Blade Runner

“It’s too bad she won’t live. But then again, who does?” Man I love this movie! When I think of a masterpiece, this is the type of film that comes to mind. Everything about it is so well crafted. What I find especially impressive about Blade Runner in particular is the atmosphere and world building. Everything from the set dressing to the costuming and the lighting work together to create this grimy, futuristic but yet almost real world. It’s such a visual feast. The score is so fitting for this movie. It feels both eerie and beautiful at the same time. Each of the most important emotional scenes are elevated so much by the weird and almost otherworldly score. On top of all that, the themes about life, artificial intelligence, and humanity I find to be incredibly compelling. Obviously the big question of the movie is, is Deckard a replicant? However, I would argue that if you’re asking that question, you’re missing the point. At the end of the day the film comes to the conclusion that it really doesn’t matter. Who are we to decide who gets to live or die? The tears in rain monologue makes this point really well. Roy has seen incredible things. Are they any less incredible because he is a replicant? Regardless, the memories will be gone when he is, the same as with humans. Now whether I agree with these themes in reality with regard to real AI or replicants is a different question, but as a metaphor for humanity I find them very compelling. Love Ridley Scott, love Harrison Ford (the coolest man to ever live), and love this movie.