Blade Runner
“Quite an experience to live in fear, isn’t it? That’s what it is to be a slave.”
"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die".
It’s hard for me to review this in so few words. It is by far my favourite film of all time. Everything is perfect for me. I love retro-futuristic design and Harrison Ford so what more do I need.
As someone who read the book because I loved the film so much, I prefer this. The book is excellent and definitely worth a read but it’s incredibly miserable. It documents in detail how the world ended and why it is the way it is. Both do similar things and have the same characters but they’re not the same. The book is a lot more hard-core and sci-fi than the film. The film leaves everything to our imagination and that’s the way I like it.
This film has a basic plot. It plays out like a noir detective thriller set in the then-future of 2019. Deckard, a retired Blade Runner is called in to find and “retire” 5 replicants. He does so whilst falling in love with one. Harrison Ford is great for this. Probably my favourite film role of his. Depending on which version you watch his bored monologue line delivery really gives that noir feel (I know he didn’t want to do the narration).
The vibes are unreal. The miniature work is excellent and really creates this contorted metal city. The paintings also are great for the art direction and make everything look miserable. Perfect.
I couldn’t get away with talking about vibes without talking about the score. Vangelis’ score is absolutely amazing. I have never watched a film where the score has fit the movie as well as this one. It is perfect.
As much as I like the Zimmer score for 2049 it doesn’t come close to this.
The man, the myth, the legend, Rutger Hauer. His monologue at the end of the film is possibly the greatest scene in any film ever. It is certainly the best monologue in any film. It documents how memories and experiences shape who we are but are only temporary and will be forgotten. He wants more time and more memories but in his final moments he accepts that memories will be lost in time like tears in rain.
This is Ridley Scott’s best film (fight me) and Harrison Ford’s best film (fight me again). As long as I live and breathe, I will cherish this film and everything it has to offer in its weird, morbid way.