Blade Runner (1982) Review
A lot of people are very in between on whether they like Science Fiction or Futuristic/Space Fantasy as a genre,
which are very different in many capacities. Blade Runner is this movie that has a good mix of both: using the sci fi
setting and plot and using emotional elements and atmosphere you would expect to find in a Space/futuristic
fantasy. In the time this came out, this was a beautiful movie and remarkably holds up still. This movie has an
incredible aesthetic to it that made it so memorable without franchising it
LIKE ANOTHER GREAT SPACE FANTASTICYFILM THAT GOT BASTARDIZED DECADES LATER (IE STAR WARS>>>)
You feel immersed in the world the minute you're introduced to it which is an important aspect for a Sci Fi film as
large scaled as this. From the distinct differentiation of the humans and Ai with the pupil effects to the
stellar environments. With such impressive devotion for these particular details, it leaves room in the film for more
grandiose action filled storytelling. Funnily enough, the music at times gave an impression of an eastern Drama
which actually suited this Cyberpunk detective tale. Y’know before this film, I don’t think anything else could have
captured or defined what exactly “Cyberpunk” was as a genre. It truly set up the idea in it’s fruition.
“Philip K. Dick's 1968 sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, on which Blade Runner is based, confronts us with a Future America where everyone who is anyone has left for "Off-world" (the planets) and the seething human detritus left behind copes with an increasingly inchoate globe.” -Harlan Kennedy COURTESY T.P. MOVIE NEWS.
THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE JULY-AUG 1982 ISSUE OF FILM COMMENT.
Cast of pretty fascinating characters; Deckard's pretty cool but I still think Ford plays better for more
Scoundrel roles. Again this isn’t really a character study type movie nor one with a very profound protagonist, he’s
very much just your average tough guy with a gun. He is very abrupt about expressing his emotions especially in
really dramatic scenes like his blossoming romance with Rachel. Rachel wasn't fleshed out too well (unintended joke)
but her presence as as a supporting character played a bigger role for the subtle humanity theme. Their apartment
scene was nothing less than passionate and sexy with the intensity of their intimacy and even Deckard’s questionable
behavior. In the scheme of their development though, I liked it for what it was.
[A little rough-housin']
Deckard: Say kiss me.
Rachael: I can't rely on...
Deckard: Say kiss me.
Rachael: Kiss me.
Deckard: I want you.
Rachael: I want you.
Deckard: Again.
Rachael: I want you. Put your hands on me.
The dialogue wasn’t mechanical like you’d expect in a C grade Sci Fi film either, it was really well written. Great lines I enjoyed in the film that I didn’t quote here include:
"I remember piano lessons Idk if it's me or Tyrrell’s niece"- Rachel
"Nothing the god of biomechanics wouldn't let you in heaven for?"- Roy
Wasn't a fan of the Priss scene, it was mishandled just from how silly it looked. The replicants were insane, especially
in the final duel between Roy and Deckard. That monologue at the end was absolutely superb. Not the deepest film
but it leaves an impression on you questioning what makes a Human? Mind you, I don’t want this to be something
you’d read in the philosophy tab, but when you watch Blade Runner it begs the question. Initially what makes us
human (if you want to objectively put a human together) is our capacity for reason, emotions and memories. They
make a person who they are to a significant degree. The ability to recall events of your life or past experiences,
capacity to feel and express emotions complex as anger, love or sadness; imagine a complex Al with all those
qualities? What moral dilemmas does could this pose in an advanced society? Could it be considered an
"advanced" society if we are conflicted on what is considered human? I think the fact I found myself actually thinking
about these ideas did I grasp so much enjoyment from this movie.
“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 Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die.” -Roy
In the end, what's debatable is not whether there's "good guys" or "bad guys" in this film. It’s what makes you truly
human. Because throughout this movie it’s only people desperately grasping to live a life in each of their own
perspectives.