Would you like to be upgraded? (Blade Runner (Remastered Directors Cut) (DVD))

Member Name: spudzy123

Product:	Blade Runner (Remastered Directors Cut) (DVD)
Date:	01/09/09 (390 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Still as good today as it was in the 1980's

Disadvantages: May need to be watched a couple of times to fully appreciate.

Film Only review

Have you ever wondered whether technology and genetic engineering could ever become so far advanced that it could be used to make 'humanoids' and so advanced that we couldn't tell the difference between android and human? Now what if these 'humanoid' beings were given superior strength and adapted to making their own decisions, which were geared towards becoming a threat to our very own human existence?

Well if you are the sort of person who likes to think along these lines, or you're fascinated with anything to do with sci-fi, then I'm sure that you have already seen this film and have found it to be a great starting point for even more futuristic pondering. Mmm, I wonder 'do androids dream of electric sheep?'

Before I go into my thoughts on this film, here is a quick outlay.

Blade runner hit the screen in 1982 and is set in the Futuristic vision of Los Angeles in the year 2019. Leading up to this time, Genetic scientists have produced 'more human than human' androids called 'replicants' which are perfect in almost every way. The Tyrell Corporation takes things to a completely new level producing a series of super human androids called the 'Nexus 6', which are so far advanced that they are programmed with a life span of just 4 years to prevent them from becoming too advanced; these are only used on off world colonies for jobs far too difficult for human hands.

The inevitable happens and a group of replicants reap havoc amongst humans on an off world colony, resulting in them being made illegal on earth. More worryingly a small group of Nexus 6 replicants manage to escape and dissolve into the community back on earth. The Nexus 6 consist of Leon Kowalski (Brion James), Zhora (Joanna Cassidy), Pris (Daryl Hannah) and the leader Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer). The team set in search to meet their maker at the Tyrell Corporation with a view to obtaining the one single thing that they don't have - more life.

The name 'Blade runner' is given to those who form part a dedicated team of police who are tasked with killing the replicants on earth; this is known as retirement'. Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is re employed as a Blade runner because his much-needed skills are required to track down and 'retire' the outstanding Nexus 6 who have already started to make their mark upon the people of Los Angeles.

It's not without good reason that this film still remains as one of the benchmarks of all sci-fi's, because way back in the 70's and 80's when every sci-fi was based in the year 2020, films seemed to lack a certain level of authenticity with tacky sets, awful costume design and really bad acting which made the whole package fall flat on its face. The same cannot be said for Blade runner because it oozes style and quality right from the very start, so much so that the sheer cinematic visual appeal makes great viewing even without the sound on. It's very difficult to try and pick holes in this film, even by today's standards it fails to feel dated with the extraordinary sets.

The first time that I watched this film I was gob smacked by the sheer scale of it all and just sat there soaking it all in. My eyes never once left the screen even with the camera just panning around showing off the amazing visuals and sound effects; there's no doubt about it, they knew this was going to be a stunning film and they were right too.

The actors, make up, and costume design couldn't have been better either. They seemed to have got the whole chemistry of it all just right and they fitted into the whole package with perfection, so much so that when the film ended I knew that I had seen something very special that would leave me wanting to own it and watch it time and time again.

It's probably best to watch it at least 3 times because the first time will leave you so absorbed by the experience that you may lose sight of the actual story line. The second time will allow you to appreciate the full adventure. The third time just for the hell of it because you're hooked and have been left looking for a few more clues about Deckard's past.

If this film was to be made today, I'm sure that it would be tweaked with expensive computer generated images and more special effects than you can shake a stick at; but I really do think that some films can become too dependant on this and the simplicity of what makes a great film can be lost along the way.

It will be interesting to see in the year 2019 as to how authentic Blade runner actually was. It's not too difficult to see that in 10 years time that we have humanoids doing the jobs which we hate, or maybe masses of LCD and neon advertising signs cladding the facets of high rise skyscrapers; maybe not so much off world colonies or the death of the shell suit, but we can still live in hope can't we?

Summary: Cult classic sci-fi film to see before you die