, they should have been called "god awful", the entire star wars lineup, i just can't sit through those movies, i just want to puke.

what i consider a good movie is something like the shawshank redemption, million dollar baby, gran torino, donnie brasco, the good fellas, gangs of new york, 4 rooms, phone booth, movies with not a lot of (or any) special effects but with a compelling story.

but dune, rocky horror picture show, blade runner, et al? just a waste of film.

[yoda313]

@deadrats - thats ok it just seems like you're not into fantasy/scifi. Thats not a crime. You're just more into regular docu/action/drama type movies.

Personally I don't like the long winded stuff. I do like regular action flicks like lethal weapon (all), rush hour (all) and things like I Spy (with Owen Wilson and eddie murphy). I love Hunt for Red October. Strangely enough I don't think I've seen another Clancy movie except for that one. I have read the book and was surprised how different that was from the movie version. Oh sure plenty stayed the same but quite a bit of the particulars were reworked.

I like movies for escapism. To me watching realistic fact based movies bore me to death. Exceptions like classics such as Ben Hur or Lawrence of Arabia are different because of the content and scope of the movie. But basically I don't do that much in regular movies.

Thats part of the reason I never watch award shows for movies. None of the stuff I like ever gets nominated or wins. Exceptions of course for Lord of the Rings Return of the King!

@deadrats -

Here is one question for you - did you like the Matrix (any of them?) If you like action movies at all its hard not to like at least the first one. You can question the plot and stuff but you can't deny the out and out action of the movie.

[deadrats]

Here is one question for you - did you like the Matrix (any of them?) If you like action movies at all its hard not to like at least the first one. You can question the plot and stuff but you can't deny the out and out action of the movie.

believe it or not i actually did like it and i hate keanu. LOTR is another one that i actually liked, i do like some fantasy/scifi stuff, i'm a huge star trek fan, loved TNG, DSP and the series with that sexy blond borg, loved buffy and love supernatural, i can't stand almost all of mel gibson's movies but i'm a huge fan of jackie chan's movies.

[yoda313]

DSP and the series with that sexy blond borg

I believe you mean DS9 as in deep space nine and that would be jeri ryan in Star Trek Voyager

believe it or not i actually did like it and i hate keanu.

That is funny. I liked them and I actually kind of like Keanu Reeves - though the action movies none of the other ones. Personal favorite of mine has to be Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - Party On Dudes!

i can't stand almost all of mel gibson's movies but i'm a huge fan of jackie chan's movies.

Thats interesting. So do you like rush hour?

------------------------------

Regarding LOTR - it might be because its book based and not just out and out fantasy fluff.

[Marco33]

I was thinking why this movie resonates with me. I don't realy think it's the movie itself. So much the story... but it's take or view of a possible future. The lonelyness of Deckard and others left on Earth. A used up shell of a world. Off World is only for the perfect. The music is really perfect for the overall feel. The plight of the replicants.

Quote:
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to die."

And my favorite Quote:
"All he'd wanted was the same answers the rest of us want. Where do I come from? Where am I going? How long have I got?"

I guess I like it because it makes me think.

[Noahtuck]

I was thinking why this movie resonates with me. I don't realy think it's the movie itself. So much the story... but it's take or view of a possible future. The lonelyness of Deckard and others left on Earth. A used up shell of a world. Off World is only for the perfect. The music is really perfect for the overall feel. The plight of the replicants.

Quote:
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to die."

And my favorite Quote:
"All he'd wanted was the same answers the rest of us want. Where do I come from? Where am I going? How long have I got?"

I guess I like it because it makes me think.

I like darker, deeper movies that are not cartoonish.

I remember when Batman: The Dark Night came out and Yoda did not like it because it was to dark, where i hate the original tim burton versions because they were to cartoonish, Batman was supposed to be dark, he was a pissed off vigilante because his parents were killed for basically no reason.

The DC version of Blade Runner compared to the original version is like watching the remake (hacked) version of star wars where Greedo shoots first, or the remake of E.T. where they replaced the guns with walkie talkies....

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, the classic millionaire sellouts just to make another buck and be PC!!!
Pussy's!!!

[guns1inger]

The DC version of Blade Runner compared to the original version is like watching the remake (hacked) version of star wars where Greedo shoots first, or the remake of E.T. where they replaced the guns with walkie talkies....

You do understand that the Director's Cut, and better yet, the Final Cut, are the darker, deeper version of the film. The original theatrical release was the lighter, less ambiguous version of the story.

[yoda313]

I remember when Batman: The Dark Night came out and Yoda did not like it because it was to dark,

I still stand by that.

However I have come to appreciate the movie. It is not a rah-rah shoot em up action movie like I typically enjoy. I have come to see the value in the movie.

One thing I do think it could have been trimmed down a bit. Though it does support the weight of the story line its just I don't like action movies that push 2 and half hours (excepting of course Lord of the Rings - but that is really fantasy and not the same category - and yes I do have the first edition release of the extended versions of all three movies on dvd - probably won't buy the bluray even if/when they release the extended versions - the dvds are adequate for my 32" set - if I get a bigger set I may consider the blurays one day).

And fyi I have come to appreciate the Daniel Craig Bond. Not like but appreciate. I still would have preffered Hugh Jackman or somebody else as Bond. But like Dark Knight I can appreciate the different tone they took the series. I still miss the gadgets but hey they still have chase scenes, explosions, and beach scenes and MOST of the stuff that makes a Bond movie a Bond movie.

[deadrats]

I believe you mean DS9 as in deep space nine and that would be jeri ryan in Star Trek Voyager

ah, yes, deep space nine, what i consider the best of them all, even though the best character had to be Q from TNG and there were some episodes of voyager that were great and omg, that jeri ryan!!!

That is funny. I liked them and I actually kind of like Keanu Reeves - though the action movies none of the other ones. Personal favorite of mine has to be Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - Party On Dudes!

wow, i couldn't stand bill and ted, i could feel my IQ dropping as i watched it. as for keanu's "acting", all i can say is that charlie sheen (yes, the coke head) once said "i don't know how any director can look at keanu reeves' work and say 'i want that in my movie'".

i have to agree.

Thats interesting. So do you like rush hour?

i loved rush hour, i loved rumble in the bronx, i loved all of jackie chan's action movies, hell i always though he had excellent fighting techniques, certainly much better than most of the other martial arts centric action stars.

[El Heggunte]

Just my 1.99 cents...

I don't get why Blade Runner is special - ok movie but a classic?

If you need to ask, then you're not ready to know.

As for the whole Star Trek thing...

well, since 1983, I think Star Trek is suitable for children and teenagers only.

[yoda313]

wow, i couldn't stand bill and ted, i could feel my IQ dropping as i watched it

What can I say I was 10 when it came it out. It's just one of those that you either get or you don't get and it sticks with you.

FYI I also love UHF from Weird Al. THough never saw it in the theater when it came out but have the dvd

i loved rush hour, i loved rumble in the bronx, i loved all of jackie chan's action movies,

Actually the only other jackie chan movies I've seen are shanghai noon and knights (well half of knights - I have the dvd just haven't finished it yet). Someday I'll see more I do have rush hours 1-3 of course