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BY LUIS BUENAFLOR JR.
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Monday, October 16, 2017
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THERE are a few films that leave a profound effect on moi, this one probably is top on the list. It’s not just that the genre is film noir and really on the edgy side but the circumstances why moi even watched this particular film. We are talking here of the original “Blade Runner” released in 1982.
It was sometime late 1982 or early 1983. Moi was in the final embers of a relationship. My marriage was coming to an end and it was one of those nights when you have no one to talk to.
The night was gloomy and there was a steady drizzle. Walking down Calle Real, the city seemed desolate. Moi was thinking of going down the Tavern Pub just beside the old SM Delgado and have a few beers, get drunk and drown my sorrows listening to live jazz.
Perhaps it was a twist of faith. Passing the old Allegro Theater, the drizzle turned into buckets of rain. It was almost time for the last the last full show. Lo and behold, “Blade Runner” was playing. Now, moi had no idea what the film was all about although watching the posters got moi interested. It was raining hard so moi went in to catch the film’s last full show.
From that free online encyclopedia:
“Blade Runner is a 1982 American neo-noir science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos. The script was written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. It is a loose adaptation of the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. Set in a dystopian Los Angeles in 2019, the story depicts a future in which synthetic humans known as replicants are bioengineered by the powerful Tyrell Corporation to work on off-world colonies. When a fugitive group of replicants led by Roy Batty (Hauer) escape back to Earth, burnt-out Los Angeles cop Rick Deckard (Ford) reluctantly accepts one last assignment to hunt them down. During his investigations, Deckard meets Rachel (Young), an advanced replicant who causes him to question his mission.”
To say that moi was overwhelmed is an understatement; The Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis is a dark melodic combination of classic composition and futuristic synthesizers which mirrors the film-noir retro-future envisioned by Director Ridley Scott.
Vangelis composed and performed the music on his synthesizers with a haunting tenor sax solo “Love Theme” by British saxophonist Dick Morrissey.
“The film operates on multiple dramatic and narrative levels. It employs some of the conventions of film noir. It is a literate science fiction film, thematically enfolding the philosophy of religion and moral implications of human mastery of genetic engineering in the context of classical Greek drama and hubris.”
“The dystopian themes explored in Blade Runner are an early example of the expansion of cyberpunk concepts into cinema. Eyes are a recurring motif, as are manipulated images, calling into question the nature of reality and our ability to accurately perceive and remember it.”
Although it is a sci-fi film, it is basically a love story using the forbidden love theme i.e. “Romeo and Juliet”. It is a love story between Rick Deckard and Rachael, a replicant and a blade runner.
The story was set in the future 37 years after 1982 which is 2019 and the story ends with Deckard and Rachael running away to try find a new life.
“Too bad she won’t live… then again who does”… and the film ends with these final lines.
And 30 years after we have the sequel “Blade Runner 2049”…
“Blade Runner 2049” is directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, with Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista and Jared Leto in supporting roles. The story depicts a bioengineered human named K, who discovers the remains of a once-pregnant replicant. To prevent a possible war between replicants and humans, K is secretly tasked with finding the child and destroying all evidence related to it, leading him to discover that the child bears a connection to missing blade runner Rick Deckard.”
Film critic Scott Collura of IGN called it one of the best sequels ever, saying: “2049 plays off of the themes, plot, and characters of the 1982 movie without cannibalizing it or negating or retroactively ruining any of those elements. Rather, it organically expands and grows what came before. It’s a deep, rich, smart film that’s visually awesome and full of great sci-fi concepts, and one that was well worth the 35-year wait.”
Yes, it was worth the wait and watching it 35 years after still gives one that dark dystopian cyber punk mood like you’ve just taken LSD. (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)
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