Movie Review: Blade Runner: The Final Cut by ME

Title: Blade Runner: The Final Cut
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh
Directed By: Ridley Scott
Produced By: Brian Kelly, Hampton Fancher, Michael Deeley
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller
Release Date: Various Dates
MPAA Rating: R for violence and brief nudity.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

The lights go down, the projector hums. Up on the big screen is Blade Runner, a movie that has gained an immense following over the last 25 years, myself included. With multiple versions of the film out there, hopefully Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be the (groan) final cut. I own the special edition Director's Cut that was released in 1999 and there are only a few noticeable differences. Gone is the stuntman in a wig for Zhora's death scene, re-shot and edited in with new footage that removes what some say is the worst stunt in history. They even got Joanna Cassidy to play Zhora again. Otherwise it's pretty much the same as the Director's Cut. So why spend your money to see it on the big screen? Because it's all about seeing Blade Runner on the big screen. If you are lucky enough to have a screening near you I would recommend attending. I love when my favorite films come back to the big screen. See, I was too young to catch Blade Runner at the theaters when it was originally released and to see the final version up there, how could I pass that up?

If you have been in a coma for the past 25 years, Blade Runner is a Ridley Scott film based on the novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep by Phillip K. Dick. Harrison Ford stars as Deckard, a cop (or Blade Runner) who tracks down life-like androids called replicants. A group escapes and finds it's way back to Earth and Deckard is pulled out of retirement to dispose, or retire as it's called in the film, this group. Also starring Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos and M. Emmet Walsh, Blade Runner is considered a classic by most moviegoers.

I really don't think that full review of the film is really necessary but for those who want to know a little more I will say that this movie has garnered so much attention over the years for a reason. Extremely thought provoking as it raises questions dealing with racism, discrimination, the inability to change ones future as well as the question of what is humanity in the first place. Excellent acting and directing by Ridley Scott based on a novel by Phillip K. Dick is what keeps Blade Runner relevant even now. Just an all around great sci-fi movie that will be around (and still relevant) for at least another 25 years.

Now if you are lucky enough to live in or near one of the cities that is showing Blade Runner: The Final Cut, I recommend you take advantage of it as it may be the last time you get to see it in theaters. I've included a list of the cities, theaters and the type of print they have. If you are here in Detroit and know the Landmark Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, then you know that the older theater only adds to the time warp effect of seeing Blade Runner on the big screen, with the old school columns in the main theater as well as the lobby that even has couches for you to sit back and discuss the film with your friends. Don't let this opportunity pass you by! It's only going to be at the Main Art for ONE WEEK ONLY starting Nov. 16^th.

Until the final final cut of Blade Runner,
keep reading

Mitch Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

10/26 - Seattle (Cinerama, Seattle - 35mm)

10/26 - Washington D.C. (Uptown, D.C. - 35mm)

10/26 - Portland (Cinema 21, Portland - 35mm)

10/26 - Salt Lake (Gateway Megaplex, SLC - Digital)

11/2 - Chicago (Music Box, Chicago - 35mm)

11/2 - Santa Barbara (Arlington, Santa Barbara - Digital)

11/2 - Baltimore (Landmark Harbor East, Baltimore - Digital)

11/9 - Boston (Coolidge Corner, Brookline - 35mm)

11/16 - Detroit (Main Art, Detroit - 35mm)

11/18 - Austin (Paramount, Austin - 35mm)

11/30 - San Francisco (Embarcadero, San Francisco - 35mm)

11/30 - Dallas (The Inwood, Dallas - 35mm)

11/30 - San Diego (Ken, San Diego - 35mm)

11/30 - Minneapolis (Uptown, Minneapolis - 35mm)

12/7 - Denver (The Landmark @ Greenwood Village - Digital)

12/7 - Philadelphia (The Ritz 5, Philadelphia - 35mm)

12/25 - Boston (The Brattle, Cambridge - 35mm)

1/2/08 - Austin (The Paramount, Austin - 35mm)

1/4/08 - Nashville (The Belcourt, Nashville - 35mm)

1/18/08 - Durham (Carolina, Durham - 35mm)

2/1/08 - Columbus (Drexel Gateway, Columbus - 35mm)

2/15/08 - San Francisco (Castro, San Francisco - 35mm)

2/29/08 - Sacramento (Crest, Sacramento - 35mm)