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I really don’t understand what all the fuss is about with Blade Runner. It is quite often quoted as the best Sci Fi film of all time as well as Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott’s best, but personally I find it duller than dishwater.
The last two times I tried to watch it, I fell asleep approximately 40 minutes in. Today I managed to make it to the end, but kind of wished I hadn’t bothered.
For me the story is weak and lacklustre. Deckard’s search for the runaway replicants plods without any momentum save for the street chase with Zhora that ends in a spectacular sequence of smashing glass and the final scenes with Roy hunting Deckard through the abandoned house. Aside from these two moments, the narrative crawls along with nothing much happening making the 2 hour running time drag.
The love affair between Deckard and replicant Rachel is stilted and somewhat unbelievable. The notion that Deckard may be replicant and only feels attracted to one of his own is interesting but could have been explored more. As it is the idea of any romance between them is implausible and the acting duplicates this with both of them wooden and no sexual chemistry coming across at all (again this could all be planned, but it is boring nonetheless).
The main aspect of the film that rings ludicrous is Roy’s transition from strong, silent type to crazed, quipping lunatic in the final half hour. Again, you can read more into it should you choose – the death of Pris has awakened primitive emotions within Roy and he is unable to express them fully – but his then sudden turn to saving Deckard from certain death only to simply sit and die is frankly bizarre.
The one redeeming feature to Blade Runner is the stunning visuals. From the intricately detailed buildings and cities, to Pris’ makeup and Sebastian’s automatons, each detail is breathtaking and beautifully shot. It makes me sad for the loss of a film that could’ve been given the elements involved, rather than the bland snoozefest the actual end product is.
