All-time great atmospheric sci-fi

Rating: Null/10 (11 March 2002)

"Blade Runner" is rightly regarded as one of the greats of the sci-fi genre. It's about a blade runner - someone whose job it is to hunt down rogue replicant (synthetic worker androids), who have circumvented their programming and - due to their enhanced abilities and intelligence - pose a threat when on the loose.
What's most striking about the movie is it's setting. Set in 2019, the movie adopts its own unique "retro-future" type look that has been horribly imitated by countless video games and movies since. There's a constant gloominess, dankness, and wetness to the movie, all superbly captured by Jordan Cronenweth. All the buildings, cars, et cetera have a run-down grimy feel to them. The place is so atmospheric, and well done that the setting feels *real*, which adds immensely to the flavour of the movie. The plot is, at it's core, a good guy-chasing-bad-guy but it's done a little better than that. It's nice to see a plot that can move at times without spelling everything out to the audience (as happens nowdays), and be engaging. Some may complain about the pacing, but the slowness of it is in keeping with the drab nature of the future they live in, and the beauty of it prevents you getting bored. The plot builds to a somewhat fizzled out climax, but even the climatic fight can be reconciled with the themes of the movie. The Director's Cut, which I saw, also leaves a question about Deckard, the lead, on your lips that's thought provoking.
The themes of the movie - what it is to be human - are generally well explored. It's interesting that no-one bats an eyelid about gunning down a replicant, who - despite a developed mind - doesn't warrant a right to life. Deckard, in pursuing these people, learns to re-examine his pre-conceptions about replicants and their nature, and where emotions and dreams stem from. The clues left about Deckard, and his own life, further help explore this concept. The acting performances are generally low-key, almost dead-pan, but again it suits the mood of the picture though doesn't necessarily deserve any Oscar nominations.
"Blade Runner" is a high quality, thought provoking sci-fi movie. It's got a soul because it has something to say. It looks amazing, and still remains undated (an achievement in itself - Ridley Scott did something similar with the grungey future espoused in "Alien"). It's got a plot and intelligence (the viewers are left with something to question). It's among the very very best of it's genre and it's highly recommended. 9.3/10.