Review of Blade Runner (1982) by Harry W — 16 Apr 2013

Blade Runner is clearly a science fiction classic that was mis-advertised as an action adventure and therefore suffered at the time of it's release, as well as when I first watched it.

But if you understand what the existence of Noir is or if you've read Phillip K. Dick's source novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", then you can admire Ridley Scott for the way he expressed similar themes with skilled direction and breakthrough visual effects.

Although many ideas and key themes have been switched around in the adaptation process, and the symbolism becomes more confusing as well as the fact that any slight references to electric sheep or any android animals is omitted from the plot and the fact that much of it takes a back seat to visual effects, Blade Runner is still a success.

Primarily, this is due to the fact that Blade Runner has it's audience bear witness to an excellent breakthrough in technical achievements with stunning visual effects and the invention of a new genre: Science-Fiction Neo-Noir.

In a stylistic fashion, Ridley Scott redefines exactly what Neo-Noir is and creates a sense that he took every word of the definition serious enough so that he would update it beyond anything that film makers of 1982 could comprehend, and with that he creates an excellent adaptation of the Phillip K. Dick story which spawned a legacy.

The legacy rubs off on the talented cast members of Blade Runner as well because they work hard enough to ensure that the story carries itself along well.

Harrison Ford makes an excellent lead, recreating a Han Solo type characterisation into an alternative sense so that his performance of Rick Deckard provides nostalgia and strength to the character, enhancing him as a troubled and scruffy yet determined Blade Runner. One of Harrison Ford's finest performances is in Blade Runner.

The finest performance of the screen in Blade Runner is the masterfully crafted villainous yet sympathetic characterisation of Roy Batty created by skilled actor Rutger Hauer. The look in Rutger Hauer's eyes is enough to determine that he's the perfect cast mate, but of course his performance transcends that, and his iconic ad-lobbed soliloquy is one never to forget . His performance was absolutely excellent.

Also, Sean Young is perfect as Rachel Bison, and is the absolute image of the character created in my head when I read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and her performance just got better as Blade Runner went on. As we witness her exposed to more situations, we learn as much as her do the entire experience is a largely interesting one.

Daryl Hannah was also very good.

So it's not hard to see why Blade Runner is such a classic. It was the first time, but you really don't understand life until you've seen it. But then again, who does?