Finally, something to really sink my teeth or ears into as well as mind! I've only previously owned the 1982 faux soundtrack.It is the BR orchestrated and jazzed up version which could stand on it's own merit as a pretty good album for background evening-dinner music. Yet,it falls way short in length and in capturing the futuristic electronic sounds that Vangelis originally created.If it captured any semblance to the film, it did it in a very,very different way that us fans were luke warm about but accepted because it was the only release at the time.Seven years later,some of us Blade Runner Original Soundtrack seekers were even mercilessly teased with three tracks that officially appeared for the first time on Vangelis' 1989 Themes compilation(actually, the song Memories Of Green came from his 1980 album "See You Later")!Then,I purchased the 1994 version when it was first released (twelve years after the film's initial release).I was blown away with it.Loved it---still do.Sure, I realized that there were some "vital" musical passages or score cues missing and what so many,such as myself, wanted from the movie and bootlegs to be included ,on that release, were not.However, I was satisfied with what Vangelis did release and even welcomed and highly enjoyed the tracks not in the film such as Wait For Me, Rachel's Song, Blush Response and Damask Rose. Over the years, I've listened to a multitude of sci-fi film soundtracks that have tried to imitate Blade Runner, such as The Fifth Element(and I am a fan of French music composer Eric Serra). Numerous other soundtracks as well have tried to duplicate that Vangelis magic.Yet, I always come back to the soundtrack of Blade Runner. Vangelis is unique and a one of a kind musical artist;There is no other like him!

I can say that Disc 2 I have listened to with the lights low,and with my eyes closed most of the time in a quiet room;The mental imagery,the nostalgic feeling, the overall mood that Vangelis created with this second disc is pure genius.In sum, it is amazing material.One word, and it may be a bit overused and a bit cliched, but is the one that fits is melancholy.Tracks like One Alone, Desolation Path, Empty Streets,and the "re-mixing" or insertion of wind effects for Fading Away really seal this disc's somber and rich ambient mood,yet,also maintains a very desolate and introspective feel(the music makes one think and conjure mental visuals--either of the film itself or whatever comes to the mind of the listener---it's cerebral music).The other tracks on disc 2 have a sort of menacing tension(At Mr. Chew's,Deckard and Roy's Duel,Leon's Room).Either way,the second disc makes one think!Some have complained about the bleeps and bloops and "gimmicky" sound effects added;They are anything but gimmicky and do serve purpose in enhancing the music without coming across as stereotypical sci-fi tacky sound effects shlock.

Disc 3 "BR25" was just an excuse for Vangelis Papathanassiou(say that five times real fast) to release a wonderful new album without selling or offering two different packages at the same time to buyers.Disc 3 is the "hopeful" and "slightly uplifting" part of the Blade Runner realm that somewhat contrasts with the dark and brooding,moody,stark and somber feel of the rest of the film's soundtrack(there's a bit of useage of the sax).Anyone who has ever heard or owns Vangelis' 1990 release The City or 1988's Direct will see where he is coming from by infusing spoken word and a sort of jazzy swaggering feel to some tracks on BR25. This disc really has a noirish nature or vibe with a slight/faint/hint of pop-techno lilt or twist(but not enough to shove this disc into mediocrity or sell out status)! Some may find the spoken words to be distracting.For me, they only add or enhance.Overall,with Disc 3, whether one is tranpsorted into the future of BR or any future or anywhere else, one thing is for sure;You will be transported to an imaginative and visual destination. I agree with another reviewer who said that Disc 3 takes the listener to what may be another part of the Blade Runner Los Angeles area that we did not get to see on film;Another part of the 'hood---away from Deckard,Rachel,Roy,Pris and Dr. Tyrell.It's the "meanwhile -in -another- location- of- Los Angeles 2019" extension to the BR world;It could even be another city entirely such as San Francisco(as in the actual novel by Phillip K. Dick),who knows.It could even be events that happened after the film ends and another Blade Runner detective has his own adventures.I digress.

NO tantrums thrown here towards Vangelis for not releasing what so many, myself included, thought was going to be the absolute and definitive holy grail of the Blade Runner soundtrack(the one that would have finally put all those bootlegs to shame---however, I really don't want to hear the John Williams film company logo/movie trademark tune at the very beginning that some of the bootlegs have---jeesh).As I write this, another thought came across my mind---a sort of semi-comical one, though to the die hard fans, it is anything but;What if Vangelis said to himself,"Alright, so there are bootlegs that have been circulating all these years---I'll really show them. Now I'm NEVER gonna release the entire score! That'll teach 'em!"Basically, makes me wonder if Vangelis thought or said, "Eh,s---w 'em!..."-------I'm counting the blessings (other unreleased material,bonus tracks,new album) and not the omissions with this 25th Anniversary Edition of Blade Runner.

I can only reiterate what other reviewers have mentioned or noted;If you are a Vangelis fan or music collector of his works,ESPECIALLY his soundtrack releases, then you know how he releases,edits, and even re-mixes his material(I have a couple of his soundtracks where the same song has been altered or remixed for the album release from the film version). He's never been one to succumb to the masses or what the public wants.Is that a selfish artist or artistic genius? You decide. This sheer musical artistry comes from a man that neither reads nor writes music!There are a number of soundtracks over the years that he has not released "officially" ;The Bounty, Missing, and Bitter Moon come to mind.

By the way,do I wish that Vangelis had given us "Deckard Meets Rachel", the stark and minimalist haunting drum and keyboard intro at the begininng of the opening credits cues or the uber extended versions of Blade Runner Blues,End Titles,Wounded Animals,Dangerous Days? You bet. Am I steamed or feel cheated. No way. I have heard on YouTube the missing cues(Deckard Meets Rachel,Opening Credits, etc.) and original extended versions ( Blade Runner Blues , End Titles,Wounded Animals/Dangerous Days) that are not on the official release and do understand how remarkable those tracks are.However, now owning this 25th Anniversary Blade Runner Edition,I am glad I did not pass this up based on certain score cues missing or two minutes missing from this track or five from that track!

Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary is absolutely worthy of the five golden stars (I only wonder how long the digipack cd case will hold up since this release will receive a lot of listening sessions from me)...

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.8 (850 ratings)
Price	$29.98
Category	Ambient

Blade Runner Trilogy: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack + Score

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