I don’t recall exactly when I saw Blade Runner for the first time. I remeber seeing it when I was very young, on national television, with my mother, who by the way, introduced and exposed me to Sci-Fi at an early age.

Years passed until I watched Blade Runner again, I was 19 and this time it was the Director’s Cut on DVD, one of the first I bought. Watching this movie at this age is something of a life changing event, you have a different sensibility, understanding and maturity which is indeed needed to appreciate a movie like Blade Runner. I have friends that until this day don’t understand the greatness of Ridley’s masterpiece.

I became a fan, of the movie, of the wonderful Vangelis soundtrack (which btw I’m listening right as I write this), of all that derranged world / universe and necessary darkness needed to make it work. I read Philip k. Dick’s book that was the source for the adaptation “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and even got the excellent Blade Runner game from Westwood.

Blade Runner is a 27 year old movie, but it still manages to be up to date, which is incredible. In todays movie industry, movies are made like fast food, ready to be consumed and disposed of. But BR is more than a sci-fi flick, for me, Ridley’s Blade Runner (along with Gibson’s Neuromancer) defined the concept of Cyberpunk in perfection and set grounds for a whole generation of sci-fi works.

The latest iteration of Blade Runner is the Final Cut, which it’s the only of the 7 BR versions that Ridley Scott had complete artistic control. This is also known as the “25th Year Anniversary Edition” since it was released to celebrate BR’s anniversary. This is probably the most common edition to be found on stores, and it’s one of the best to watch. The image and sound has been remastered and there’s a Full HD version on Bluray. Still, if you really want a crash course on Blade Runner, get the 5 Disc Collector’s edition with the Final Cut, the 1982 Theatrical Version, the 1982 International Version and the 1992 Director’s Cut. This pack also includes the excellent documentary Dangerous Days which tells the compelling and controversy story of the movie’s production. Amazon.com has it for $21.99 and it’s region free, meaning you can watch it everywhere, and while you’re at it, get the 25 Year Anniversary Soundtrack, you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.