Sci-fi is usually a popcorn flick genre. What sets Blade Runner apart from every single other sci-fi movie ever made (and that is not an exaggeration) is that it is DEEP. This future noire movie is less about robots and a dystopian world as it is about life and death and deep questions like "What does it mean to be human?" and "What happens to us when we die?"
In the year 2019, most humans have moved off-planet to colony planets where replicants (basically humanoid androids) wait on their human masters. Six replicants escape a colony and illegally return to earth (where everything is dirty and shitty). A retired blade runner (a cop who hunts replicants) named Deckard is thrown back into the fray and ordered to hunt down and eliminate the renegade robots.
This could have just been a standard man vs. machine sci-fi romp, but there's a reason it's a cult classic. The humans in the movie are presented as being uncaring, mechanical beings while the replicants are loving, emotional beings obsessed with their own self-preservation. The replicants are built with only a four-year lifespan and emotions and memories so they break into their creator's home and beg him for longer lifespans. When he's not into it, the head replicant straight-up murders his ass and delivers a philosophical diatribe in the climactic final battle with Deckard.
This is a far cry from his Indiana Jones character for Harrison Ford. Whereas IJ is a badass pimp, Decker is a tired, emo bitch. He spends the entire movie getting his ass kicked by the replicants. Ford is certainly serviceable in the role, but the real star of the film is Rutger Hauer in his role as the head replicant, Roy Batty. The character's motivation is simple: he wants to live. There is no more basic or relatable issue.
The thing everyone talks about with Blade Runner is the ambiguous ending and the question, Is Deckard a replicant? The answer is...he was not. Ridley Scott can try to retcon the ending all he wants, but it doesn't make any sense if Deckard is a replicant. First of all, it totally ruins the whole man vs. machine theme. But here's the real smoking gun: Deckard...is a sopping wet pussy. All the replicants are super fast and super agile and super strong. Deckard is a super puss. He gets beat down the entire movie. If he was a replicant, he'd be a total BA...not a chump. Controversy resolved.
This really is one of those films that any respectable cinephile must see. This is sci-fi as art. This is on par with the original Aliens (although good for totally different reasons) in terms of quality. It asks important questions. The special effects are amazing but don't try to overshadow the story or the acting. It's a GOOD movie. Wish they made more of those these days...
Why It's Awesome:
A shitty future. Robots. Product placement. It seems like a dozen other sci-fi movies, but this one is better. Trust me.
Best Quote:
Batty: All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die.
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