Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last!, 24 Dec 2007
I watched BladeRunner for the first time in 1983 using a friends black & white portable TV and a Philips 2000 video tape player. Even under those primitive conditions we were transfixed as visions of the future entered our lives. Since then I've owned the VHS version (narrated), the DVD (director's cut), a DVD of the Criterion edition and sundry books and other merchandise. I've also watched the Director's cut in a cinema. I think that qualifies me to offer a fair opinion about this Blu-Ray set.
The set is presented in a (pseudo) replica of Deckard's Voight-Kampf case. The case is plastic but well constructed and has a silver sticker on the bottom indicating the serial number. The numbers go up to 130,000 so don't get too hung up on the 'limited' claim. Likewise the 'signed message from Ridley Scott' promise is a little bogus; there is one but it's printed on plastic. However, that's really the only negativity I can offer. The set contains some excellent A4 size art cards of graphic designs of machinery and sets. They are high quality. It also contains (in a foam insert) a nicely made replica of Gaff's origami unicorn (in silver) and a Police Spinner. The latter is very £1.99 from Tesco quality but it's still a model Spinner!
The best item in the case (apart from the discs) is a marvellous perspex block that contains 6 or 7 frames of the movie. By moving the block (or one's head) the frames become a clip of Deckard moving forward brandishing his gun. This alone justifies the cost of the set.
Then we reach the discs. 5 in total. There is the new version of the film (more later on that), the original cinema version (narrated), the director's cut (ironic title now), the criterion edition and the workprint edition. If you don't know what the latter two are then please Google it. Suffice it to say that there are no other versions of BladeRunner and to have them all in a single set in 1080p is beyond amazing! There's also a 3 hour documentary on the history and making of the film(s). Sadly this is in standard definition but hey...
And so to the new version of BladeRunner. I watched it on my 52" 1080p set so I could see the detail and I was continually laughing with delight. It looks stunning now. The production team have completely restored the print and the FX shots such as the opening sequence and the Spinner flight over the Tyrell Corporation building are pure and show a level of detail that I didn't even realize existed in the shot. Bear in mind I've seen a cinema version of this film and I can assure you that this is order of magnitude from that. All of the FX problems have been corrected: no wires lifting the Spinners, no stunt-woman's face on the dying Zhora etc. It's really interesting seeing that contents of Deckard's apartment for the first time. The clarity of the print reveals objects in his room that I'd not noticed. Some minor dialogue has changed but for the better and only in inconsequential places such as the description of the Nexus-6 team in Bryant's office. The audio is now 5.1 and much improved.
In conclusion:
This is a tremendous bargain. So much content for so little. If you value this film then GET THIS SET! The new version of the film is near perfect. It has been adjusted in such a subtle way that it is really just a superb restoration rather than a major change and yet a lot HAS changed. It's a tribute to Scott's team that the casual observer would barely notice.
I'm VERY impressed and delighted.
EDIT: There are SIX versions of the film in this set. The deleted scenes have been edited together to form a complimentary story to the main feature using previously unseen material (excepting Holden in the hospital which has been about before). This is quite astonishing to watch, almost surreal and dreamlike if you've lived with BladeRunner for many years. For example: Leon is hiding in the roof space of his hotel room as Deckard and Gaff look around. That's how he knows they are 'policemen' when Roy enquires later on. Superb!
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth every bit of the Export price it you want the Extras!, 5 Jan 2008
I had the Region 2 Ultimate Collector's Edition - but I was also given a Region One Ultimate Collectors Edition for Christmas. It was like getting too many toasters at a wedding.
First off - Region one's suitcase design is large - 21 cm. x 30 cm. x 6 cm. It has a great sleek design with Harrison Ford written in small unpainted letters - above the Blade Runner red painted title which is centered in the middle front of the raised plastic molding. The plastic molding on the back mimics the front without lettering. It features a silver sticker which says: Blade Runner in reflective print, then Limited Edition in black print, and 000000/103000 - your number that is part of the Limited Edition. A plastic handle folds easily into the suitcase edge, so it's streamlined enough to fit properly in your DVD shelves. It has two tabs you press to open it, and it clicks shut easily! Then once you open it, you realize where you were shorted.
