A new Blade Runner: 'Time to buy!'

A new reworked version of Blade Runner has hit theaters on a very limited release. "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" comes 25 years after the original thriller starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young and Rutger Hauer.

As most sci-fi fans know, a director's cut was released in 1992 that removed Ford's narration from the movie, something director Ridley Scott detested in the original flick. This new "final cut," however, is a major overhaul.

According to Science Fiction and Fantasy Media, the new version includes a slew of reworked scenes, altered dialog and more violence. Some entire scenes have actually been re-shot. And the latest audio and film technology has been used to give the entire film a face-left.

One of the most intriguing changes begs the question: Is Deckard a replicant? An longer fantasy scene, involving Ford character's daydream of a unicorn, suggests he could be.

"Gaff (played by Edward James Olmos), at the end, doesn't like Deckard, and we don't really know why," Ridley told SFFM. "And if you take for granted for a moment that, let's say, Deckard is Nexus 7, he probably has an unknown life span and therefore is starting to get awfully human."

Click here to see a trailer of the movie. The DVD version is set for release on Dec. 18.

Comments

[Dominic]

Podcast! C'mon, guys, where's the Blade Runner love? Now is the perfect time for one.

[Spears]

We actually prepped a Blade Runner podcast WAY back about a year or more ago, but never did the show.

I think it's the whole Sean Daly vs. Sean Young thing. Both have synthetic hair. Too creepy.

[Tom]

I knew it! Daly is a replicant! That's how you explain the dolphin-esque body.

[Walter Cox]

I hear Sean's seen things you people wouldn't believe....

[Form]

This release might finally drive me to buy a high-def disk player. I've owned just about every version of this movie that's ever been released on home video including laserdisks. Steve, do you know if this will play anywhere in the Bay area?

[Spears]

Form, I think you can firmly say NO to the idea of it playing in the bay area. I'm betting it's mainly a NY-LA thing.

Save your money and buy the DVD -- which is what I'll be doing with any gift certificates from the holidays.

[Douglas Arthur]

Absolutely LOVE this movie, and think it deserves a second chance at a podcast, (And Brazil, too, for that matter), but I have to say I am a little annoyed at these older films continually getting make-overs. There is a reason the original was so beloved and fetishized. (I'm looking at you George Lucas!) I suppose I don't mind too much, but make the ORIGINAL film available too. Even if it is only for point of comparison. I loved the ambiguity of the original Blade Runner, but it seems that adding in more "clues" would help dillute the discussion about the nature of humanity in this film. The original voice over ending about not knowing how much time one has left on this Earth really gelled that movie together, in my mind. i actually wrote a paper on this in college some 20 years ago. If I dig around I may find it. (This was before the "Director's Cut" was released. and certainly well before the "Final Cut"...it's beginning to feel like the Who's "Farewell Tour".

Leave well enough alone and MAKE NEW MOVIES! Stop screwing around with the classics!

[Dominic]

Douglas, The original version of Blade Runner is included in the box set version releasing next week

[Tonianne]

I'm with Douglas - Brazil would make for a great podcast.

[Eric S]

BTW, Ridley Scott has said in several interviews that Deckard was indeed a replicant.

[Spears]

Oh God, not Brazil. That'd mean I'd have to actually watch it again. (And I still haven't made it start to finish with "Heathers" yet.)

Now that I'm a mature dog instead of a young pup, maybe I'd catch the subtle joy of "Brazil." But I know I hated it the first time I watched it.

[Pete Bogs]

This set will be my Xmas gift to myself. But how about a theatrical release in Tampa???