Blade Runner (1982) * Top Pick *

For a film globetrotter like me, It's nice to come home sometimes...
 

Genre: Drama Sci-Fi Thriller Noir  

Starring: Harrison Ford (Regarding Henry • American Graffiti), Rutger Hauer (Sin City • Batman Begins)

Directed By: Ridley Scott (Gladiator • Alien)

Overview: Early in the 21st Century, THE TYRELL CORPORATION advanced robot evolution into the NEXUS phase - a being virtually identical to a human - known as a Replicant. The NEXUS 6 Replicants were superior in strength and agility, and at least equal in intelligence, to the genetic engineers who created them. Replicants were used Off-World as slave labor, in the hazardous exploration and colonization of other planets. After a bloody mutiny by a NEXUS 6 combat team in an Off-World colony, Replicants were declared illegal on earth - under penalty of death. Special police squads - BLADE RUNNER UNITS - had orders to shoot to kill, upon detection, any trespassing Replicant.

This was not called execution.

It was called retirement. - Opening title card

Film snobs are better than no one else at pointing out what's wrong with your repertoire. The good ones push films that are important with their explanation as to why, the better ones suggest more obscure art-house that might just inspire fans of the common Hollywood to expand their horizons, and the bad ones just lift their nose at you for not knowing who Buñuel is.

Every film snob, however, will reply to "I haven't seen Blade Runner," with "YOU HAVEN'T SEEN BLADE RUNNER?!" They may perhaps add a polite "Really?" or a less savoury, "As if I even know you. Come, Harold! We're leaving."

Daryll

Should someone ask me to define, in one film title, the meaning of the words 'Cult Classic', I'd make that title Blade Runner. I'm not going to bog you down with a review.  These shots and quotes should remind you, ye who hast nae seen this work, to get off your asses and get on with it.

Is this testing whether I'm a replicant or a lesbian, Mr. Deckard? - Rachael

I swear when it's time for flying cars, this'll be what they look like. 

I'll just add a 'why': many of this film's innovations have carried through to today without any sign of letting go.  When I dream of a future for our world, I think Blade Runner's aesthetic has left a permanent mark on it - a 'for your consideration' blueprint, if you will. 

Christ, Deckard, you look almost as bad as that skin job you left on the sidewalk. -  Bryant

What's good Film Noir without an awkward love scene?

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. - Batty

When one imagines these classic sci-fi oversized pistols, harrier cars and vidphones amidst a bleak, dark, rainy and over-industrialized cityscape, it's hard to imagine anything like the bogus "Star Trek" utopia we see on television. Blade Runner's far more human.

Overall Rating: 92% (Timeless)

Aftertaste:

All good Film Noir has at least one slapping scene. Blade Runner is no exception. It doesn't have to be man-on-woman slapping.  A good man on man let-em-know-who's-boss humiliation double tap can really get the point across.