In the words of Rutger Hauer: "You can only be a genius so many times in your life.".

Rating: 10/10 (29 June 2007)

It must be wryly amusing for anyone who was originally involved in the making of this film to read 21st century reviews of the film. After being mercilessly slaughtered by critics at the time of its original release a quarter of a century ago, Blade Runner is now hailed by critics - probably many of the same as the most influential and visionary sci-fi film ever made. It is one of few select films which have had a great afterlife, long after they were originally released to an indifferent public.
Undoubtedly, the VCR revolution of the early 80's was the saviour of Blade Runner. The incredibly detailed cityscapes, the wonderfully observed roles of the replicants with their various unique physical traits and mannerisms, and the searing vision of an over-populated, acid-rain drenched Los Angles, were scrutinised, studied and raved over by the midnight movie / art student crowd. Word of mouth grew over the years, generating a huge fan-boy subculture which exist to this day (indeed, try typing Blade Runner into your search engine and check out some of the stunningly designed fan sites dedicated to the film). Other film-makers started to steal many of the visual motifs and concepts of the film; which is probably one of the most referenced works of art ever produced. You can see Blade Runner steals in toys, computer games, virtually any Japanese Sci-Fi Manga / Anime (Akira and Silent Mobius are stand out examples), countless TV shows and of course other dystopian Sci-fi epics.
So why the great influence? Visually, the film is still stunning, a totally convincing vision of a near-future LA of incessant pollution, commercial-drenched neon avenues and oppressive, towering skyscrapers. Pretty awesome when you think that CGI was only just rearing its head in the likes of Tron (released the same summer). The population is a broad mix of religions, races and languages, which is the way most major city centres are like now. Ridley Scott has never since achieved the same visual splendour  save perhaps for Gladiator  as this film.
The story itself is a pretty standard hardboiled noir cop thriller, with Harrison Ford's weary, disillusioned cop (Blade runner) being forced to hunt down illegal artificial slaves (replicants) who have escaped from deep space colonies and are attempting to reach their creators (the Tyrell Corporation) in order to extend their 4-year lifespan.
I won't tell the reader any more  It is for the fresh viewer to check out the details, I'll only give them the broad brush strokes.
Let it just be said that Blade Runner is a powerful, evocative and truly astonishing picture that rewards the viewer every time you watch it. If you can't take something away from this picture, then you are not a cinema lover.