An Interesting Film.

Rating: 10/10 (28 October 2003)

Whether you think of it as a cult oddity or one of the best examples of the science fiction genre there is no denying that Blade Runner is an interesting experience. I happen to think the film is brilliant, a unique insight into the future and the repercussions of what happens when we has human beings meddle with technology in the future. The film is more understated than what I thought it was going to be. Starring Harrison Ford and directed by Ridley Scott I was expecting an action packed extravaganza, but instead what we get is an old fashion science fiction detective thriller, the familiar tale of the bounty hunter looking for the bad guys. Of course like all great science fiction, what is on the outside is different to what's on the inside. In reality Blade Runner is a twisted fable, a look at what it means to be a human being, and what it means to lose that humanity when technology starts to appreciate it for itself. This leads to some of the most fantastically acted scenes in a science fiction film. He may hate the film but there is no denying that this is Harrison's best performance, the Blade Runner of the title, a man who we are led to believe may have more in common with his prey than we realize. Further adding kudos to the film is Rutger Hauer, quite possibly the finest performance in science fiction history. Whether or not his character of Roy Batty is the actual of the hero of the film is for fans to argue about (I know I have my feelings on the subject), but I dare you not to be moved by his final words as he excepts his fare after saving Dekkard.
Ridley Scott shows us the versatile talent that he really is with this superb film. The direction is complimented by his unique visual style. This is one of the most visually stunning films ever made. The establishing shot is the awe-inspiring of its kind, while his portrayal of a futuristic dystopia is one of the most convincing, not to mention the most frightening, ever put to film.
Presented in two versions, the director's cut is the better of the two, the voice over deleted thus not spoon feeding the narrative to the audience. The more ambiguous ending is better too, thus the cop out option of Rachael and Dekkard living happily ever after can be erased (it always put me in the mood for Kubrick's The Shining). Thus the ending leaves us with more questions than answers. That is unsettling, but it is apt for an unsettling film.