My Favorite Movie of All Time

Rating: 10/10 (25 September 2018)

When I think of Blade Runner, two defining characteristics come to my head. The first being the stunning aesthetic from beginning to end. Ridley Scott went above and beyond with his use of visual stimulation from the very first scene to the moment credits begin to roll. My second main characteristic of Blade Runner is the complex story happening in the background and the many nuanced clues that don't show themselves until the third of fourth viewing of the film. The screenplay is often seen as "boring" and "slow-paced". But after a deep analysis, nearly every second of the film is crucial to the not only the story, but the masterful tension throughout the story.
By itself, Blade Runner is a genre-defining film. Very few films before it had doven into the science fiction genre with such unique style. This style is a large reason for the film becoming relevant in pop culture. The dystopian pollution paired with the neon, over-stimulated, corporate propaganda make the iconic Blade Runner aesthetic that many come to know and love. The deep blues and purples and the overall dark color palette is gloomy enough to set the tone of the film but beautiful enough to keep the watcher engaged. Speaking of visuals, the CGI is crucial to the discussion. By modern standards, the CGI was decent. But for this level of detail and clarity to be achieved on such a grand scale back in 1982 is nothing short of amazing. This film is made for the movie watchers with a taste for visual beauty.
Even beyond the visuals, the rest of the film is fantastic. The soundtrack written by Vangelis is very fitting for the film. It's very unique, and helps guide the viewer to the themes of each scene. I could also write an entire paper on the complexity of the story itself, but I will stick to the amazing story within the story. On first viewing, the superficial story of Decker finding and killing rogue Replicants is obvious. After a deeper analysis, an even deeper story emerges. Replicants are usually easy to identify with the red tint of the pupil, and can be even better identified with the heightened strength, durability, etc. But after a deep analysis, the story quietly suggests that Decker MIGHT be the very thing he is payed to kill. A single scene with his pupils glowing for only a few frames and the Unicorn issue have sparked debates that rage on to this day. This kind of storytelling, that refuses to answer a question that would change the entire story, while also hiding the question under another story is truly amazing.
The core message of Blade Runner takes all of the different story elements and squishes them down into a single question. "What does it mean to be human?" The answer to that question is different for everybody, and that is just another layer of genius in this story. There is no true answer. No one can definitively say where human consciousness ends and the mind of a Replicant begins. Many believe that emotions are the key to being human, Decker's love interest (key word: LOVE), Rachel, is confirmed to be an experimental Replicant. This is the genius of this film. The key question of the film is intentionally complicated in order for the watcher to come to their own conclusions. The line between humans and Replicants is blurred and bordering on non-existant.
In conclusion, Blade Runner is a masterpiece. The color palette is dark yet stunning, the soundtrack is subtle yet engaging, the pace of the story is slow yet efficient, the story is unique yet amazing, and the message is valid yet frightening. If you haven't watched it, do it. If you have, why not watch it again?