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BLADE
RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT Review
I mean it when I say this: BLADE RUNNER, from the first time I saw the original cut in theaters at five years old, always wowed me. I have only viewed the film a few times. When the Director’s Cut came out, I watched it and thought it was a much better version of the film. Once I entered adulthood, I completely understood the many themes within BLADE RUNNER, and with the Final Cut by Sir Ridley Scott, BLADE RUNNER is the seminal science fiction classic that deserves every accolade it has received. BLADE RUNNER, based on Phillip K. Dick’s novel DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?, tells the story of Deckard (Harrison Ford), who works as the title, a police officer assigned to hunt “replicants,” robots built as humans who defy their programming and become rogue. As a result, they were banned on Earth. Four replicants however hijack a shuttle and return to Earth with the intention of killing their makers. Its leader is Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), a blonde haired, blue eyed replicant built for combat. With him are Pris (Daryl Hannah), built for pleasure; Zhora (Joanna Cassidy), built for assassination; and Leon (Brion James), built for nuclear loading. Deckard is hired by the man these replicants are looking to kill, their creator Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) and while finding the replicants, he discovers that Tyrell’s assistant Rachel (Sean Young) is a replicant herself, only she doesn’t know it. Soon, Deckard falls for Rachel and as he tracks down the replicants, finds questions not only in their existence, but in his own. BLADE RUNNER is such a marvel on so many levels, it makes sense that this film was not heralded at its time of release, as it was so far ahead of its time only now we are catching up to the importance of the film. Its view of a dystopian Los Angeles 2019 with corporations in control and humans just overpopulating the streets doesn’t seem too far off from now. We’re only in 2008 and we’re almost there. The use of advertising by big screens on buildings, not seen in 1982, are commonplace now, and done with such great effect here that its astounding. Scott’s vision on film has been so copied in the 25 years since (ahem, THE MATRIX) that every filmmaker owes it to themselves to see this film. The cinematography by the late Jordan Cronenweth is excellent as well, with gorgeous shots even in the most desolate of places. The Tyrell Corporation itself is stunning. The cast are top notch, with Harrison Ford an excellent lead as Deckard. Han Solo and Indiana Jones are his most popular characters, but Deckard was his most complex role to date, and shows just how great of an actor he is and how underrated he is. Sean Young, in her first major role, gives a great performance as Rachel, struggling to find where she exists in life, as she has memories, but is unsure if they are her own. Her love for Deckard also shows and Young portrays the robotic Rachel just perfectly, a combination of innocence, curiosity, and strength. Edward James Olmos provides a great assistance as Deckard’s partner Graff, showing his star on the rise and holding his own against Ford. Daryl Hannah, also in her first major role, is also great as Pris, showing an affection for one of her creators, J.F. Sebastian, and holes up with him while awaiting her fellow replicants. Sebastian is played by William Sanderson (Larry of NEWHART from Larry, Darryl, and Darryl) and gives one of the film’s best performances. A young man lonely from his condition that makes his glands age faster, Sebastian creates robots just to have company. It is one of the most sympathetic performances in the film. However, the film’s best performance belongs to Rutger Hauer, who OWNS every scene he’s in as one of the most memorable and sympathetic villains in cinematic history. It’s been said many times, but his “Tears In The Rain” speech is one of the most poignant moments in film, and is Hauer’s most shining moment. Now that Martin Scorsese has finally won his Best Director Oscar, Sir Ridley Scott has now become the greatest living director to be snubbed of this honor (though something tells me he may finally get it for AMERICAN GANGSTER) and BLADE RUNNER is his most accomplished film to date, even topping ALIEN as science fiction. Scott worked his crew nearly to death, but did so to make sure he got the film he wanted. Studio interference now aside, Scott now has delivered this version, which takes out Ford’s controversial narration, adds scenes where the replicants’ histories are examined more, and adds on the suggestion that Deckard may be replicant (the jury’s still out on this one as Scott wisely left this to the audience). It’s the most complete version of the film that puts everything together nicely, while not adding minutes to it, at 117 minutes, the film doesn’t feel overlong as every scene is dazzling. I have the four disc edition, and the best feature is DANGEROUS DAYS: THE MAKING OF BLADE RUNNER, which at three and a half hours, goes through every detail of making this film, more than any I’ve seen to this point. It is quite simply the best documentary made for DVD ever made that is perfect for film fans for an education in just how difficult this film was to make. There are also great facts, such as how Dustin Hoffman was thisclose to playing Deckard, and shows screen tests of Sean Young as Rachel, and Daryl Hannah as Pris. There are also 80 in depth interviews with practically every living member involved with the film. It’s a great watch to sit down for a day (which I did during this holiday season) and is highly recommended. In all, BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT is the perfect DVD, a perfect science fiction film that should be studied by film students in schools all around the world. It’s one of the best films ever made and is finally given its due as a classic. Buy it, love it, treasure it. BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT: 10 Out Of 10 Maggots
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