Read the Book...

Rating: 5/10 (29 December 2006)

PLEASE read the book: "Do Androids Dream of ELectric Sheep" from which this movie originates ! In-a-nutshell: What appeared on screen (and I have seen both versions) is NOT at all accurate/faithful to what Dick wrote ! In fact, this gloomy/doomy scenario is vastly different, given how the book is COMEDY... and not even necessarily 'black' at that ! Mr. Dick, famously, saw things through rather 'rusty' rather than 'rosy' spectacles, but his novel IS funny, and fun to read, whereas "Blade Runner" (which in fact is a name borrowed from ANOTHER source, entirely), is completely lacking in humor on any level, unless you find it funny to be asked about your mother, and react by 'offing' someone for posing that question.
And, contrary to what the first reviewer states, I happen to feel that WITH the added 'Voice Over' and PERHAPS with the 'happy ending' (that being a rather relative term), the movie as first presented IS 'closer' to the novel... at least, the novel's quality is reminiscent in hearing the Voice Over content, which sometimes even borders upon a sort of ironic humor.
Someday, if we are lucky, someone WILL make a version of this movie that IS faithful to the book, and we will all be the better off for it ! Meanwhile, let me make clear that I am a long-standing and well-versed avid fan of Science Fiction, and to call this POSSIBLY, even, "The Best Sci-Fi Film EVER" is really a misjudgement. I am well aware that there IS quite a 'cult-following' and a plentitude of fans for this movie, who may argue over the merits of its two different releases (and I happen to own BOTH), BUT...
Might I suggest that the ORIGINAL "War of the Worlds" (tho' laughingly dated by the 50's cars in it), and "The Forbidden Planet" (with an unfortunate all-Theremin soundtrack) are tons better VISUALLY ? Yes, Blade Runner presents some very interesting and visually astute views, but, so what ? It is rather bleak, and not terribly stunning. "This Island Earth" is another 50's era Sci-Fi that I happen to like, not one that I would say is 'possibly the best ever' but one that I would vote for as having one of the best TITLES of 'all time' and a Flick with some very interesting visuals... (too bad the original has gotten censored and cut, there was a rather 'shocking' scene with nudity when the two main protagonists get 'prepared' for space travel... but, then, the 'creatures' in it are a bit too laughable by today's standards).
All three that I mention should be seen before voting for 'Best Ever' I think. Too, consider "The Day Earth Stood Still" which unlike the others is B & W, and has even more 'weaknesses' as far as Special Effects go, BUT it tells an important and meaningful 'story' delivering a significant 'message' that is still as relevant today as it was so many decades ago ! I won't say that IT is 'best ever' but, well, MAYBE it's message is ?
Just expressing "My popcorn's worth".