"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe"

Rating: 10/10 (10 November 2019)

Writing about Blade Runner is no simple task, for it is one of the most important, groundbreaking, movies in the science fiction genre. Don't be fooled though, beyond the mesmerizing visuals and soundtrack there's much more than just a futuristic detective movie. Blade Runner touches philosophical and ethical topics concerning humanity.
Set in a dystopic Los Angeles, in the year 2019, we follow the steps of Rick Deckard in his task to retire replicants. The latter are genetically modified human beings, made solely to serve humanity in their own purposes. However, they can not only feel emotions but they also have a human will. The hunt begins right after the protagonist is forced to dispose of four rebellious replicants. With the best use of futuristic visuals and noir atmosphere, Ridley Scott forged a masterpiece that is highly detailed.
Through the investigation Deckard interacts with Rachel, a replicant that initially is reluctant to believe she's not a real human. During his interaction with Rachel, the detective unfolds a scheme that goes beyond science; Since replicants have a limited time of life, solely to keep them under control, the Tyrell Corporation was experimenting to give them false memories as a background to their emotional responses. Upon discovering that, Deckard is clearly phased, mostly because his infatuation towards Rachel - He carries on the task nevertheless.
Ethical conflicts are clearly discussed throught the movies. Humans creating slaves for off earth tasks, humans creating other humans but depriving them of their rights - the line is blurred, who is real human and who is not? More than that, what does it mean to be human?
The stray replicants on the other hand are fighting for their survival, trying to desperately find a way to live. Roy Batty, the leader of the band, pursues his goal of extending their life time.
In this dystopian future, in which many cultures are put together in a array of neon visuals and different languages, the only fight going on is for the right to live. The lack of a villain and a hero accentuates the ambiguity of our human nature; our ethic is falty, but still we carry on. The resolve of the movie however comes in a thrilling scene of the final encounter between Deckard and Roy. The argument for this movie is just marvelous; the emotional monologue of Roy Batty in the end, enhanced by the rainy scenery and smooth soundtrack by Vangelis, is one of the most beautiful moments and also most important for the plot - It is the moment when Rick Deckard realizes that being human is much more than the common sense, replicants are creatures such as we. His resolve is to run away with Rachel since he's unable to dispose of her due to the feelings developed between them.
This movie is essentially made for sensitive people, there's a lot to think. What makes a person? Who can decide?
It discusses our human nature and our inherent arrogance while also developing characters in all their entirety. We're in 2019, the time we're living might not be aesthetically similar to the one in Blade Runner, but even so this movie remains relevant - that is because of the topics it brings. With our ever changing ethical conventions, that exist mostly to serve our purposes of conquest. There just isn't a short way to talk about this movie, it is as complex as our very existence, our laws and our society. For the watcher with a good head for philosophy and social discussions, this movie will clearly be a masterpiece.
RIP Rutger Hauer - thank you for your genius acting and one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen in my life, your legacy won't be like tears in the rain.

P.S: I'm well aware there are many versions of the movie out there, I'm writing based on the version I watched which is The Final Cut (2007).