Blade Runner: The Final Cut - Full Reaction

"I need to watch it again" I hope you do. It's a complicated story but you actually caught a lot of things that I thought you might miss. I've watched this many times over the years and I've read the story, and it's one of those that continues to unfold. There's a lot to think about, which is the point of the story, and some questions are never answered but left open to interpretation. For me, that is a good deal of the attraction. I also love watching it as a study of film making. I remember the excitement about it while it was in production and couldn't wait to see it. Then there was a strike by the Actors Union and filming was delayed. While that was going on, the rest of the crew was still on payroll and had all the time in the world to work on the sets, so the detail is phenomenal. That may not be apparent at first but if you rewatch with that in mind you'll begin to see the many layers of detail that would be impossible to do on a typical production schedule. Also I want to point out the incredible musical score that pervades and adds to the atmosphere of the film by Vangelis who passed away in 2022.

BRT

"Ladyhawke" is one of my all-time favorite movies. And I think you're correct. Cassie (and Carly) would love it. Given their response to "The Count of Monte Cristo".

Miles E Coburn

I'm probably one of the few people on Earth who liked the narration. It gave the movie a "film noir" feel.

Miles E Coburn

Hey just saw this question. Mostly I love this film but there are a few things that don't work for me. I'd say the first issue for me is the love story. It doesn't really feel natural. I think the love story is done much better in Blade Runner 2049. Then there are small things like the opening scene where Leon is being tested. When he shoots Holden he flies through the wall and it feels extremely fake and doesn't really fit with the rest of the tone of the film. Same goes for how Pris dies at the end. She starts freaking out and flailing around and its just not well directed. It feels out of place. Then there is the scene with Deckard going undercover and putting on a silly voice for no apparent reason. It was a strange choice by Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott. Lastly, my biggest problem is Ridley Scott implying that Deckard is a replicant in the Final Cut. This was never in the script or the source material and it doesn't make the story any more interesting. The story is interesting because we see a man who has lost his humanity regain it by falling in love with a replicant. That's the poetic aspect. Making him a replicant is just a silly twist for no reason. However, the vast majority of this movie is exactly what I want from science fiction movies. The tone and aesthetic are unmatched. And the miniature shots are some of the best ever done and never really been surpassed until Blade Runner 2049 took it to another level.

Myles Away

This is also one of my favorite films; I've always loved it since I saw in 1982, but I also feel that is somehow a little "off" though I've never been able to put my finger on what that is. Out of curiosity, what do you feel are the flaws? May hearing your ideas will help me crystalize my own opinions of this film...

laughingfool100

With as much as she loves Harrison Ford, how has Cassie not yet watched Witness? This movie was designed for her. The fact that we haven't voted it in for her to watch means one thing: we have failed her as a community. Cassie, do yourself a favor and watch Witness.

Gary Giaimo

Replicants are not robots in the literal sense of an automaton made of gears and wires. They are organic beings like humans. They breathe and bleed. The use of the word robot is used more in a pejorative sense. The humans are on a constant campaign to dehumanize and segregate replicants because in reality they are more human than human. They are super-human. They have incredible abilities because their genetic potential is maximized through science. This movie explores what it is to be human. What it is to be real. This film is flawed but it is one of my favourites. The production is brilliant. The sets, the miniatures, and the atmosphere is timeless. It is unmatched by many modern films. I am really excited for you to see Blade Runner 2049 because it explores the themes of what it is to be human and real in even more depth.

Myles Away

Hmm, try this link: https://vimeo.com/user135566106/download/589677497/29976b265d

Cassie

Trying to download the full reaction, but Vimeo says there’s nothing there.

She was in Splash with Tom Hanks as well

Andrew Rose

@Henchmen, you make a good point. I've read that about Ford many years ago in Starlog magazine and it wasn't a quote. So who really knows? Thanks for the update.

Mr. Writhms

Rutger Hauer played Roy Batty in this film and did an amazing job being a psychopath. He does it again in a movie called "The Hitcher". Watch that one as part of a Horror Film Marathon for Halloween. There is a film called "Flesh + Blood" that he plays the head of a medieval mercenary team in that is worth your time as well (that one is not for kids though). He plays the exact opposite in a film called "Ladyhawke", which I also highly recommend.

