A SciFi classic - more for the aesthetic than the plot...

Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2017)

We watched the "Final Cut". I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. It was also great to watch a film which, unlike modern films (I hear Bladerunner 2049 is 2.5 hours long), didn't feel the need to turn into a bum numbing epic!
The special effects were excellent despite this film being from 1982. As with others of the genre (Alien, Aliens), I think animation special effects were just hitting the top of the curve prior to digital effects taking over. Interestingly the quality of the special effects mean that this film does not look dated, just like Alien and Aliens.
All the scifi tropes were here (hover cars, evil tech overlord, sky scrapers with giant advertising, awesome synth soundtrack, odd futuristic clothing, the nerdy tech guy...) but the difference is that this film almost invented them inspiring many later films. The cars look quite outdated compared to cars nowadays, which made me laugh, especially as the film is set in 2019 and we're nowhere near that technology.
The soundtrack is almost hypnotic, especially when Deckard is walking the streets, for example the "cross, don't cross" sign. Ford plays his role fantastically - he is best as the embittered rebel with a sense of humour. Rutger Hauer munches the scenery as always but maybe when you're playing a psychotic replicant who has stolen a ship to find your maker and extend your life then it's allowed.
I felt genuinely sad for Rachel as she works through realising she is a replicant, her memories are implanted and her lifetime is limited. Although, the seduction scene made me slightly uncomfortable as it feels a little bit too on the non-consensual side. I had to look away when Roy crushes Tyrell's skull and presses in his eyes - that crunch is nasty.
It's also interesting to read that Ford and Scott could never agree whether Deckard is a replicant. His dream sequence with the unicorn and his fellow blade runner making a unicorn out of paper seems to imply that his dreams may be implanted. Also, I had not before noticed the significance of him not answering Rachel's question about him having taken the test. Though it seems if Blade Runner 2049 is set 30 years after the original then Deckard must be human or he would have expired....
This film does not have an overly complex plot but is a masterpiece nonetheless. I first watched it 20 years ago and it was every minute as good as I remembered.