"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe"

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2016)

Directed by genius film maker, Ridley Scott (Alien, The Martian, Thelma and Louise), Blade Runner is such a unique and intriguing entry into the sci-fi movie genre. While watching the movie, I was instantly blown away by how realistic this dystopian future was. It seemed straight out of 1984.
The story is based in L.A. during the year 2019. The film follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who's job is to track down and kill "replicants" (a replicant is a human clone that was used for slavery years before. By the time Blade Runner begins, replicants a considered illegal and now must be destroyed). While the premise has been done before, what makes it stand out above the rest is the theme of man vs. machine. Ironic that it's the machine at the end that gives the monologue about life, rather than the human characters. It's also ironic that aside from Harrison Ford, all the replicants are alive and cherish life and are more fleshed out in character development than the human characters.
Another aspect of the film that is exhilarating is the unbelievable, visual beauty that exists in Blade Runner. From the cinematography to the production design, everything about it seems real and alive. The film is over 30 years old; yet I can't find one thing in the film that looks the least bit dated. There was absolutely no computers used in the effects, and yet, the "Blade Runner" world looks completely authentic. Luckily, it's finally starting to be recognized as one of THE seminal special-effect films. I love how incredibly meticulous the details are. From Japan's influence in our country's future culture, to the neon umbrellas, it still looks like we're heading in that direction. Every building looks like it exists, every vehicle that flies passed the camera shines rings of light into the lense. It's film making at it's finest.
Perfectly fitting with the visuals of the film, is the musical score done by Vangelis. The unbelievably beautiful use of synth music blended together with blues and jazz is something that truly makes Blade Runner what it is. The soundtrack for the film has got to be one of the more underrated film scores I've ever heard.
As far as performances go, everyone does a fantastic job. Daryl Hannah,Edward James Olmos, Sean Young, and William Sanderson all created great memorable characters, but with out a doubt, the two people that really need the most mentioning are Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer. Both Ford's and Hauer's performances are really unique and exciting. Deckard is one of the best protagonists and Batty is one of the best antagonists. The way Hauer delivered some of his dialogue is truly mesmerizing, while Ford's performance is more physical, but equally engaging. The closing monologue by Hauer at the end is really though provoking, and makes the audience question life.
Blade Runnner really is a director's film. This is Ridley Scott's movie, one can see him and his mind on every frame of film. Scott created things that no one else would have ever thought of, and that's why it's still remembered. It's still ahead of it's time, and it still makes people want to watch it over and over again. It's definitely a film worth multiple viewings. I wasn't a huge fan the first time a saw. The second time I watched I liked it just a bit more. The third time I watched it I liked a LOT more, and the fourth time I watched it I really fell in love with. Blade Runner is one of those films that, you not only like it more every time you watch it, but you like it more by a substantial amount.