A GROUNDBREAKER IN 1982 AND STILL WORTH WATCHING
Cert 15
117 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong violence
A week after watching Alex Garland's Ex-Machina, I went back to the future for Ridley Scott's Blade Runner: The Final Cut which is schedule for re-release in March.
The comparisons are obvious and fascinating with both movies having, at their core, the subject of artificial intelligence.
However, it is ironic that Blade Runner, set in 2019, struggles to pass the test of time.
I wouldn't wish to doubt its place in cinema history. There are legions of movies which have tried and failed to ape it, notably The Fifth Element.
But, in retrospect, while accepting its status as a classic, there are also parts which caused me frustration.
Firstly, its back story is very limited.
So, why is Harrison Ford's character the only Blade Runner who is capable of tracking down the four replicants who have turned up on earth. Where are the rest?
At a time when there is enough money to colonise other planets, create near perfect artificial intelligence and have flying cars, why are there so few electric lights?
This is particularly odd, considering the fact that there are huge neon adverts for the major companies of the day (interestingly, Coca-Cola and Budweiser are still with us but the future wasn't so bright for Pan-Am and TDK isn't the household name it once was.)
Also, why does everywhere seem so derelict and poor.
And why is security around the rich and powerful so lax?
I expect sci-fi fans to wade it with a splurge of explanations for all of the above but they certainly weren't clear to me.
Actually, in my view, this is where Garland succeeds in Ex-Machina - he appeals to sci-fi fans but doesn't put off non-geeks.
That all said, I enjoyed Blade Runner. Harrison Ford produces the required sweat as the gun-toting hero who is brought out of retirement.
Rutger Hauer is nicely unhinged as the replicants' leader, Daryl Hannah is barely recognisable as his cartwheeling comrade and Sean Young is splendidly vulnerable as the replicant who thinks she is human.
The darkness (although never explained) creates a claustrophobic atmosphere and a sense that danger could lurk around every corner.
I accept that, in 1982, it was a ground-breaker and, for that, Ridley Scott deserves much credit.
Ridley Scott: "I envisioned Blade Runner as a dark comic strip against a world that was so different and I didn't realise people would take it all so seriously, saying 'is this the prediction of the future?'."
Reasons to watch: Its originality, style, direction and tension
Reasons to avoid: Because it hasn't really passed the test of time
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 8/10