Which version of Blade Runner should I watch?

It's true. I've never seen Blade Runner. Unfortunately, I go out to get it, and there are like seven versions. Which one should I watch? Which one is the best?

Well, get the ultimate box set on DVD/Blu-Ray. It is great and the prices are pretty low now. Get that, and watch "The Final Cut". It is the best version yet, and is revised in many ways compared to the other ones. There is also "The Director's Cut", but that is different than the "Final Cut", the more recent iteration. Yes, it is confusing, but that is what Blade Runner has, and always will, be. Great piece of cinema.

Watch them all...and then watch the documentary.

So 'The Final Cut' is the best version of it?

"So 'The Final Cut' is the best version of it?"

"So 'The Final Cut' is the best version of it?"

"Bulldog19892 said:

"So 'The Final Cut' is the best version of it?"

Yes, but like Jakob187 said, watch all of them....eventually. Watch that one first. It will be the best stepping pad for the rest of the versions. "

So I should watch the original movie first? I'm getting mixed messages here.

"So I should watch the original movie first? I'm getting mixed messages here."

I'd say watch the original theatrical release first. The narration of the film gave me a bit of extra info on the characters. After that, go watch the Final Cut... then watch the rest. I  have the big ol' box set.

"RHCPfan24 said:

"Bulldog19892 said:

"So 'The Final Cut' is the best version of it?"

Yes, but like Jakob187 said, watch all of them....eventually. Watch that one first. It will be the best stepping pad for the rest of the versions. "

I 100% disagree.  Starting with the original Theatrical cut and then moving forward through them works out a lot better.  If you just jump into it from the Final Cut, there is a LOT of shit you probably won't get without subsequent viewings.

Personally, I would suggest watching all of them in chronological order of time they were released/cut.  You have to remember that this film was a VERY troubled shoot for many reasons, and it was never an easy film to edit together...let alone to get the movie studio satisfied.

Ridley Scott is the master of Director's Cuts, though.  The one movie that he never wanted to make a Director's Cut for was Alien, because he always felt the theatrical release was the best version of the movie...and after finally watching the DC of it (after finally buying the Alien Quadrilogy), I have to agree with him completely.  The DC is way too long and the pacing is sloppy.

"

Well, RHCP...define "best".

I can't say i'm a big fan of Blade Runner. After watching it, I don't really know what was achieved. Everything looks nice, everything sounds nice, it is a very realised world but nothing really seemed to happen and I got the message about the robots being like humans pretty quick. And before someone flames me or something, Harrison Ford doesn't really like it and he was Deckard, for fuck's sake.

"And before someone flames me or something, Harrison Ford doesn't really like it and he was Deckard, for fuck's sake."

watch all, three I think, versions.  Best Sci-Fi movie ever.

"HandsomeDead said:

"And before someone flames me or something, Harrison Ford doesn't really like it and he was Deckard, for fuck's sake."

How would you say something like that and not expect to get flamed for it?  Did you watch the documentary that was made for the new DVD release?  If not, I would suggest watching that.  Please refrain from stating that which you are not so positive of.

To clarify, Ford hated the movie because it had the voiceover and happy ending to it when it was released initially in America.  However, over the years and with many director's cuts, he's gotten to where he finally sees the movie he wanted to see.

You're welcome.

As for what the movie "achieved", the fully realized world, art direction, contrast and saturation, special effects...yes, all that stuff was top notch for the time.  However, the message of it isn't that the robots are like humans and shit.  The message is about what is human and what is not, but moreover, who are we do deny the ability for something non-human to be human.  This is especially a puzzling question when you bring in the unicorn dream.  Essentially, we are told that making the Replicants is man playing God, but at the same time, making the Replicants also allows us to understand the logic, emotion, and workings of humans far more than we know ourselves.  Unfortunately, the conflict comes in forcing the Replicants into a life of servitude rather than allowing them to be free.

There are tons of parallels in there, but you've gotta look for them and appreciate them for what they are.  If you are going into Blade Runner just looking for a cool sci-fi flick, you will probably be sorely disappointed.

"

I still like the first one with the voiceover, the whole "unicorn dream" does nothing for me.
Watch them however you like, and figure out which you prefer.

If you want the original original, read ~Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep~.

watch the latest release; that one has the most extra scenes and stuff.

strangeling said:

"

I still like the first one with the voiceover, the whole "unicorn dream" does nothing for me.
Watch them however you like, and figure out which you prefer.

If you want the original original, read ~Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep~.

"

"Watch Frankenstein, Blade Runner, Terminator 2, and A.I. back to back to prepare yourself for the robot uprising."

I recently watched the Director's Cut.  I was not a fan of the film AT ALL.  It had an interesting ending, though.