Blade Runner – Electric Unicorn Cut

one of the best!

*This rating was given before reviews were required*

*This rating was given before reviews were required*

*This rating was given before reviews were required*

This is a simple copy of the “review” i wrote on the faneditforum, and it’s strictly subjective.

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe”. That’s what i usually say to my friends when i try to introduce them to the marvelous world of fanedits. One of the most famous lines of one of the most overlooked movies of the 20th century. Just when i thought i’d finally seen the definitive edition of Blade Runner, following the release of the masterful ADM Extended Edition in 2008, along comes a firstling to razzle-dazzle me, once more. Once i saw the notice of a new BR edit, my heart skipped a beat, mostly because it is my favorite movie. Immediately i decided to download it, and, after watching it, there’s only one thing to say: it is extraordinary. In pure craftsmanship terms, the DVD presentation is flawless – i still can’t believe these aren’t simple “clones” of the Final Cut Edition menus -, and the artwork provided with the download is superb.

The inclusion of the “dictionary scene” at the beggining adds something, but wasn’t mandatory, by any extent, especially since the editor kept the text scroll. Technically speaking, this edit is virtually flawless, with no hard cuts, and excellent audio work. My two single and small gripes – apart from the minute difference in image quality of some integrated deleted scenes – are: if you’re listening to the voice-over audio track, Deckard’s monologue after he leaves Bryant’s office and heads for the Tyrrell building is somewhat redundant, since it basically provides the same information given in the Bryant-Deckard scene, minutes before (without the voice-over, this “problem” disappears, and the inclusion of these scenes is a major plus); a small continuity error in the Deckard’s apartment scene, later in the movie, when Rachel takes the glass off Deckard’s hand while he sleeps, but later on he awakes and almost drops the same glass – nothing of great importance, and probably only a BR maniac like me would notice.

I remember commenting recently on ADM’s Extended Edition and, almost forebodingly, stating that the absence of the Unicorn scene was the only thing that could possibly be discussed – i understand and respect ADM’s decision, and the edit is none the worse for it. However, spacemonk having decided to (re)integrate the Unicorn was a major plus for this particular edit, since, IMHO ofcourse, it adds another layer of metaphysical poetry to a movie that is, in itself, pure cinemat(ograph)ic and visual poetry. The integration of the deleted scenes was done masterfully, and the audio quality is remarkable. The inclusion of a “happy ending” once again distinguishes this edit from ADM’s, and choosing to post it after the end credits is a masterful stroke, allowing the viewer to choose to watch it, or not, while providing an extra amount of closure, if needed.

In closing, i must give this edit two thumbs up, and a 10 star-rating – only because it’s the same rating i gave ADM’s, and it would be unfair to do otherwise in regards to this one. However, i cannot recommend this edit over ADM’s, or vice-versa. I can only hope people get them BOTH, mainly because they complete eachother and, together, are the “final final cut” of a movie of which, someone, somewhere, once said “depicts a grimy, acid, polluted world. But i’d give anything to live in it.”

Bra-vo spacemonk.

PS: While you’re at it, and in the pursuit of completion, don’t miss Uncanny Antman’s superb splitscreen edition of Blade Runner. Another unmissable gem.