Blade Runner the Best SciFi?

[DigitalKnight]

Blade Runner has been "proven" by 60 of the worlds best scientific minds to be one of the best scifi movies made. I for one liked the movie, but I thought that it had a some BA and ** (Bad Scientce) in it. Any other thoughts?

[semi-sentient]

I thought it was boring and could hardly stay awake.... then again I watched the directors cut or something like that and I've been told that this was a mistake. Oh well.

[Doe, John]

I can't think of this movie without thinking of a related cartoon. The director and producer are discussing how Harrison Ford gets into character for his role. Next frame: Harrison with a shotgun and Elmer Fudd hat saying "Shh, be vewy quiet, I'm hunting wepwicants. Duh huhuhuh" The original story was cool in a weird way, the movie was just weird.

[ToSeek]

I saw the original theatrical version and thought it was awful except for the design, which was brilliant.

[EvilBob]

I watched the directors cut or something like that and I've been told that this was a mistake.

Curious. For me, the director's cut was by far the better movie. The original has a bad voice-over narration by the main character, and a really cheesy ending. I found it an amazing difference in tone to see the director's cut.

[Humphrey]

I want to rent the movie, ive never seen it. (seriously) Which should i see, origonal or directors?

[semi-sentient]

I watched the directors cut or something like that and I've been told that this was a mistake.

Curious. For me, the director's cut was by far the better movie. The original has a bad voice-over narration by the main character, and a really cheesy ending. I found it an amazing difference in tone to see the director's cut.

Maybe it was the original that I saw, I don't remember. Either way, I was told that I watched the wrong version. :P

[Mellow]

Humphrey,

IMHO, I'd suggest you rent the directors cut. The original release was butchered somewhat in order to pace it up a little, hence the voiceover, removed scenes and a cheesy ending.

The directors cut is a little slower but all the more engaging as a result. It encourages you to think whilst watching, whereas the cinema release used the device of the voiceover to fill in your thinking blanks...

Just my tuppence worth.

[Excelsior]

Uh the original Star Wars triology is the best.

[mid]

I want to rent the movie, ive never seen it. (seriously) Which should i see, origonal or directors?

Director's cut would be my suggestion. Partly because I prefer it, but mainly because its the only version available on DVD...

And yes. I do think its the best SF film ever made, and 2001 comes second just like in that poll as well.

[jumbo]

Im not sure about BA in it because given the amount of clouds you barely see the sky. There may be a fair bit of Bad biology though but i wouldnt know about that.

The directors cut is by far the superior. The original theatrical releases had a hideous takced on voice over and some releases had a happier ending for Deckard and Rachel. This was even more tacked on given that the footage was a mashed about bit of film shot by Stanley Kubrick for The Shining.

I didnt think much of it at first but it grew on me and i absolutely love it now. The soundtrack is one of the best ive heard. Also Roy Batty's "Tears in the rain" speech is awesome.

[TriangleMan]

I loved Blade Runner and consider it an excellent piece of sci-fi blended with film noir. I'm not sure if I'd consider it the best though but I certainly liked it better than 2001.

I suppose what would be 'the best' for me would depend on my mood at the time. The Star Wars trilogy is excellent but not as serious as Blade Runner so if I wanted a fun entertaining movie then Star Wars would definately be a top sci-fi pick, Blade Runner would be for when I was in a more contemplative mood.

[Paul Beardsley]

I don't think it's the best SF film. 2001 and (the original) Solaris are better (IMO), and Blade Runner isn't all that SFnal. The story would have been much the same if it had been about escaped terrorists - on the surface, anyway.

But Blade Runner has a lot going for it.

It has superb acting, in some cases by actors at a very early stage in their career.

It depicted a thoroughly "lived-in" future - every design, from cars to buildings, managed to be exotic and commonplace at the same time.

It took liberties with a classic novel, but it still managed to be respectful towards its source material. A literal adaptation of Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? probably wouldn't have worked as a movie; similarly, an injured man clambering over the grimy rooftops would probably have been dull in print. What we actually get is a great book and a great film which are related to each other but not the same.

The music was superb throughout.

Real thought and imagination went into the story. Back in 1982, the idea of the good guy being rescued by the dying villain was unheard of in science fiction films; for that matter, the moral ambiguity was pretty special at the time.

There were powerful emotional moments that struck home on repeated viewings. Not just cheap tear-jerk stuff; the real thing.

IMO it's the third best SF movie of all time.

