Authentic. Compelling. Visceral.

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2017)

Vangelis once said "Music has to be in the moment, not overthought, never to be repeated" He also said " To try to make a hit is failure; To make something honest is a success".
Both of these quotes fit Blade Runner perfectly. The making of Blade Runner was chaotic.The nature of the film changed several times before it even got made. Film staff and some cast dropped out. It nearly became a film noir with Dustin Hoffman as the lead. The two stars hated each other, and it was a box office flop when it first came out.
The problem with films these days is that they are made by a board room of number cruncher's. A films success is based on box office takings, rather than anything of substance and virtuous accountability.
Blade Runner has since made a profit. If it hadn't does that mean its a failure. NO.
I can't help but think that part of the reason it was an initial flop was due to the interference of executives in the original release. The Directors cut and Final cut were what the film should of been 35 years ago.
Phillip K Dick was a visionary. His books are not the easiest to turn into a film. I enjoyed Adjustment Bureau, yet just like Blade Runner originally, I hated the happy Hollywood ending. Im hoping for a darker directors cut where David and Elise future isn't to assured.
I may be slightly biased as Blade Runner is one of my favourite films, but for the Directors Cut and the Final Cut everything just works perfectly together, like a Jigsaw.
The tension between Harrison Ford and Sean Young is real, they hated each other. Vangelis was in his prime. The cinematography is stunning. Ridley Scott is one of the most influential directors going. I like that for the Final Cut, it was treated subtly. They didn't over do the CGI, Gloss and mastering.
The scene where Deckard 'Retires' Zhora leaves you battling your conscience. A woman was basically murdered in cold blood. Shot in the back as she was running away. All in slow motion with the beautiful "Blade Runner Blues" summing the scene up, shining a light on the cold nature of the killing.
When I saw the Directors cut, I was pleased that Ridley Scott was finally allowed to say a big Fu!! you to Hollywood. The daring nature that Deckard and Rachels fate is sealed. Living on borrowed time. As well as the ongoing questions. Is Deckard a Replicant ? Did Gaff let Rachel Live ? How long will they survive in the outside world ? Hollywood loves a happy ending. Ridely wasn't having that. As a director he is unapologetic. He hates the politics of Hollywood. He could finally discard the crap footage borrowed from the Shinning, in which we were expected to buy into the notion Rachel was different and built to survive, and they can live happily ever after.
The unicorn scene in the directors cut, flips the film over and is the nail in the coffin to lets all dance into the sunset.
The final sequence, when the elevator doors close on a forlorn Deckard and Rachel, and the thunderous baseline kicks in then all makes sense. What doesn't make sense is getting up the moment the film finishes and not staying to listen to Vangelis at his best.
On a picky critical note: Some might say Deckard is supposed to be detective, but hardly does any investigating. Blade Runner isn't a detective murder mystery film. This is a film about humanity, empathy, equality, compassion, ethics. All challenges we face today.
Is one life worth more than another ?