Original largely better than D.C.

Rating: Null/10 (29 January 2001)

I have recently seen both the original version of "Blade Runner" and the Director's Cut. I must say that I found the latter to be rather disappointing. I have seen other Director's Cuts and Special Editions, (i.e. "The Abyss" and the "Star Wars" Trilogy) and found them far superior and more enjoyable than the originals, and I expected such to be the case with B.R., but it wasn't.
I disagree with those who didn't favour the narration voiceover. I didn't think it was "hoaky" at all. Deckard's monologue explained several points to us that we wouldn't have known without it. I also liked the lighter, so-called "contrived" ending better than the abrupt cut-off of the D.C. I was glad to see that Deckard and Rachael found a refuge to live out the rest of their lives together. (Those of you who think this is too "fairy tale," remind me how it is that sci-fi movies are supposed to end. Is it to always be an apocalyptic doom for our heroes?)
The one thing that I was overjoyed to see in the D.C. and was very disappointed it didn't make it to the first version is the unicorn vision, which suggests that Deckard himself may be a Replicant. This is the only thing that really makes the Director's Cut worthwhile for me. Now I recognise the extra significance of the paper unicorn at the end. (Gaff is saying to Deckard: "I know what is in your dreams, what is in your memories," revealing Deckard to himself just as he did to Rachael earlier in the film.)
I do wish that this 12 second scene had been included in the original, because it just adds all that much more depth to the film, but I do however prefer the original to the re-release.