Falls short of Philip K. Dick's brilliant novel

Rating: 8/10 (22 January 2006)

"Blade Runner" is an enjoyable and 'solid' sci-fi film. However having read Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", upon which the film is based, I was left somewhat disappointed/wanting more. (Inevitable I guess, given the calibre of Dick's writing.)
I accept that film adaptations of original written works typically sacrifice some plot threads and/or character details in order to produce a coherent film of an appropriate length. However "Blade Runner" really would have benefited from a better 'sketch' of the futuristic world in which the characters live (I mean in terms of plot rather than visual detail), and a tad more time spent establishing the background and motivations of Rick Deckard (the bounty hunter) and the androids he pursues.
That said, the film is visually impressive and boasts good performances from Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young.