Sean Novack

@Cassie - In wouldn't even call it a "happy ending" as some have called it. It was a vague ending at best. As Deckard put it, "I didn't know how long we had together. Who does?" So true. Even if Rachael didn't have an incept date you never know what might happen to her or him. @Mr. Writhms - I have read that Mr. Ford denies this. In my opinion the flat, lifeless narration works as Deckard was dead inside, drifting through life with no purpose. I doubt a cheerful, jubilant narration would have worked as well.

Henchman Twenty1

This is an interview that Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling did promoting BLADE RUNNER 2049 which goes completely off the rails. No spoilers for the sequel, just a goofy video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAb8KIhgVAI

Patrick Flanagan

I know....its hard to notice her with the hair and makeup.

Patrick Toscano

You're going to love 2049. 😁

Mr. Writhms

ok that is pretty funny of Harrison Ford! I love hearing tidbits like this

Cassie

The narration was the studio executives idea because the movie did poorly with test screening. The audience didn't understand what was going on. Scott wasn't pleased. Harrison Ford performed the narration as dry and lifeless as possible, hoping it couldn't be used.

Mr. Writhms

I watched the ending of the cinematic release and prefer it. I love a happier ending for them even though that probably is the "easier" or "cliche" ending!

Cassie

WOW! I did not realize that was her, I had to go google pictures to see her again. And I thought I was good with faces...

Cassie

Haha I love that he just gives people different answers, probably knowing huge fans of the movie will have hours of discussion about it and he's just toying with them ;)

Cassie

This sounds so intriguing, thank you, i have never heard of it. Thank you also for the kind words :)

Cassie

a big part is missing , you can hear Deckers thoughts in the original movie , plus Rachel had no expiration date , she will live forever .

Mike Lipke

I haven’t watched this film in decades. I saw it in the theater when it was first released, and again on videotape. In watching it now, I think several things reinforce the mortality, creator-creation theme, in light of some visuals. Roy stabs his hand with a nail, and bears the same wound Christ bore when he was crucified. When Roy dies, he releases a white bird, which flies away as if his spirit was unbound. Birds are frequently used to represent spirit, and in Christian imagery, the Holy Spirit is often depicted as a white bird. Rutger Hauer was a pretty popular actor back in the 80’s-90’s. Apart from Blade Runner, probably his most acclaimed performance, I thought he gave a great performance in Escape From Sobibor, where he played a Soviet Jewish POW officer during WWII. He was sent to a concentration camp, “Sobibor”, as Jews were frequently separated from POW camps and sent to concentration or work camps. Based on a true story, Hauer as “Perchovsky”, masterminded and led a break out that was the largest prisoner escape from a concentration camp in WWII. It was really exciting and harrowing. Upon rewatching this film, I’m reminded by how dark and depressing that world is - like you said, no sunlight, nor trees. It certainly set up a gothic or film noir ambience.

Catherine LW

If you didn't notice The scary blonde replicant Pris was played by Daryl Hannah who also played the title character of Roxanne in the Steve Martin movie.

Patrick Toscano

You should watch 2049 next. There were three short films that were made explaining what happened between the two movies. You should watch those first

Nick Deuchars

Harrison Ford, who played Deckard in the film, has said that he did not think Deckard is a replicant, and has said that he and director Ridley Scott had discussions that ended in the agreement that the character was human BUT According to several interviews with Scott, Deckard is a replicant, which off the bat is down right confusing since Scott is giving mixed answers himself. I truly dont even think Scott knows.

LightsCameraJake

Love you. Great reaction video. Great movie. Classic really. Please watch Barry Lyndon, another great movie, about people on different levels all subject to the grim reaper called time. I hear you not liking the dark lighting of Blade Runner , Barry Lyndon is brightly lit by natural light, being sunlight or candlelight. Also about our limited time on this plane called earth.

Will Zamora