Tears... in... Rain. Time... to Die...

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2014)

Influence, upon influence, upon influence. That is what Ridley Scott has gave "and will" give generations of future film-makers with his magnum opus, "BLADE RUNNER". Credited personally by Ridley himself as the best film he ever did, I don't even know where to begin writing a review on this. The man just finished the behemoth that is "Alien" (1979), and proves he still had a lot more to offer the science fiction genre. Like Alejandero Jodorowsky before him, failure to get an adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune" going, made him sign on to work on this masterpiece.
If you haven't seen it, here's what your missing. Futuristic city visuals set in a dirty, smoke ridden Los Angeles, Androids i.e. "Replicants" in the form of a young Daryl Hannah, and a career best from Rutger Hauer. Stellar action scenes evoking classic Film-Noir, and possibly my favourite of all Harrison Ford performances ("Raiders" is my favourite film & Han Solo is my favourite smuggler, but in this role he finally gives us a gruff detective persona that fits well within what he's capable of).
The film itself gets very philosophical. The entire narrative derives heavily from the classic Phillip K. Dick novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep", which I've read and adored. But even doing so the film questions who is & isn't human, a class system of sorts, what is a human made of via. depth and mind and is our hero a replicant himself? Questions that come off less preachy and more profound towards the movies conclusion. Though I found it very complex first time around, future showings had lifted the smoke around the movie to reveal one of the best cinematic experiences around. But I cannot not mention that I saw the "Directors Cut" first, then the "Final Cut" (2007 - a gorgeous restoration). I have the big collectors box set, and must get round to the following versions.
Other than that, everything about it looks like it jumped out of an illustration. Vangelis music makes everything grand especially in the hallway of mirrors, and final moments on top of rooftops and final soliloquies have gone on to become immortalised in cinema.
Final Verdict: 10/10. A stunning piece that will remain timeless. However, I really am not looking forward to the sequel in production.