Blade Runner: The Final Cut is one of the best science-fiction movies ever made and still holds today as it did when I (finally) first saw it several years ago. And now it is the latest to get the 4K treatment and it is by far the best presentation in the format I’ve seen yet, putting others to shame.
Blade Runner
— The Final Cut —
(1982)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Suspense/Thriller, Crime
Warner Bros. | R – 117 min. – $44.95 | September 5, 2017
Date Published: 08/26/2017 | Author: The Movieman
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Note: The screen captures provided are from the included Blu-ray and do not do the 4K picture justice. At all.
THE MOVIE — 4.75/5 |
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Blade Runner: The Final Cut is the rare movie that not only can you take a snapshot of just about any scene and it’s suitable for framing and be a work of art, and a movie that, well, is just incredible. It’s been at least five years since I last saw this movie (which was my first time if you would believe it) and this being the second viewing, it captured me from the get-go.
The film takes place in the distant future of 2019 in Los Angeles which has become a mish-mash of various cultures, Asian persuasion especially. The line between robotics and humans, the former are called replicants, has crossed to the point where it’s difficult to discern the difference between the two. But there are tests that can be done to determine who is human and who is a replicant. These replicants are illegal on our planet and hunters known as Blade Runners are charged with hunting and killing them. Deckard (HARRISON FORD) has been charged with locating and “retiring” four replicants who escaped from an “off world” colony, the leader is named Roy Batty (RUTGER HAUER), a Nexus 6 model, the latest and most advanced. Deckard must following the clues to find each one, along the way falls in love with another replicant, Rachael (SEAN YOUNG), who works for the Tyrell Corporation, a company who created these replicants.
I don’t think I have to explain just how timeless Ridley Scott’s masterpiece really is. Blade Runner: The Final Cut is easily his masterpiece, in some ways surpassing Alien, and it’s not that isn’t one hell of a sci-fi/horror/thriller in its own right. What stands out with this film, beyond a story that presumably, in some ways, influenced Ghost in the Shell, and yes I know this is based on the Philip K. Dick novel, is the visual flare and a unique and yet familiar “futuristic” landscape. Under the lens of the late director of photographer Jordan Cronenweth, and combined with Ridley Scott’s eye, it makes for an incredible looking movie. In the end, Blade Runner: The Final Cut is one hell of a film and arguably Ridley Scott’s best, although I still love Alien. The world he built was immersive without, and this is a problem today, in your face and has influenced many a filmmaker and sci-fi movie to this day, namely the recent Ghost in the Shell live action adaptation.
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SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.5/5 |
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This 4-disc release, two stacked on one another on each side, comes housed in a black UHD case and a semi-glossy slip cover. Inside is a Digital HD copy code. 4K DISC: Commentaries
Blade Runner: The Final Cut 4K Remastered Trailer (2:31; 2160p) The rest of the set includes discs previously released. The first (Blu-ray) disc contains The Final Cut in 1080p HD; disc two (DVD) contains the feature-length documentary, Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner (3:33:57; SD) and disc three (Blu-ray) has the other three cuts: U.S. Theatrical Cut, International Theatrical Cut and the Director’s Cut. Each of those three cuts do come with Introductions by Ridley Scott. Now, on the surface all of that is cool. But noticed a problem? The making-of featurette is on a DVD while the previous 2012 digi-book release had this, and other features (still gallery, images), on a Blu-ray disc, but worse yet, now we are missing the Workprint Cut, production stills and other features. Because of this, I’ve had to drop my rating from a 5/5 to 4.5/5… |
4K VIDEO – 5.0/5 |
| I’ll put this as simply as I can: Blade Runner: The Final Cut looks absolutely frickin’ fantastic in its debut on 4K. The picture was scanned in 4K and given the HDR10 (High Dynamic Range) treatment leading to more brilliant colors like the neon’s on the streets but also some fantastic dark levels that never betrays the detail. And speaking of which, the detail is amazing to say the least. Not only are skin tones natural looking, but you get every fine facet from Deckard’s hair to Rachael’s outfits. I cannot begin to explain just how amazing this transfer looks and is by far the best looking 4K titles I’ve seen yet. Bar none. |
4K AUDIO – 5.0/5 |
| How do you follow up the perfect picture? Well, the already awesome Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track has been upgraded to Dolby Atmos and from the opening when the bass rumbles, I knew I was in for an aural treat. Beyond the robustness of the LFE channel, this audio really comes to life when each and every channel is utilized to their fullest from the quieter, more introspective scenes to the fight-oriented finale which has excellent range with the downpour rain to vicious punches and kicks. The incredible score by Vangelis gets a great boost with this new track. |
OVERALL – 5.0/5 |
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Overall, Blade Runner: The Final Cut is one of the best science-fiction movies ever made and still holds today as it did when I (finally) first saw it several years ago. And now it is the latest to get the 4K treatment and it is by far the best presentation in the format I’ve seen yet, putting others to shame and easily is reference quality. The only downside is the Workprint Version and a few other odds and ends were not ported over. |
Edit (8/27/17): Thanks to a user on the Blu-ray.com forum, noticed I mistakenly did not change the rating for the audio and video (I use a template for these reviews). The error has been fixed.
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.