It’s somewhat amusing when a film is panned by critics domestically, ends up doing poorly at the box office and year later has become a cult classic. Then again, there’s a chance that some of the movies I’ve given bad reviews to will one day become cult classics themselves, but let’s hope that’s not the case. Blade Runner, the film based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is one such case. Over time, there have been a number of versions of the film released, but with the Final Cut having been released, Blade Runner makes yet another return to home video.

As with another Warner release seen recently which has been enjoying a huge wave of popularity, Blade Runner has been released once again on DVD, BluRay, and HD-DVD, so all of the different formats are covered, though one of these in years to come will be a thing of the past while another I feel will ultimately throw in the towel while a new successor takes hold of the video marketplace. The Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition is the pinnacle of the film, at least currently, and is one of those releases that one day, will be commanding a rather large sum from collector’s who didn’t buy it initially.

This review will not look at the film itself which is available as a separate, five-disc collection, but instead the novelty of the Ultimate Collector's Edition, something that many Blade Runner fans put at the top of their list. We’ve all see the pictures of the briefcase with the Blade Runner logo splashed across it, and this isn’t the size of the DVD or BluRay case as this collection offers quite a bit more. The case is actually made of a light plastic and is quite a center piece for any video collection, but it’s what’s inside that truly counts.

Obviously the five disc edition of Blade Runner on BluRay is included with the package, but there is quite a bit more than just this. Many have talked about the signed letter from Ridley Scott, and this is included, but get ready for a bit of a disappointment if you were expecting that he was going to hand sign these. In fact, the letter is merely reprinted on a piece of heavy plastic, and while it is signed, you’re not get a legitimate autograph like you may have assumed. Personally, I’m not bothered by this in the least and the plastic letter actually fits in nicely with the theme of the collection.

The set also includes a motion film clip which is a lenticular image housed within a magnetic, plastic frame and this in turn is protected in a plastic sleeve just in case you’re not up to displaying it. There is also a “dossier” folder which has production artwork from the movie on one side and notes on the other. These are quite interesting to examine see how some have subtle differences while others are almost completely accurate to their cinematic depiction.

Some people think the final extras are a bit on the childish and ridiculous side, but that really depends I think on your love of the movie. There is a plastic, origami unicorn just like the one seen in the director’s cut of the movie. The flying police car seen in the film is also replicated, complete with opening doors, and for those who think it’s a bit silly, think about this; if you could get a Back to the Future Collection that included a miniature of the De Lorean, you know you would.

With just a little over 100,000 of these in release, the Blade Runner Ultimate Collector's Edition is a must own piece of science fiction, cyberpunk cult mania that has withstood critics, bad reviews, and the test of time. Limited editions are always good for collector’s, but when they are presented like this, it makes it even more prestigious to own.

-mike-