Blade Runner HD DVD box set gets reviewed
Blade Runner fanatics have been waiting for this five-disc collector's edition for a long, long time, and thankfully, the wait is finally over. 'Course, we're fairly confident the BR faithful will be snapping this one up regardless, but for those sitting squarely on the fence, BlogCritics has went ahead and given the HD DVD set a once over. Irrespective of your opinion on the actual storyline, the scenery throughout the film was said to be "stunning," and moreover, it reportedly exhibits "one of the greatest restoration jobs you'll ever see." Granted, only the latest cut of the movie was so "lovingly redone," so we're warned to prepare for subpar quality when viewing the theatrical cut and workprint version. On the audio side, the Dolby TrueHD mix managed to impress, and while the package is chock-full of extras, it should be noted that two of the five discs (holding the three-hour documentary and an array of featurettes) are actually standard DVDs. All in all, this one sounds like a surefire winner for fans of the original, but make sure you give the full review a glance before deciding either way.

















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
domerdel @ Dec 19th 2007 6:52PM
they're both good on both formats. not sure why HD-DVD is getting the spotlight via E-HD
wayde @ Dec 19th 2007 7:17PM
HD DVD is the 'better' format.
Blade Runner was awesome in HD DVD but I'm sure it's no better or worse in Blu-ray. I gave my full thoughts on it here.
http://www.gizmorepublic.com/media/blade-runner-hits-dvd-hd-dvd-and-blu-ray-1420
DVD+RW @ Dec 19th 2007 7:19PM
Wow you Blu fans are even sensitive to what picture gets used for the post?
You guys really need help.
domerdel @ Dec 19th 2007 10:43PM
i dont care which photo they use, check the headline.
domerdel @ Dec 19th 2007 7:26PM
attention hd-dvd fanbase:
It was only brought to my attention because typically E-HD doesn't cite or write articles on movie reviews, and since this is a dual-format release, with the same encode, i'm not sure how "better" it could be on one format vs. another.
I was asking for Diversity in the post, that's all.
TJ @ Dec 19th 2007 7:41PM
I went into Best Buy on Tuesday to pick it up on Blu-ray, but it was already sold out. They still had a few copies on HD DVD, but I really prefer the Blu-ray in cases like these.
Regardless of your format preference, the disc is selling well. Hopefully this will encourage Warner to do more of these ultimate editions.
Chaz @ Dec 19th 2007 8:30PM
I've never seen this, but by the look and sound of it, it's one of those must-have titles. So what does everyone here think? Is it worth adding to my HD-DVD collection?
I do my best to only buy "must-have" movies that I definately know will get watched multiple times over the years.
RikF @ Dec 19th 2007 10:09PM
Wow, one of the most influential science fiction films of all time given a two star review... Complaints about an ending which leaves things open smacks of someone who wants his films spoon fed to him - perhaps he'd have been happier with Spiderman 3?
shawnmos @ Dec 20th 2007 12:37AM
Highdefdigest gives is a perfect raiting:
http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/1040/bladerunner_cce.html
HDpurist @ Dec 20th 2007 2:06AM
This Blade Runner release on both formats is really too bad...a lower 30GB encode to fit the small HD-DVD discs which is used also for the BD 50GB discs release. Wow what a waste of 20GB on BD...
Robinator @ Dec 20th 2007 3:53AM
Wow. A little naive.
It's not a waste of 20GB. This film uses the VC1 encode which is highly efficient (rated as 'stunning' in most reviews). Remember Blu-Ray only has the extra space to allow for its support of the 'old fashioned' outdated MPEG2 format.
John B @ Dec 20th 2007 9:23AM
Robinator,
Don't feed the troll, please.
HDPurist is one of the reasons why I'm really starting to lean towards HD DVD; however, Nfinity's equivalent zealotry is helping to push me back towards the centrist position.
Regardless, these two clowns are starting to make reading the comment threads a painful thing to do, which is really sad ... as are they.
Music Pirate @ Dec 20th 2007 5:32AM
Going to grab this title over the weekend. :)
HDpurist @ Dec 22nd 2007 4:03PM
@Music Pirate, nice avatar (picture). It says alot about the maturity of HD-DVD farmboys. Glad HD-DVD is near dead, nothing left to feed these clowns except to post pictures of "Blu-ray SUCKs!"
Region Free HD @ Dec 20th 2007 7:19AM
From the DVD Beaver review: "Prepare to be overwhelmed!"
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews34/blade_runner_HD_Blu-ray.htm
jonto81 @ Dec 20th 2007 8:09AM
I am going to have to order this one from America, in the UK we can only get a 2 disc version and I want the full ultimate collection (the one with the Brief case) so it'll cost me about 40 and onther 30 in shipping :-(
Eric @ Dec 20th 2007 11:28AM
" BlogCritics has went ahead and given the HD DVD set a once over."
Excuse me? HAS WENT? Someone needs his/her coffee this morning before being allowed to touch a keyboard. ;-D