A beautiful and marvelous film - quite possibly the best science fiction film ever made

Rating: Null/10 (19 May 2003)

This text is referring to the director's cut of Blade Runner. What is science- fiction? Is it a future world controlled by machines that involves virtual reality? e.g. The Matrix Or is it something happier, but a world rid of crime? e.g. Minority Report Could it be a world that is dark and is dominated by large skyscrapers and the streets filled with all sorts of character? Enter Blade Runner. Ridley Scott was a new comer at the time of making Blade Runner, and was also quite interested in science- fiction/ fantasy. He completed Alien a few years earlier and three years later he'd make Legend. But the real mastermind behind Blade Runner is of course Phillip K. Dick, who wrote the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Having read the novel, it would only seem fair for me to judge on both levels of an adaptation and a film alone. Harrison Ford plays Rick Deckard, a futuristic cop also known as a Blade Runner who's duty consists of hunting down robots who appear to be humans, known as Replicants. After a fellow officer is wounded and ends up in critical condition, it is Deckard's job to hunt down six deadly Replicants who killed the crew of their ship and are now lose in L.A. The year is 2017, and the world mainly consists of Asian overtones, with floating vehicles and colorful ground leveled areas. As Deckard, Ford does a noteworthy job by portraying the overall sad and tired quality of Deckard, his performance is certainly not exceptional by any means but it fits the story. On top of it all, this is the Rick Deckard from the novel. Rutger Hauer plays Roy Batty, the mysterious and dangerous leader of the Replicants, who's performance is one of dark strength yet at the same time a sort of provactive mystery. He says his lines with a curious yet commanding voice, and he is definitely the top performer in the cast. Sean Young plays Rachel, a mysterious worker of Tyrell who later becomes somewhat involved with Deckard. Also in support is Darly Hannah as the seductive but harmful Replicant Pris, and James Edward Almos as Gaff, a mysterious man who knows more about Deckard then the viewer seems to. The cast isn't exactly exceptional by all means, they don't turn in Oscar refined performances by any means but it fits the bill. Written by David Web Peoples and Hampton Fancher, the script loosley ties in with the novel but still captures the important essence of it. It's a solid script, could use a bit more attention to detail but there are some definitely remarkable lines. Ridley Scott directs with a real persistence for story and characters, and he is also the man responsible for delivering all the goods. His direction is fully realized and fully capable, painting such an illusive and enchanting vision of a nightmarish future. As an adaptation of a novel, it's not the best one ever, but is still somewhat succesful but it stands out more as film. Science fiction features like Blade Runner come in few numbers, and such beautiful and tight special effects that perfectly balance out with the story are hard to find. This is a film that should always be treasured, a gem that will stand the test of time. Grade: A +