Blade Runner: The Final Cut

[ellen_datlow]

Yeah, sure it is. I don't think Scott will ever finish fiddling with it. However, I did want to see it on the biiiig screen at the Ziegfeld, so caught the 2pm show today. (which is why I was so late responding to all the comments on my previous post ;-) ).
This whole post is a spoiler so if for some odd reason you haven't seen the movie's most recent incarnations, do not read on.

First of all, the only change I could discern from the last "director's cut" was more graphic violence in the killing of Tyrell. I suppose there might have been a few seconds added here and there, but I didn't notice them.

I still love the movie--it's my favorite sf movie--and it's kind of lovely seeing Harrison Ford and Sean Young and Rutger Hauer and even Daryl Hannah in their prime.

I am not particularly willing to argue about the "is he or isn't he a replicant" issue because frankly, at this point, I don't give a rat's ass what Scott says. For me, if Deckard IS a replicant, none of the rest of the movie makes sense. To me the point has always been that the replicants have evolved towards humanity and humanity has moved more towards behaving like replicants.

(yes, of course I know about the unicorn stuff--I just....don't....care) :-)

Comments

[caias.livejournal.com]

Deckard has a great advantage. His investigative skills are incredible, which are more the key to the job, I believe.

Physical advantages would more and more tip off that he is not human (if one wants to believe that he is a replicant). Thus, a marked physical advantage might be a 'tell' in his implanted memories of his non-human state, which would interfere with doing his job.

Just a thought to throw out there, of course. :)

I prefer to think of Deckard as human, since otherwise it cheapens Roy Batty's final absolution as he saves Deckard's life; a replicant showing human compassion, saving his own soul when his attempts to get forgiveness from others only lead to murder.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I think his investigative skills are good but no more incredible than any other private eye or cop on a cop show ;-)

But yes, exactly, regarding Roy's saving Deckard's life. There would be no point to that scene.

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

I much prefer the thesis that Deckard is human (to hell with the unicorn!).

Do you think Deckard himself has any idea, at the end, whether he's human or not? To my mind the ending hinges on his not knowing. Not sure we, the audience, can ever really know either.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I agree completely!!

I don't think he does--how would he after all?--but I'm also not convinced it's something he thinks about too deeply, do you?

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

I think he decided to not think about it. I think he decided to pursue happiness -- in an almost desperate way -- while he has the time. However long that is.

Although, I could just be projecting... ;)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I agree with you.
Did you see the old one where the voiceover explained that Rachel, being a new model was not built to die after four years? I know that voiceover's not there any more but I still believe that --in my heart of hearts (yes, I'm a romantic--what can I say?) The weird thing is that that last scene in the first cut--where they're on a machine flying away --was sooo unnecessary--you know they're going to get away once Olmos walks away and they go into the elevator.

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've been able to keep all the versions straight in my head. But I do remember that hokey flying away scene. Gah! And the bit about Rachel having an extended lifespan does sound slightly familiar.

Will definitely have to check out the new(est) one.