The Black Glossy File Folder that fit into a Digipack sleeve in Region 2 - is now a proper large File Folder 17.5 cm. x 25 cm. - which opens up to 34 cm. x 25 cm. featuring 11 Illustrations from the film on the inside print of the folder.
The File contains 8 wide screen shot photos (4 cm. x 9.5 cm.) on a black background, opposite side has 8 Illustrations (11 cm. x 17 cm.) with a white frame background making them each - 22 cm. x 16 cm. They are a perfect size to frame.
The black folder slides into its sturdy clear reinforced plastic holder, which has a special snap plastic pocket 8 cm. x 13 cm. x 1 cm. - which holds the Lenticular Plastic Blade Runner Film Photo Premium - which is the same Lenticular from Region 2.
The Plastic Ridley Scott letter that fit inside the Digipack sleeve of Region 2 is in a different format for Region 1 sized 29.5 cm x 19 cm. with a 2.5 cm. folded section that tucks into the top side of the support foam within the plastic suitcase. The clear plastic letter actually protects (it's like a display window) and helps hold in place the DVD box, the Origami Unicorn and the Spinner model. It still features Ridley Scott's Sketch Drawing, but at a larger size as well.
The Origami Unicorn - is a plastic form with a shiny metallic covering - to mimic the folded origami featured at the end of the Blade Runner Film. It stands upright on it's own - 6 cm. x 6 cm. x 1 cm. at it's extended points. It's quite beautiful to look at - but a slight wind would knock it over.
The Spinner Model: It's such a vast improvement from the original Spinner die cast they sold when the film came out in 1982: 10 cm. x 5 cm. x 3.2 cm. It kind of rolls if you motivate it, but with the spinner only relying on the two rotating back wheels - your imagination has to make it fly around. I was surprised I liked it so much. When I checked on the Internet - they are now selling similar die cast Spinners for 50 + so even to get one as a perk in the Blade Runner Region One Suitcase spared me having to fork over more cash. You can see through the front clear windows, and the two small clear windows underneath the Spinner. It has great detailing, and a closer resemblance to the actual Spinner Car in the Blade Runner Film.
The difference in the DVD container box is just the outside cover. It is more toned down - featuring the dirty steel protection gate design with the words on the upper portion of the box: 5 Disc Ultimate Edition Collectors Edition in small white print, and Harrison Ford (in white print) above the red title Blade Runner placed in the middle of the DVD box cover. The backside features 3/4's down the outlined Deckard Runner logo, then Warner Brothers Studio Film information in very small white lettering. The Bar Code is on the top edge of the back - which should have just been put on the bottom of the box so you did not have to see it. It has a great sheen, but smudges easily.
The DVD features are identical to the Region 2. So it's the identical Films, Features and Documentaries.
I just wanted to post this for people who were curious about the differences. I gave my region 2 to a friend who was relieved not to get one of the damaged Tin Case Designs.
I am happy with the high quality and definition that this DVD version provides at this time.
I don't have to tell you how great the Films, Documentaries and Extra's are - it's one of the best Sci-Fi Ultimate Sets I have seen for Film. Now you know the differences so you can make a decision to get either the Region Two, or Region One Ultimate Blade Runner Collector Edition. Just make sure you have a Region Free player!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant film, a brilliant version, 15 Mar 2009
I have no idea what the other two people are going on about ...... don't think it's actually this US import, toys, who wants toys?..... sad!
However, to actually review this version, the US import, I got mine from Caimen (seem like a good company, their stuff comes 2 to 3 days delivered in the UK). Yes, it's a bit more expensive than the UK version, but there's loads more in the package, 5 discs, loads of versions of the film and deleted scenes plus making of.
And ..... importantly it does work in my Sony BDP-S500 bought in the UK/Europe. The soundtrack is excellent, made my room rock, the picture also.
I'd recommend this version, a definite must.
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