Blade Runner - The Complete Collector's Edition (Blu-ray Disc, 2007, 5-Disc Set)

If you are familiar with the 5-disc DVD release of the film, then you already know what this is about. Thankfully nothing has changed except for the format upgrade to Blu-Ray. Blade Runner is a great movie to have in the High-Definition format. If you are not familiar with the 5-disc set in either format, read on!
Of these five versions, two sets are very similar. The original release and the 1982 International Release are very close, as is The Final Cut and 1992 Director's edition. The versions look great, but the Final Cut looks fantastic with cleaned-up visuals and audio.
The most interesting version is the so-called workprint, the first version of the film that has never before been available. It has "new" footage and the only narration is at the end, with a different soundtrack, and isn't as polished.
The extras are good, with deleted scenes, recent interviews with the stars and crew, etc. Great for fans of the film.
The original release is oddly enough almost impossible to find outside of this collection. The old VHS features the International Cut in most cases, while previous the DVD release is only the 1992 Director's Cut. Ridley Scott didn't like the narration, as you will find out in the special features, but respects those who like it. He introduces the four main versions.
I think the main reason he dislikes the narration is it all but eliminates the possibility of Deckard being the very thing he hunts. Scott wanted to make it more obvious he is one, so new scenes were created or added in the 1992 version, along with eliminating the narration. Both elements remain in the Final Cut.
For me, the narration adds to the detective film-noir quality of the film, and helps with pacing. But it does take away from the debate over whether or not Deckard is an android. The author of the book would've been likely upset with the notion of Deckard as an android, but in the end the central theme of the film remains. However I think that theme is better preserved in the original version and better matches the book.
Of course, the book is also different from the film, but that is yet another story.

Since this huge package contains the original USA theatrical release, the European release as well as director Ridley Scott's Final Cut, it will satisfy all tastes as to which version is best. I won't compare the versions so as not to spoil it for those who wish to explore. What impressed me most was the quality of the discs. Viewed on a large high resolution TV the quality of the picture is simply astounding. Dim the lights, sit close, and you will experience the movie just as if you were in a theatre. I viewed the movie on a Sharp Aquos 42" 1080P television with the matching Blu-Ray player, and even with the built-in speakers, it was a tremendous experience. The special effects, though done in-camera (this flick predates digital animation, kids!) are absolutely seamless even viewed at close enough range to detect the grain of the film stock. That's really close.
It's hard to imagine how a DVD could be of higher quality.
Interviews with the director, producer, actors and others are entertaining and enlightening, especially about the mechanics of making the film, but in the final analysis, the movie speaks for itself.
As an ironic observation, I thought Harrison Ford as the human hero did little more than hit the mark and say the line, while Rutger Hauer and Darryl Hannah, as the robot uh, characters? (not exactly heroes, but not villians either) showed much more emotion. Sean Young, as the most human-like of the robots, was somewhere in between.
Since the advent of pre-buttered microwave popcorn, I don't think you can do much better even at the theatre.

There is nothing to not like about this movie so I will not re-write the words of the past. Whether you like sci-fi,action, drama,80's cinema or just a great film with a cool story,awesome visuals and superb performances...this could be your movie! Ridley Scott really spared no expense here with this release which was,in this writers opinion a die-hard fan release! Included are ALL available versions of the film. Bladerunner (theatrical,with/without Harrrison Ford narration,international cut,director's cut,final cut, and finally the very rare work print)!Also included are too many incredible extras to mention including commentaries all over!!! ...and by the way Blu Ray offers us the opportunity to experience sounds long buried in the soundtrack! See this film for the first time all over again!So go enjoy already! A+/10 out of 10!

'Blade Runner' is the rare science fiction film to actually seem more prescient twenty-years after its release. It is the true definition of a cult classic, and its unparalleled vision of the future has left an indelible mark on pop culture. This 'Complete Collector's Edition' sports video and audio restorations that are simply fantastic. The five discs full of extras are also extraordinary, and it's hard to imagine any 'Blade Runner' fan wanting more. Sure, the 'Ultimate Collector's Edition' comes with the cool briefcase package, but the 'Complete Collector's Edition' is considerably cheaper, and is a five-star release in its own right. No matter which configuration you choose, you just can't go wrong.

I hope everyone finds this helpful, let me start out by saying WOW, finally a release on Blu-Ray that makes use of the technology.

1.Every version of the movie
2.Enough Special Features to Make your Head Spin
3.Completely Awesome Transfer on Sound and Video
4.No CGI Pixelization, or Poor Sound Mixing
5.A Collector's Dream Blu-Ray DVD Set

Ridley Scott spared no time or expense putting this together for us fans, he is a true master of his craft and deserves the highest regards. When the technology first came out, we were all thinking how cool it would be to finally have a format that could handle what we the "uber geeks" wanted, this set does it, even if you are not a fan or have never seen this movie the set is truly a work of art, and should be in everyone's collection. Lets just hope some other folks (George Lucas)(Steven Spielberg)(Peter Jackson) follow suit really fast so we can have many more of our favorites like this in our collection.
5 Stars on Price, Quality, Content
One more confession, I do own both versions this and the HD DVD version (Christmas) the Blu-Ray in my opinion has better sound and video. Of course it could be my blu-ray player is better than my HD DVD player .... oh wait they are the same (Samsung HDBD-UP5000) =) the war is close to over buy blu-ray!!