Dark and beautiful.

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2009)

Blade Runner, where do I start? It's loosely based on PKD's "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?". I had the luxury of reading the book before watching the movie. I felt that although there are huge differences between the film and the novel, the overall feel and message was still there.
What is life? What is a soul? These questions come to mind as the story of Deckard and the 'replicant' fugitives plays out. The story is phenomenal, the acting is superb. Rutger Hauer is amazing, and instantly became one of my favorite actors of all time after watching the ending sequence where Roy chases Deckard - and notably when Roy interacts with his 'creator'. "I want more life!" The production quality of Blade Runner is unreal. Made in a film-making era where CG was just being touched upon, and scaled models were still an industry standard; I can't believe my eyes whenever I see aerial views of the city. The special effects were made with extreme care, and are used in a subtle and tasteful manner.
The way Deckard interacts with the futuristic city is EXTREMELY believable. I have a hard time thinking that there's a camera crew just barely off screen. The level of immersiveness is untouched by CG scifis like the new Star Wars prequels, for example.
It's a visual feast - the characters are perfect, the story and the philosophical questions around it are deep and necessary as well. Nothing feels forced. The setting and it's inhabitants are natural and believable. I watch this movie always wanting more. I wonder what Ridley Scott could've done with a bigger budget and maybe an hour or two more. I heard Blade Runner flopped when it released in theaters. That's hard to imagine. I can't fathom the idea that this movie wasn't successful from the get-go.
I'd like to personally say that this is my favorite movie of all time. I think it should be considered as important to the science fiction genre as "Metropolis". I don't care what genre of film you prefer, I think everybody who takes anything for more than just face value should give Blade Runner a watch.