pd
09-12-2007, 09:45 AM
Fuzzy asked about the Blade Runner "Final Cut" in the shoutbox. I've been working through the "making of" documentary over the last few days and last night we sat down to watch the "Final Cut" version properly.
From a visual angle the film is the best I've ever seen it; proper widescreen, pristene colours and sharpness, and new 5.1 surround audio. The layer change could be at a better point - it's mid-scene, so there's a tiny pause when the player switches over - but that's the only criticism.
In terms of the content, the casual watcher won't notice too much different from the earlier Directors cut. There's no Deckard narrative, the unicorn scene is present though much clearer, and the ending is bleak. They've tidied up some scenes, particularly the snake lady's demise crashing through the plate glass shop windows, and the release of the dove when Roy Batty finally expires. I think there are lots of other smaller changes as well, particularly with the interactions between Rachel and Deckard, but it has been a long time since I watched it so I can't be sure.
Regardless, for the £17.99 I paid for the 5 disc set from Play.com, it's a steal. I haven't even got past the first 2 discs yet. There are also copies of all the commercially released versions (including the one with the film noir voiceover, which I still like as well), lots of background info, and the original Ridley workprint.
A must-have purchase for any fan of SF.
From a visual angle the film is the best I've ever seen it; proper widescreen, pristene colours and sharpness, and new 5.1 surround audio. The layer change could be at a better point - it's mid-scene, so there's a tiny pause when the player switches over - but that's the only criticism.
In terms of the content, the casual watcher won't notice too much different from the earlier Directors cut. There's no Deckard narrative, the unicorn scene is present though much clearer, and the ending is bleak. They've tidied up some scenes, particularly the snake lady's demise crashing through the plate glass shop windows, and the release of the dove when Roy Batty finally expires. I think there are lots of other smaller changes as well, particularly with the interactions between Rachel and Deckard, but it has been a long time since I watched it so I can't be sure.
Regardless, for the £17.99 I paid for the 5 disc set from Play.com, it's a steal. I haven't even got past the first 2 discs yet. There are also copies of all the commercially released versions (including the one with the film noir voiceover, which I still like as well), lots of background info, and the original Ridley workprint.
A must-have purchase for any fan of SF.