Do Androids dream of an original soundtrack album? (Blade Runner - Vangelis - Soundtrack)

Member Name: sparkymarky1973

Product:	Blade Runner - Vangelis - Soundtrack
Date:	28/10/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very atmospheric, emotional and haunting album

Disadvantages: Will most likely not appeal to those who have not seen the film

Without any doubt in my mind or any question, if there is one film that is my overall favourite of all time then it simply has to be Blade Runner. The Definitive Edition released recently on DVD had no less than 5 different versions of the film included, as well as heaps of bonus features and is one of my most prized possessions. This soundtrack album, featuring incidental and background music as created by the artist Vangelis, is another....

I don't know exactly what it is about the film that captivates me so much. Is it the gritty, film-noir sets that summarise a very grim, dark and depressing future for humanity? Is it the gripping story-line that follows a retired Blade Runner as he tracks down his deadliest prey to date? Is it the moral questions and dilemas the film throws up during its passage or is it just Rutger Hauer's final moments that surely must go down in cinema history as one of the most memorable movie scenes ever shot?

One thing that does add to the whole atmosphere of Blade Runner is the music and this album is the best available soundtrack that recaptures all the best moments in the movie! From the very opening, with its dialogue taken from the scene in which Deckard (Harrison Ford's character) examines photographic evidence using his computer, just listening to this album takes you right back into the heart of the film! The whole soundtrack album featured here is so haunting, atmospheric and eerie that it could not possibly belong to any other film and Vangelis, best known perhaps for his work on the score of Chariots Of Fire, has simply excelled himself in his production. The inclusion of bits from the movie including Hauer's trademark, classic and best-loved monologue, also helps to set the mood creating an album that is a real joy to listen to for anyone who is a big, big fan of the film!

If you haven't seen this film however, Vangelis' album will bring very little to the table for you! In itself it is a fine collective of music, but it does need familiarity with the film to make it truly stand out in your mind. Much, much better than the orchestra reevamped version that was originally released, it is so much better to hear Vangelis music as it was intended.

And to a huge fan of this classic, classic awesome movie, this is quite simply one soundtrack album you cannot do without...

Summary: The perfect accompaniment to an awesome, awesome film....