Blade Runner (1982)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young
Synopsis:
A retired Blade Runner is brought back into service to hunt four Replicants who have snuck onto Earth.
Impressions:
This film pretty well set the standard for what people expect from scifi neo-noir and it gets referenced all over the place. It doesn't have much in common with the original story it's based on, but it's very much its own animal and is quite well-loved for it. However, for someone who has never seen it before and doesn't know what to expect, it's a slow burn with precious few likeable characters. I would argue that a lot of elements that some people might consider flaws, such as the lack of chemistry between Deckard and Rachael and the slow, deliberate pace are all in service of the plot and themes. The largely charmless Deckard who's less human than the "more human than human" Replicants he hunts is quite deliberate and plays into the excellent finale. If you don't appreciate what's being done with the character, you might be inclined to call this one of Harrison Ford's weaker performances, but I think he is serving in his intended role well. In contrast, Rutger Hauer's performance as Roy Batty is unambiguously excellent and perhaps the best in his career. I also quite like what Daryl Hannah is doing as Pris.
The city itself is almost more of a character than any of the characters, blending old-style and futuristic aesthetics with a lot of grime and decay. Pretty much any cyberpunk dystopia will be calling back to the 2019 LA of this film. The score by Vangelis is as big a part of setting up the particular feel of this film as the visuals. This is Ridley Scott at the peak of his artistry and is sure to leave an impression.
There are a number of different versions out there and it can be confusing as to which one to watch. I recommend against the theatrical version. While narration by the protagonist is a staple of many noir films, it was deliberately poorly scripted and poorly performed as a means of sabotage that ultimately failed. The ending is also contentious among many fans. Between not seeing the film at all and watching the theatrical cut, I'd say you might as well watch the theatrical cut, as the narration, while obtrusive, doesn't get in the way of the film's most powerful scenes. I haven't seen the workprint cut, so I can't comment on that, but the director's cut and the final cut are fine ways to go. (My first viewing was actually the director's cut and I only sat through the entire theatrical cut during this most recent viewing because it was the only thing available.)
As essential viewing as this is for any scifi fan and any fan of cinema in general, it isn't quite as near and dear to my heart as the films I rate as "Treasure It", but it definitely deserves a place in your collection, and if it connects with you strongly enough, you may well count it as one of your treasures.
Rating:Own It