It's disturbing, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring, futuristic nonsense at its best

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2001)

If anything is certain and inevitable in the future (if it isn't colonisation of other planets, or even the employment of human clones for off-world slave labour), it will probably be the continual growth of the human population on this earth.
It is a fact of nature - humans are the supreme species. We are the highest in the food chain, highest in intellect, and highest in our own selfishness. Yes, we humans are all a bunch of arrogant viruses, endlessly striving to satisfy our ever growing needs and a better quality of life, by consuming the available resources around us in vast amounts.
Greenpeace, animal rights, zoos - they might provide short term solutions to allow nature in general, and other species of animal a place on this earth - but it isn't going to last. The human population will continue to grow - as long as there are very few predators to hunt us, and ever advancing medical science keeps us living for longer. Eventually there will be so many people on this planet that there will not be enough space for any other species.
At present - even though it may seem that humans make a up an unhealthy large number for one kind of species - insects are still the most numerous species on this planet. But in the world of Blade Runner (a pseudo, media inspired, prophecy of the future) it seems that humans have once and for all surpassed even insects in their numbers. According to the movie, it appears that not a square inch of the planet has been left untouched by the human tendency to use up all of its available resources, and occupy it with fume belching industry; or erect very large, menacing buildings, intrusive transport infrastructure, and seedy night spots, in the place of virgin forest and vast plain.
But its not all doom and gloom. We are intelligent, if very selfish, creatures - and we do possess certain problem solving skills. We humans - being the bright chaps we are (and at the same time ONLY thinking about ourselves) - have recognised that we are rapidly running out of space on our planet, and so have logically found a solution to this growing problem. The solution is to look forward from the confines of the Earth, and out into space and the prospect of colonising other planets.
This is the world of Blade Runner - a world that reminds us so much of our own world, and where its heading, that it's frightening, disturbing, and absolutely awe inspiring at the same time. The film takes this scenario, locates the action in a sprawling North American Metropolis (that oozes menace, darkness, decay, and a strange organic beauty); throws in a plot about some off-world genetic clones rebelling and returning to Earth; incorporates a tension ridden, exciting and unsettling script (and some rather talented players, come to think of it); and mixes it around with a subtle but emotive musical score, and some striking imagery; in a shiny, and slightly rusty, pudding bowl.
It's disturbing, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring, futuristic nonsense at its best. Don't just view it passively (and become bored in the process) - slurp it up, swirl it around, taste it, then swallow it. The final act is guaranteed to leave a satisfying after taste.