Blade Runner

Directors Cut Ridley Scott blew up off Alien... but for him to implement the same level of unease and intensity in a neo-noir dystopian sci fi and in a sort of way make thriller a sub genre for this film was truly beautiful and brilliant. Those few scenes put my mindset in a completely different atmosphere and truly had me second guessing what type of film this actually was. Is this his magnum opus? I’d like to think so. What sets this film in a different category from most films in the dystopian genre is the setting of this project, and I know that's kind of the whole point with these films but Ridley does it just so perfect? The futuristic, decaying, gritty, and claustrophobic Los Angeles mixed with the smooth jazz like scores, it truly feels like you're in that universe watching from your own point of view. Another thing brilliant about Ridley is he slowly but surely makes the film setting a metaphor, the consequences of unchecked technological advancement and environmental deterioration. The city is a chaotic mix of quite literally everything portraying traditonal values have been eroded, plus the constant rain reinforces the claustrophobic and oppression like atmosphere. A big theme I always love to talk about is self indentity and humanity, and my gosh did Ridley just overflow my cup.. which is lovely. Deckard's character serves as the central piece to the films exploration on those themes but the more interesting piece is Racheal. The implanted memories adds complexity, the shock and confusion from learning they're not her own it forces us to realize the importance of memory in defining who we are. Also suggesting that even false memories have a huge impact of one's sense of themselves. First Deckard comes off as cold and detached but once forming a relationship with Racheal he has to confront his own prejudices. While also gradually giving empathy and compassion as he interacts with other replicants. The audience slowly starts to the big what if, there’s a lot of small signs and much ambiguity if he's one himself. Back to ambiguity, i'm very glad I watched the final cut. I’ve heard the theatrical release offered a more hopeful resolution... just no, no thank you. Im grateful Ridley kept Deckard's and Racheal's fate uncertain, it reinforces the film's lack of easy answers. A beautiful monologue at the end as well with Roy Batty's character.