Standing the test of time 35 years later

Rating: 10/10 (18 July 2017)

2017 marks the 35th anniversary of the original release of "Blade Runner", and also the year that its long-rumored sequel, "Blade Runner 2049" will be released (later in the Fall). In anticipation of that, I decided that I needed to see the original, which I hadn't seen in several decades (if not longer). Of course, when we talk about the original movie, what we really mean is the definitive "Director's Cut" that was released 10 years ago (to commemorate the 25th anniversary).
"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" (117 min.) opens with the reminder that it is "Los Angeles 2019" (yes, only 2 years from now!), and we get the stunning introduction to what the City of Angels has become. It's not long before we are introduced to the Harrison Ford character, a guy who is running down " human-like replicants". Couple of thought on seeing this movie again after all this time: 1. "Blade Runner" is NOT an action movie (although there is some of that), but rather a neo-noir psychological drama and character study. It's no wonder that US audiences didn't warm up to the original release all that much, expecting a sci-fi action movie. yes, it's sci-fi, but there the comparison stops. 2. The movie's visuals and photography are stunning still, even after 35 years. 3. It is absolutely remarkable how much cigarette smoking takes place, throughout the entire movie no less. This is surely one thing that Ridley Scott got totally wrong. But on the other hand, his premonition of climate change (even though that term didn't exist yet in 1982) was in the right direction (and supposedly will be even more central in the 2049 sequel). 4. Scott's version of LA 2019 has it as a mostly Asian, Tokyo-reminding, city. 5. The soundtrack from Vangelis remains as majestic now as it was then. 6. Last but certainly not least, it's amazing to see the lead performers (Harrison Ford, Darryl Hannah, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer) so.... young!
Bottom line: "Blade Runner" circa 1982 was far ahead of its time. Now in 2017, it feels a lot more 'contemporary'. I have no idea what to expect from "Blade Runner 2049", but I can only hope it's not "just another sci-fi action movie".