It seems as though more and more often directors are choosing to go back and re-edit their old movies. Sometimes they change significant plot points, sometimes it is just an addition or subtraction of a few shots here and there, and sometimes it is a graphical/FX makeover. George Lucas is, of course, notorious for "tweaking" his Star Wars saga through the years. However, Lucas is not the only director to tread down this path.
Over 25 years ago, Ridley Scott directed Blade Runner, a futuristic-noir movie that takes place in Los Angeles in 2019 and is based on Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. From that time to this, multiple versions of the film have been released onto cassette tape, laser disc, and DVD. A few weeks ago the alleged "final cut" of the film was released.
The story still follows Rick Deckard, a retired detective brought back to the force in order to hunt down a group of replicants (androids) that have returned to Earth. Deckard was once a "blade runner," a police officer who specialized in the tracking down and "retiring" (read: killing) of replicants.
The replicants, led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), are after a way to extend their life, which was, during their manufacture, limited to four years for fear that the replicants would grow too many emotions and end up revolting against their human masters. Batty and his gang attempt, in various ways, to see their creator Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) in order to cajole him into extending their lifespan.
Deckard meanwhile has his own discussion with Tyrell on the nature of humanity and whether a replicant could not know that it was a replicant. Tyrell, in fact, created one such replicant, Rachel (Sean Young), who was unsure about her own status until Deckard outed her.
Blade Runner, in all its various forms, is a dark, brooding look at humanity. The film spends much time questioning the very nature of humanity and where we are headed, and does not tend to come up with joyous answers.
Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
"is Deckard a replicant?"
I wish I could track down a link, but Ridley had an interview not long ago where he finally answered and said yes, Deckard is a replicant.
2 - Mark Saleski
i heard that interview just a couple of days ago on my local npr affiliate.
3 - Mark Saleski
here's the interview
4 - El Bicho
I don't see how it was ever a question. It was obvious from the first version.