Blade Runner (1982)

I can think of few films that are as magical and enchanting as Blade Runner. I could feel an unrelenting sense of awe as I watched, as if put under a spell. And years after it's release it's visuals are still wonderous and it's ethical message still poignant, now more than ever.

Directed by the masterful Ridley Scott and an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", Blade Runner is set in a dystopian cyberpunk LA where a corporation called Tyrell manufacture anroid humanoid "Replicants" for off-world colony slave labour, too hazardous for humans. However, these Replicants are self-aware beings with a tendency to rebel and so are fitted with a failsafe of a mere 4 year life span and a special police unit called Blade Runners are created to hunt down ones who turn rogue. The best of these Blade Runners being our protagonist, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) who has quit, however is dragged back in for one final gruling job. I forgot to mention that this film infact takes place in 2019, exactly 4 days from time of posting but you never know what could happen between now and then.

Firstly, wow. The cinematography in this movie is timelessly wonderful and mesmiring to say the least. It's intricate and ambient set pieces never cease to amaze, drawing influence from classic 40's noirs but with a grim cyberpunk twist. Cramped, dimly neon lit, grime ridden streets drenched in rain, blanketed in a granite fog juxtaposed with the monolithic, enchanting pyramids of the Tyrell Corporation that glimmer golden in the sun, swarming with with flying cars that dart over the horizon. The presence of dynamic and emotive lighting is tenacious and hypnotic. When matched up perfectly with it's spellbinding yet haunting synth score the mindblowing, breathing, filthy, world of 2019 L.A is brought to life.

The visual effects (especially for the time) are really remarkable; utilising highly detailed miniature models look more believable than much of modern CG. This authenticity and effort is merely one of the many things that makes the film an imperishable classic. Ridley sinks so much effort into building a beyond believeable world that is both parts beautiful and bleak that once the film ends you won't want to leave it.

It is easy to find films to compare it to due to it's gargantuan genre defining impact. Modern films like the live-action Ghost In The Shell and Alita and their anime counterparts. It is very similar to a sub-genre of cyberpunk Japanese Anime such as Akira. Movies that Blade Runner share a universe with, in particular Prometheus and Alien Covenant also draw influence in their style of directing style and philosophical ramblings.

At it's heart Blade Runner is a story of what makes us human, more so in a world where organic replicas can be manufactured like we can manufacture a car. Rutger Haugher's performance as Roy brings life and despite his character having said to be "just developing emotions". The replicants appreciate art, philosophy, poetry, humour the fragility of life (as embodied by the final electrifying monologue) and feel true love. He is brilliantly contrasted by Harrison Ford's robotic performance of Decakrd that feels so right. Not only is his behaviour robotic but so are his intentions, he does as he has been assigned with an autonomous rigidity allowing for a subtle character growth. This opposes the Replicants he hunts who flaunt their free-will that he is tasked to rip away.

There is a controversial scene later on in the film that adds layers to this philosophy by bringing up more ethical questions. If replicants are machines and objects do they have conscent? Is Ford highlighting the vulgar behaviour of humans and questioning if repugnant actions are infact our true humanity? Is it love that makes us human, if so the Replicant's are "more human than human". Deckard has no question in blindly taking the life of a "being" that he views as no more than an object and drinks to forget instead of healthily confronting his behaviour, unlike Roy who knows he has done wrong but did it for a reason and is audibly ashamed by these "questionable things" since he works for a greater goal of freeing his people.

The film not only questions what does it mean to be human but also what humanity is as a concept. The android characters are "more human than human" they are also as J.F Sebastian puts it "well you're... so perfect." Is it that their artsy ramblings and passionate performances are what creates a facade of humanity? Does it undermine their humanity and it is our flaws and repulsive behaviour that we can call human?

All these questions are toppled by just one; is it memory that makes us human? Especially if they are not our own. It is this that causes Deckard to blur the line between man and artifical man, asking whether he himself is a replicant. By the end, the audience too sympathise with the murderous Replicants, who only want to live just a little longer.

These are simply a few of the ethical questions woven in amongst the films groundbreaking visuals and charm filled performances.

For a younger viewer this persistent philosophy may be seem boring but as much as it is deep, Blade Runner is very much a great crime detective thriller with some surprisingly good action sequences and thrilling chases, each one unique to the Replicant being hunted. Although they are few and far between it makes them so much more suspenseful when they finally arrive (complimented by some great camera work) and build the final tense confrontation into an unforgettable moment of cinema. Suspense builds throughout as the audience piece together evidence and follow Dekard into unique and quirky locations that seem fitting to any detective movie, constantly asking themselves who is hunting who, making for a more than tense and enjoyable ride!

If you aren't yet convinced Blade Runner is a masterpiece that can appeal to almost any cinema goer, then let me finish by telling you that this film has in my opinion the best monologue in all of cinema. The audience understand and feel the poetry and pressure of the a 2 hour movie in just 42 improvised words. When a machine becomes human and humans become dehumanised we must assess our outlook on the world, a world that is drowning in what we choose to call "progress". If that does not convince you, watch the film and see for yourself the wonder that is this masterpiece of science fiction. It would reccomend to any sci-fi or thriller fan or anyone that likes to sound deep in-front of their friends but is entertaining for all thanks to it's visuals, score and intense game of cat and mouse.

Fun fact: Blade Runner actuall shares a universe with the Alien, Prometheus and Predator movies as well as a lesser known film called Soldier.