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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Blade Runner
    Genre:Science Fiction

    Reviewed In Issue 04 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos, Daryl Hannah, Joanna Cassidy.

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 4
    Sound Rating: 3.5
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Criterion Collection
    (Catalog Number): CC1120L
    (MPAA Rating): R
    (Retail Price): $89.95
    (Running Time In Minutes): 118
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Theatrical Release): 1982
    (LD Release Date): 11/01/89
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Ridley Scott
    (Screenplay/Written By): Hampton Fancher & David Peoples
    (Story): NA
    (Music): Vangelis
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Lawrence G. Paull
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Terry Rawlings
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): NA
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Michael Deeley

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 2.35:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 2.48:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A & 70mm 6 Track Dolby
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    This is the splendid director’s cut of this cult classic film, definitely made better by the elimination of Ford’s faux-noir voiceover. For the uninitiated, Ford plays an ex-cop brought back to hunt androids-gone-bad in 21st century Los Angeles. An adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”

    LaserDisc Picture:


    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The soundtrack on the discs is not up to today’s high fidelity standards and the dynamics are restrained. Warner’s sound is a bit distorted particularly on the peaks, while Criterion’s has the better bass response. Nevertheless the mood set by the Vangelis score and the futurist sound effects is mesmerizing.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition:
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
    The Warner release is slightly different than the poor quality theatrical work print that was shown last year at the Mann Village Theatre in Los Angeles. Warner’s picture transfer is a bit sharper, brighter, and overall superior to Criterion’s with a slightly stronger sense of color. Color tends to the warmer hues on the Warner release while the Criterion is a bit cooler in appearance, yet darker. The finer detail resolution on the Warner release enhances the awesome special effects, set designs, and cinematography that in combination with the pace and mood enhances the film’s artistic significance. While both versions’ aspect ratio measure 2.48:1, the Warner version has been recomposed within a windowboxed 2.48:1 area for slightly more image at the sides of the screen.