Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner: The Final Cut is the director’s “definitive version” of the film, which has seen four previous releases. The most significant change made is the omission of Harrison Ford’s voice-over from the 1982 original. It has also not only retained the original special effects, but this DVD version has also seen a remaster that makes the towering skyscrapers, flying cars, and lifelike advertisements look even better. As always, Scott creates a wonderfully realized world, evocative of George Lucas’ planets and civilizations in Star Wars, with Douglas Turnbull (who also worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey) supplying the special effects.

Of course, there is also the story. Ford plays Rick Deckard, a designated “blade runner”, who is assigned the task of “retiring” replicants. These creations are capable of developing very human emotions, leading them on a path that is either dangerous or desirable. You see, replicants are essentially androids that are “more human than human”. Their creator, Dr. Tyrell (Joe Turkel), sends Deckard to find four of these that are on Earth illegally.

This aspect gives Blade Runner a strangely spiritual feeling, much like Scott’s other works. It challenges us with questions about our own humanity (or lack thereof), and capacity for love. The director also effectively blends the sci-fi genre with film noir, as Deckard tracks the replicants through the seedy streets of 2019 Los Angeles, accompanied by the haunting Vangelis score. Sean Young and Rutger Hauer give good performances, although Ford’s is quiet and reserved. As alluded to, the world and special effects are fantastic.

However, Scott’s characters–and certain subplots–are not always as compelling as the world he has built, and due to the largely introspective feel, there are only a few action set pieces. This is a slow-burn film and will not be for everyone.

Still, the themes presented in Blade Runner are provocative (there are even nods to the source material), the worldbuilding and effects are wonderful, and there are some good performances here. Scott even leaves room for interpretation at several junctures in this version. Will you like it? I guess the only answer is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Rated R

1 hour, 57 minutes