Blade Runner

A classic of the sci-fi genre, Philip K. Dick, always attracted filmmakers with his sophisticated stories, and there are now several film adaptations of his work. Blade Runner is probably the most famous, although I'm not sure how satisfied he would be with Scott's version. After the worldwide success of Alien, Ridley Scott was chosen to direct the film, thanks to his refined visual style. It is precisely the visual aspect that is the main strength of the film, which has become a classic of its genre and is part of the golden age of sci-fi cinema. Until then, no director had succeeded in portraying the idea of a futuristic megacity full of dehumanized technology and giant advertisements on the walls of houses so perfectly. The film now exists in two versions - the original with a happy ending of the main character flying off with the android Rachel to the idyllic countryside, and then in Scott's own director's cut, which is more complete and darker. The strong cast was led by Harrison Ford, and for his partner, Sean Young, it was a role she could never surpass. Daryl Hannah showcased a wonderful acrobatic performance as an android. Scott's Blade Runner is not strong in terms of plot but rather in visual stylization and atmosphere. Because of this, it is a good idea to watch it on a big screen. Overall impression: 90%. (18/01/2008)

A sci-fi cult-classic for true connoisseurs. I remember years ago when I was at the premiere of the Director's Cut, there were three of us sitting in the cinema. Enjoying the visual beauty of Blade Runner on the big screen back then was a completely different experience than a cropped image on TV. It's not easy viewing, it's not popcorn entertainment. The whole film follows an ambient mood that has to be felt. And if you see Blade Runner with perfect sound, you can really enjoy Vangelis' masterful soundtrack and catch the various sonic flourishes in some scenes, like all sorts of whispering or ambient sounds that add to the mood of the film. Ridley Scott created a fascinating, dark, futuristic world, and even if he hadn’t made anything else after that, he would still have been an immortal director. (26/05/2002)

I think I already know why I didn’t think the Blade Runner was my cup of tea when I first saw it. It is a visual orgy without a hint of emotions. Harrison Ford, who usually plays a hundred percent lovable characters, is in this movie almost invisible. In his case, it is a completely different role, which the audience may not like, but it fits perfectly into the visually precisely sketched future, which really enchanted me. (09/10/2017)

It is unbelievable how, by removing needless monologs, making an amendment here and there and by making a little change to the final few seconds can turn a fairly solid sci-fi movie into one of the most atmospheric, hypnotic gems of world cinema. And this is clearly the most influential movie ever, because it influenced all sci-fi that followed it, no exaggeration. An ingenious, dismal noir vision of the future that provokes questions to this day. I don’t necessarily mean questions like whether or not Deckard is a replicant; which seems to differ from version to version, and this ambivalence is due to the fact that Hampton and Ford always acted as if he is, while Ridley acted like he wasn’t, just to be difficult. But more, this movie poses those “eternal" questions such as where is the border between life and humanity and, primarily, whether it matters at all who is or isn’t a replicant. This puts Blade Runner side by side with The Last Temptation of Christ, rather than any movies of the sci-fi genre. This isn’t a movie for everybody (that’s right, it’s s-l-o-w and taciturn, for instance, at the end Deckard doesn’t say a word for a whole twenty minutes despite being on screen constantly), but those who find their way to it will certainly never wash out this gem from their memory like tears in the rain... Original movie theater version: 3/5, Director’s Cut 1992: 5/5, Final Cut 2007: 5/5 (17/01/2008)

Even after all these years, still a mystery. Sci-fi with a noir touch, which revels in technical and visual gloominess and unfortunately, also in visual weirdness. Scott is afraid to take even a small step and show us more of the future world, instead he just lets it rain on Deckard and tells a relatively ordinary story. Replicants lack psychology, and in the end, I still don't know why I should feel sorry for their fate and destiny. And I would also like to see Blade Runner's average rating if it wasn't directed by Ridley Scott himself. Maybe my opinion would be lower because thanks to its pleasant visuals and especially the excellent cynical performance by Ford, on a background of an amazing soundtrack, it wasn't such a disappointment as I initially frowned upon. Loads of raindrops, saxophone melodies, and Vangelis' fairytale-like music stay in the viewer's mind for a long time. (07/04/2007)