A classic among the classics

The best science fiction movie ever made,blade runner as a lot to offer.Future Los Angeles is the most charismatic,mysterious,melancholic and beautiful city ever seen on film and can give you the impression that you lived there in another life.the story,the characters,the visuals and the amazing score from vangelis (how could that score not win an oscar)will stay with you and you can be certain they will not disappear like tears in the rain.

Not a "Casablanca Classic," but good for an occasional viewing

A classic? That seems both premature and a bit of a stretch. Perhaps the film reviewers in Los Angeles are so used to their dry climate that the mere thought of a LA where the rain is constantly falling is science fiction to the max. With that said, the issues that keep this movie from moving into the classic category are many. How does a genetically engineered replicant decide to go from the Outer Colonies to be a snake dancer in a sleazy strip club? Programming? The others sure seem to have rejected their programming, especially the "First Law of Robotics." Note the hint of an abundant fossil fuel economy, lack of vision for cell phones, excessive drinking and smoking (really reminded me of Casablanca, but Casablanca wasn't mimicking the future), and two-tiered society ("If you are not police, you are one of the little people."

One the positive side, I can see there were a number of interesting and cutting edge directing issues of this story for the time (1982, I believe). No big focus on explosions, a lot of "human" tension, actors who weren't all "the beautiful people," gloomy sets, thrilling chases, and more.

This is a good movie to see once every decade.

All Those Moments Will Be Lost In Time, Like Tears In Rain.

Blade Runner is the dystopian film from much-admired science fiction director, Ridley Scott. The film premiered in 1982 to indecisive reviews. Several declared it was not the action packed adventure they anticipated and the heart of the story wasn't present, while others praised its complexity and stark visual style. The picture was a minor box office failure, raking in a meager twenty-six million dollars. Nevertheless, recent years have been generous to the film. Along with critics hailing it as a "modern classic", it has become something of a cult classic living on in the world of video rentals.

The picture itself can be viewed in at least two forms, the theatrical and director's cut. I've never had the privilege of seeing the theatrical version so I cannot comment on which is superior. However, I do know the theatrical form contains a narration track by Harrison Ford and a more upbeat conclusion. Many have asserted the commentary is uncalled for and the "happy ending" was only added due to studio's preference. The director's edition does not contain the voice-over or the studio's finale, this creating a much more open-ended picture.

Numerous viewers frown upon ambiguity in the cinema, but I truly welcome it. It is shocking that several films in the science fiction genre lack uncertainty seeing how the genre is ultimately fantasy. Blade Runner's haziness is positively one of its most notable traits.

Upon an initial viewing it may be difficult to see how compelling a film Blade Runner is, at least thematically. The film taps into religious symbolism (creator/pawn), the morals of genetic engineering (setting a four-year life span on replicants), as well as mass paranoia in the future.

Ridley Scott's direction is one of the film's most commended aspects. It is definitely a visual feast even if some of the special effects come of as a little dated. In nearly every scene it is raining or dark developing the noir-ish quality of the film. The recurring use of eyes makes the audience question what is reality and how we perceive it.

The film is filled with strong performances as well. Harrison Ford has tried to, somewhat, forget the film by not commenting on it yet his portrayal of Deckard could not have been done by another. Hauer, Young, Turkel, and Hannah are also nice additions to the picture. Accompanying the film's visuals is the incredible score. Performed by Vangelis, it contains haunting futuristic synthesizers.

Overall, Blade Runner has much to offer and is justly regarded as a classic in the genre.