More Human, Than Human

BluRay has give me the excuse of revisiting some favorite movies of mine, one that happen to be established classics too. Ridley Scott's Blade Runner is one of those movies, beautifully restored in high definition a few years ago. The version I watched, The Final Cut, is basically the early 90's Directors Cut with a few special effects replaces or reinstated with a subtle re-edit and sound mix to spruce things up a bit. And a good job Sir Ridley did as this is the best incarnation of the science fiction classic there's ever been.

There's two main things that I take away with me on seeing Blade Runner this time round. Firstly, it's an extraordinary visual experience. The impeccably designed cityscapes, apartment interiors, vehicles, costumes, hairstyles and make-up, weapons and other props are a unique post modern mish-mash of retro and futuristic design. I'd forgotten what a major, major influence this film has had on me as an artist; the bleak, oppressive cityscapes, the litter strewn streets, the constantly raining, misty exteriors and the neon, lens flares and spotlights that pierce the gloom. Then there's the cynical side of me that love's the dystopian vision that Scott has created; where corporations dominate the cities, living like Gods in pyramid like buildings and where elitism rules with the poor and sick living on Earth like second class citizens.

Then there's the story, very different from the Philip K. Dick novel "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" on which it's based. On the surface it's a simple tale of a cop hunting down and killing for androids. But it's so much deeper and multi-layer than that. Questions of what is it to really be human, are raised. Other issues too; Is it experiences or memories that define a person? Where do you draw the line between right and wrong? Issues of faith, mortality, morality, slavery, sociology, love, death, and life are all tackled..and all with minimal dialogue (thanks to the removal of that grating voice over from the theatrical cut.)

Add to that great performances (Sean Young is beguiling/Rutger Hauer mesmerizing), Vangelis's unique score mixing electronic ambiance and haunting jazz, Douglass Trumball's detailed, awe inspiring effects and Ridley Scott's assured direction which is borderline art house. Still as good as it ever was; perhaps even better now. As the world slowly spirals to it's doom with corporations crushing the 'little people' and climate change makes human population expansion more of a drain on the environment, Blade Runner stands there and proclaims, "Told you so."