[Parrothead]

Blade Runner is definately one of those movies that requires multiple viewings. Like others I recommend the "director's cut". Like TriangleMan, what I would consider best, would depend on my mood at the time. It seems the original article also had scientists ranking SF writers. here is the original article. On an aside, I find myself going to source articles, more and more, after reading CNN's version.

[ToSeek]

Humphrey,

IMHO, I'd suggest you rent the directors cut. The original release was butchered somewhat in order to pace it up a little, hence the voiceover, removed scenes and a cheesy ending.

The directors cut is a little slower but all the more engaging as a result. It encourages you to think whilst watching, whereas the cinema release used the device of the voiceover to fill in your thinking blanks...

Just my tuppence worth.

The voiceover was definitely dreadful - one of the worst things about the version of the movie I saw.

[Humphrey]

Directors cut it is. Now i just have to get off my butt and go over to the video store.....might take a few days. :-P

[SciFi Chick]

The director's cut is much better.

I saw the original as a child, and so the voice over was helpful. Of course, some people would be horrified that pre-teen saw that kind of violence, but there ya go.

[Humphrey]

I know its off topic, but i have always believed that as long as you and your kids knows the difference between tv violence and real violence, its fine for them to watch it (or read it).

[Roy Batty]

Doh.. I was going to post this link yesterday after I checked the newpaper in question's site

I think its one of the best, both the original & DC.. no surprise there huh 8)

[jumbo]

N6MAA10816

10816???? Thats very clever of you to be posting then!

[jumbo]

Just remembered one of the A means perhaps clever isnt the problem!

[Roy Batty]

Just remembered one of the A means perhaps clever isnt the problem!

Posting before my incept date isn't the problem, posting 4 years after it will be :wink: 8)

[jumbo]

The candle the burns twice as bright eh. Id better wear these then 8)

[ToSeek]

The director's cut is much better.

I saw the original as a child, and so the voice over was helpful. Of course, some people would be horrified that pre-teen saw that kind of violence, but there ya go.

The violence was another thing I didn't like about the movie. As I recall, it wasn't gratuitous, but I still found a couple of the scenes extreme, and my wife was very close to walking out.

[jumbo]

IIRC the release in the US is slightly edited for violence as is the Directors cut to a lesser extent.
Given the tensions on set the violence seems to have an edge about it.

I also think the violence isnt extreme but can be disturbing. The worst violence isnt in the hunt for the replicants but in the scenes with Rachel.

[Roy Batty]

I also think the violence isnt extreme but can be disturbing. The worst violence isnt in the hunt for the replicants but in the scenes with Rachel.

Yes.. even in context, the scene when Deckard confronts Rachael & uses some force to kiss her still rankles somewhat with me :-?

Not forgetting the scene about the spider memory too of course.. thats powerful & upsetting, & also part of what makes it a great film 8)

[jumbo]

That scene was known by some of the crew as the hate scene. Originally it did soften in a longer cut. This ended up on the cutting room floor. Though it makes me uncomfortable i like the fact that the good guy isnt spotless and the 'bad guy' isnt all bad. Its definitely more than cops and robots

[Colt]

Blade Runner is definately one of the best films I've seen. At first I didn't really understand it but I was around 12 then. I pretty much agree with you guys about the good things in it... While I didn't mind the violence, it did make me cringe at points. Especially the kiss.


The copy that we have of it is on laserdisc which I have heard is pretty unique, has stuff on it that other ones don't. I'd have to check again. It's a cool movie either way. - Colt

[Lycus]

The copy that we have of it is on laserdisc which I have heard is pretty unique, has stuff on it that other ones don't. I'd have to check again. It's a cool movie either way. - Colt

IMDB[/url]]The European theatrical release (also available on Criterion Laserdisc) is 117 minutes long and more explicit/violent than the original American version, with a few additions/differences from the US release.
- Batty kills Tyrell by pushing his thumbs in his eyes, which bleed copiously.
- Pris lifts Deckard up by his nostrils when she beats him up.
- Deckard shoots Pris a third time; there are also more shots of Pris kicking and screaming when she is shot by Deckard.
- Roy is shown while actually pushing the nail through his hand
- Deckard and Rachael are seen riding into the sunset

[jumbo]

There is also an embassy laser disc. The differences in this disc are mainly assorted close ups of Roy Batty and his spasming hand and it has the Happy ending tacked on.

It was a film the grew on me as time passed. The younger jumbo was probably feeling let down by the lack of light sabres!