Sci-Fi noir classic

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2012)

Of all the science fiction movies that came out in the 80s from George Lucas's Star Wars to Robert Zenekis's Back to the Future, this one seems to be of the more talked about, high rated and influential. Even 30 years after its initial release you can still feel its influence in most science fiction films to this day. The story is adapted from Philp Dick's novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep and it is a very loose adaptation with events and characters from the novel either changed or omitted but the film takes a creative approach to the novel giving it an art-house feel. Unfortunately most modern audiences who haven't read the book or seen the movie for the first time might be bored by its slow pacing and lack of action since it was advertised as a sci-fi action film.
In order to appreciate this film you have to understand the time period in which it was released. Back in the 80s sci-fi was at its peak with releases such as The Empire Strikes Back, Star Trek The Wrath of Khan, and E.T which were all box office hits at the movies with their fantasy and adventure approaches to their stories. Blade Runner on the other hand had a more unique approach with its dark and depressing depiction of the future L.A., pollution, overpopulation and Eastern culture influences with a touch of noir mixed with philosophy, a noir narration spoken by Harrison Ford and an atmospheric soundtrack by Vangelis. Not to mention Ford playing a dark anti-hero role rather than the big screen hero role that most audiences associated him with. All this led to its failure at the box office and it wouldn't be heard from again until its revival in 1993 with the release of a directors cut which the director Ridley Scott was not involved that omitted the narration and changed the ending which led to its popularity with cult audiences. In 2007 Ridley Scott returned to Blade Runner and added some clean up to the movie, added a few extra scenes and minimal CG to create his definitive edition of Blade Runner.
The performances in this movie are great with Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer as the standouts. The production and setting design is well done giving it a great and unique noir atmosphere which has been highly influential in most science fiction movies since then. And the action scenes are great and intense even emotional at times. As for story its both hit and miss. Its got a great and thought provoking premise and a great setting to put it in but some of the characters are underdeveloped but maybe they are supposed to be that way because of the ideas that the movie presents to the viewer of the differences between emotional man and unemotional synthetic human and what it means to be human.
Its a great movie but not for casual audiences who want fast paced action and adventure. Since there are multiple versions of the movie go for the Final Cut for the better experience. 9 out of 10 stars. Despite this films flaws. I never get bored with this film no matter how many times I watch it. It's that good but that's just me. You have to figure out for yourself if this is a great film or not.