Is this the face of 2019?

Blade Runner (1982) – A Review

Director ~ Ridley Scott

Producer ~ Michael Deeley

Writers ~ Hampton Fancher, David Peoples

Starring ~ Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos

Blade Runner is the pure definition of a cult film. When released in the 80s it was both a box office and critical failure but since then has become a highly influential, early pioneer of neo noir in film. It is set in the urban, dystopian future of 2019 where Los Angeles is a polluted, cultural melting point. The visuals are stunning, creating this highly stylistic cityscape that is both high tech and decaying. The soundtrack is also fantastic written by Greek composer, Vangelis, who combines classical music with synthesizers to create a surreal, futuristic sound. The constant rain, and omnipresent night give the film a melancholic atmosphere that heightens the isolation of the main character, Richard Deckard. 

The film follows the ex-cop and ‘Blade Runner’, Deckard (Harrison Ford), who is brought back by the authorities to perform one last assignment. He must track a group of replicants, manufactured robots that look identical to humans, and 'retire' them. Replicants were made by Tyrell Corporation for dangerous or laborious work in off-world colonies and are not allowed on Earth. The real beauty in the story isn’t so much the plot itself, but how the replicants make us consider humanity and the consequences of mastering genetic engineering. The replicants appear to display human qualities so what is it distinguishing them from people that allows them to be used, essentially, as slaves without any moral consequence? In order to discover replicants, empathy tests are used to check for their 'humanness' - yet funnily as the film develops the replicants show more compassion for each other than the actual people do causing the audience to re-examine what it is to be human.  The film also looks at the effect of technologic advances on the environment and the human race.  Additionally there is a strong aura of oppression from the constant presence of police and dominating corporations. 

For a science fiction film it was ground breaking as it has remarkable depths and managed to blend together the film noir and sci-fi genres seamlessly. The performances were good, but the directing is what makes this movie the classic that it is. Ridley Scott creates an intoxicating world that will have you going back for more time and time again. This film is truly a work of art. 

Favourite Quotes ~

Leon: Nothing is worse than having an itch you can never scratch! 

Tyrell: "More human than human" is our motto.

Gaff: It's too bad she won't live! But then again, who does? 

Deckard: Sushi. That's what my ex-wife called me - cold fish.