Review of Blade Runner (1982) by Ben B — 26 Aug 2014

'Blade Runner' is an important neo-noir film that immerses audiences in 2019 Los Angeles, where blade runner operatives are charged to "retire" the all-too-human replicants. Who better to play the protagonist in this dark, somewhat-dystopian society than Harrison Ford.

Ford shows how he can carry any action role. He certainly has acting skill but there's a presence about him that's more important. This role shows Ford's understated confidence, which was only seen in glimpses in 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones.

' What is so great about 'Blade Runner' is that it immerses you in this futuristic world and the events within it are believable for what the plot is trying to say. Rick Deckard (Ford) is a retired blade runner tasked with killing four rogue replicants led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer).

Unlike his other action roles, retiring these replicants is not easy for Ford and it makes for some intense sequences. More important than the action however is the tone and look of the film. It's dark and neo-noir, which will leave you depressed.

It's dirty and rough around the edges, but it fairly represents a world where humans have lost control of commercialization and environmental health. Ridley Scott is so excellent at bringing imagery in as well, as evidenced by a dove flying to signal the release of life or a unicorn as a symbol of victory.

Rutger Hauer makes the most of his time as Roy Batty. He is chilling and other times he is maniacal, but lying underneath is a replicant who has seen many things and only desires to be able to live longer.

'Blade Runner' took me a while to see but it was well worth the wait.