Time Is Just An Illusion.

Rating: 9/10 (6 January 2008)

I just finished watching the Final Cut version from the five disc briefcase edition that was just released. I've also been reading the other reviews here. For me, my Blade Runner experience began in 1984 when, at the age of 12, my friends and I were allowed to watch this R rated film by our parents. At 12 it resonated with me, particularly the philosophical aspects of the story, namely that all life is just fleeting like tears in the rain. The film instantly became one of my many favorites, but not the only favorite.
As I've talked to more and more people over the years about films I find I am now in the minority when it comes to appreciating Blade Runner. I admit, and will not argue that, the film is slow paced. In fact, I'm not surprised that the slow pacing turns many people off, especially nowadays when everything has to be edit, edit, edit. As for the screenplay having inconsistencies and being too thin--well it just might. I guess what I experience when watching Blade Runner is a unique vision--Ridley Scott's vision--of a possible future where like Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein", man has created androids in their own image, but they aren't happy. In fact, they are both angry and depressed that there's no purpose to life, that they have no control over when they will die and that the person who made them can't fix any of their problems.
So, I disagree with reviewers that say Blade Runner offers nothing to chew on or think about afterward. Yet, my wife completely didn't get Blade Runner. She just saw it as long, boring and confusing. Her perception focused on how Deckard's character is weakly written. How Harrison Ford did a poor job of acting along with Sean Young, Daryl Hannah and several others with the exception of Rutger Hauer who she felt did an excellent job of playing his role. She didn't like Vangelis's musical score and found it completely dated and inextricably tied to the 1980's. There is discord in this household tonight! To each their own. I think this is guy's film anyway. I don't know too many females that rave about Blade Runner (not even my wife). I also think that this film has a nostalgic value. I believe if you were alive and cognizant at the time this film was originally released it has a special place despite its shortcomings. I will always enjoy Blade Runner and its pessimistic view of life, after all pessimists are realists and closer to the actual truths in people and the world.