Ridley Scott’s immortal classic — not just a science fiction triumph but one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of all time — is steeply rooted in Dickian philosophies and speculation. Even Philip K. Dick loved it.
In a bleak and foggy future, Deckard (Harrison Ford, in one of his greatest roles) is a "blade runner," a bounty hunter hired to track down and terminate robot Replicants who have escaped from off-world colonies and are posing as humans on Earth. This is Scott firing on all cylinders, giving as much care and attention to its chase movie mechanics as he does to its existential contours and grooves. This is a movie about the nature of humanity that also allows room for some truly spectacular set pieces. It’s saying something that "Blade Runner" is arguably the most tinkered with movie ever (the definitive home video package has no fewer than five cuts), and yet no matter how many times the chief question of whether or not Deckard is a replicant himself is seemingly answered, it still spurs debate amongst fans.
Leave a Reply