Blade Runner is an iconic film noir, set in the future, where the protagonist tracks down & destroys dangerous replicants. But then there’s a problem. Decker, the protagonist, begins to fall in love with a replicant. She’s not a danger — yet. And initially she doesn’t even realize that she’s a replicant, with artificial memories. Then, there’s something more.
Blade Runner (1982) starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer
Review
Blade Runner is an excellent, science fiction film noir. The basic story has to do with some escaped androids — here called replicants. They’re artificial human beings, genetically modified, and grown artificially. They’re used for the basest of jobs, ranging from military cannon fodder to prostitutes. The audience really can’t blame them for wanting to escape. In addition, they have a limited life span — only 7 years. They escape from their post in outer space to return to Earth. They want to find their creator, and expand their lifespan, since they’re all nearly at the end of their lives.
The problem is, they’re mentally unstable — and homicidal. So police detective Rick Deckard, played well by Harrison Ford, is set to stop them. Permanently. He hates his job, but isn’t allowed to quit. In the course of the hunt, he runs into a beautiful young woman named Rachel. She’s unaware that she’s a replicant. She’s been given the memories of a happy childhood, and thinks she’s a normal human being. And Decker’s falling in love with her …. But he may have to kill her, as well, since replicants tend to go mad at the end of their lifecycle.
Then, there’s the unspoken question: who’s Decker? Where did he come from? The story’s very well done all around, and it’s only hinted at that Decker, himself, might be a replicant. Or not. It’s literally up to the audience to decide.
It’s an excellent movie, with a great blend of drama, action, romance, and something to think about. I enjoy it, and hope you do as well.
Product Description
Blade Runner: The Final Cut (DVD)
The Number 1 Sci-Fi Film of all time! Visually spectacular, intenselyaction-packed and powerfully prophetic since its debut, Blade Runner returns in Ridley Scott’s definitive Final Cut, including extended scenes and never-before-seen special effects. In a signature role as21st-century detective Rick Deckard, Harrison Ford brings his masculine-yet-vulnerable presence to this stylish noir thriller. In a future of high-tech possibility soured by urban and social decay, Deckard hunts for fugitive, murderous replicants – and is drawn to a mystery woman whose secrets may undermine his soul. This incredible version features the definitive Final Cut of Ridley Scott’s legendarySci-Fi classic.
Cast of characters
- Harrison Ford (Star Wars IV A New Hope, Raiders of the Lost Ark) … Deckard. The protagonist, a hard boiled detective, who’s managed to keep his soft side.
- Rutger Hauer (Ladyhawke) … Batty. The very dangerous leader of the Replicants. He’s stronger, faster, and more resilient than a human. But he’s also very intelligent, and clearly in love with Pris.
- Sean Young (Dune) … Rachael. The lovely young lady whom Deckard falls in love with. She works as assistant to Tyrell. But she’s unaware that she’s an experiment – a Replicant, with human memories.
- Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver, Wolfen) … Gaff
- M. Emmet Walsh (The Jerk) … Bryant
- Daryl Hannah (Splash, The Fury) … Pris. The lovely young replicant. A former prostitute, who clearly knows how to use her attractiveness to get what she wants, She works her feminine wiles on Sebastian quite successfully.
- William Sanderson (Newhart) … Sebastian. Worker for the company that created the replicants. A sad, lonely, but brilliant man. He sympathizes with the replicants, since he’s suffering from an affliction that’s aging him at an accelerated rate.
- Brion James (The Fifth Element) … Leon
- Joe Turkel (The Shining, Village of the Giants) … Tyrell. The head of the company that creates replicants, He has a very interesting discussion with Batty.
- Joanna Cassidy (The Late Show, Who Framed Roger Rabbit) … Zhora
- James Hong (Kung Fu Panda, Diablo 3) … Chew. One of the researchers that the replicants intimidate into telling them where to find Sebastian. Who, in turn, can lead them to Tyrell.
- Morgan Paull (Patton) … Holden
- Kevin Thompson (Return of the Jedi) … Bear
- John Edward Allen … Kaiser
- Hy Pyke … Taffey Lewis
- Kimiko Hiroshige … Cambodian Lady
- Bob Okazaki … Sushi Master
- Carolyn DeMirjian … Saleslady
