A Manufactured Humanity

Rating: 7/10 (5 August 2004)

For Deckard (Harrison Ford), going after rogue robots is just part of an ordinary day. Robots have been created that simulate humans (replicants) and are used as slave labor. A new class of replicants, the Omega 6, has been created and replicate humans more than anyone can every imagine. When four of them hijack a ship and head for earth to try and extend their ephemeral lives, Deckard is commissioned to "retire" the rogues.
The last time I saw this film was probably twelve years ago or better, so it was pretty hazy. Having watched it just now, it was totally different from what I expected. Ridley Scott (director), rather than create the action flick I expected this to be, instead favored lengthy character development. He did this to show the similarities and marriage between man and the product of his godly labors, the robot. At times this makes the movie seem long and drawn out, but is otherwise necessary to the plot and point of the film. The evolution of the robot mentally to the state of man is excellently depicted in Rutger Hauer's character, Roy, and in Sean Young's character Rachael. They express sadness, anger, love, insanity, kindness, and the innate human quality of self-preservation.
I was confused however in the odd relationship between Deckard and Rachael. It was almost as if he were dictating or instructing, like that of a programmer, a piece of equipment to respond to his amorous advances. This didn't feel quite right in the film even though I am aware Rachael's conscious mind was new to feelings of love or affection.
Also Rutger Hauer's Roy was just a little too outlandish despite being motivated by his desperate attempts at survival. (SPOILER)He is brutally violent and repulsive in killing two humans and then ironically shows Deckard mercy and kindness. I guess this just epitomizes being irrational with no logical thought progression.
All in all, this was a good sci-fi movie from another one of Philip K. Dick's novels. If you want to see a "today's version" of this film you should watch "Screamers", also written by Philip K. Dick. It details the evolution of the battle of man versus machine, but like this movie, has a surprising twist at the end. 7/10