A visual masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (13 April 2008)

I was rather young when I saw "Blade Runner" for the first time, no more than 10 or so, I think. It was among the first serious science fiction films I saw and it has stayed with me ever since, for I, for the lack of a better word, love it with its flaws. As if I'd give a totally unbiased review of the film, I wouldn't give it a full ten, as I've done now.
"Blade Runner" tells a tale of a man named Deckard (Harrison Ford), a detective of a Blade Runner Unit, which sole purpose is to retire replicants, human like androids, which may acquire emotions during their four year operation time, which in turn may get them to cause mayhem around them. That is the same reason replicants are outlawed in Eareth, but some of them may try to come here. That's where the BR unit comes in. So four of them are out there, trying get to their maker, Tyrell (Joe Turkel). And here's the cue for Deckard, in pursuit of those four, before they manage to do any bigger damage.
The first thing that jumps out is, that despite being over 20 years old, Blade Runner still has stunning visual effects, that show no sign of aging. We see views of Los Angeles, with sky scraping towers of concrete and steel, pushing out gas explosions. The humongous splendor and size of Tyrell corp, which we then can compare against crowded streets, lit with endless rows of neon signs. The city is as important character than anyone else in the movie. Upon that visual splendor is the soundtrack done by Vangelis. A soundtrack, that set the mood perfectly, along with the sound effects.
But even the greatest effects are nothing without a good cast, and that is something Blade Runner has. Rutger Hauer does a great job as Roy, the leader of the renegade replicants. He' accompanied by Daryl Hannah (Pris), Brion James (Leon) and Joanna Cassidy (Zhora). Out of the replicants Zhora is left for least of the attention. On the opposing side there's Gaff (Edward James Olmos), an eccentric detective and perhaps one of the most memorable characters in the story, thanks to Olmos's dedication to the job, and Bryant (M. Emmet Walsh), an old fashioned chief of the BR unit. And finally there's Rachel (Sean Young), Tyrells secretary, who doesn't fully know herself.
There are plot holes and such it BR, I don't deny that, but as I've said, I love the film with its flaws. The acting, atmosphere and directing is so strong, that I just don't mind those flaws at all, when I'm sucked into this philosophical tale of questions about humanity and what it is like to be a human.
I've said a lot, but really I have't said nothing important. I leave it for you to decide do you like it and which out of the 5 official versions you like the prefer, if you prefer any.