What Is The DEAL With Bladerunner?

[killerzzz]

I need someone to help me, to tell me, why Bladerunner was so darn popular. I can't see: it was one of the few movies that bored me out of my mind. Like, I could tell there were some interesting ideas/concepts, but the execution was slow and uninteresting in itself. The acting: bleh. The pace: bleh. All it had was a potential story and a decent vision, but I've had pleanty of those myself, but I don't make something of it if its not complete/ready.

So why was it such a big deal? What made it so darn impressive?

The reason I'm having this wee outburst right now ( ) is because I was at the movie store and saw a Bladerunner special edition, in a foot-long, 20cm tall Metal box, with five discs, all in HD DVD for 80$. I can't understand why someone would BUY that! Plus tax, you're lookin 90.40$, or something.

I dunno, its driving me nuts. I need someone to tell me why I should have liked that movie (that is, why anyone particualrily liked it).

Sorry, I'm just a little nuts right now.

Killerzzz

[The Sonar Chicken]

Do you mean that old sci-fi movie?

Hmmm... I guess it was "awesome" for its' time.

[Elliot Kane]

I don't know, Kaz. I agree with you. It bored me, too.

[The Sonar Chicken]

To be frank, it seemed to be full of technicalities and concepts that'd appeal only to those who knew their thing.

[Elliot Kane]

With scenery lifted straight from the pages of Judge Dredd, too...

[hector]

You know, they used to burn people like all of you in stakes some centuries ago.

Bunch'a heathens.

[killerzzz]

Don't get me wrong, I like old movies. Heck, I LOVE old movies, especially when they come up with something New and Wonderful for their time, a great idea, something different.

I TRIED to enjoy this movie, but somehow it didn't get there.

Killerzzz

[hector]

Ok, since you did asked.

Simply put, Blade Runner is widely considered to be one of the best science fiction films ever made. In fact, recently it has been considered to be *THE* best science fiction ever made.

It wasn't always that way. In fact, most of the people echoed some of the same thoughts said here at the time. It wasn't a success. The story of the long, hard road of making BD doesn't end up with a multitude standing outside the Chinese Theater. By all accounts, it was a flop.

See, for a movie to be successful, it has to ride the zeitgest of its time. It can't be outdated, but at the same time, it can't be ahead of its time. And Blade Runner was way, way ahead of its time.

Audiences expecting a fun, exciting romp like Star Wars, after all, it was starring Harrison Ford, Indy and Han Solo, were treated to different kind of movie. BR wasn't bright and optimist. It was dark, it was depressing. It had depth. It wasn't a ride kind of movie.

No, Blade Runner works on many other levels. It's one of the smartest films ever made. It touches on overpopulation, paranoia, government control, religious and scientific implications of advanced genetic engineering, humanity, life, death and hubris. You won't find many pictures who are able to match the sheer power of the depth and literacy found in Blade Runner. All of those themes are more resonant *now* than they were in 1982. That's why it's such a big 'deal' now, the current rerelease. (among other things)

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The influence of its themes and characters is paralleled by it's visual influence. Even though Elliot is technically wrong (BR wasn't inspired by 2000 AD nor Judge Dredd, but by Moebius work in the french magazine Métal Hurlant), BR *did* succesfully translate an otherwise thought impossible and highly stylized landscape to cinema. And they did it almost flawlessly. The main selling point of the current release, the version called The Final Cut, features an impeccable restoration, but the effects just needed a little cleaning up, a bit of tweaking, not a complete redo like Lucas did in some scenes, and they stand up to the best VFX houses has to offer these days.

Most people may not have liked it when it was released, but some did. And those few grew up to be writers, directors, artists, you name it. BR influence can be felt in movies, TV shows, anime, manga, comics, etc. With the exception of Star Wars, no other film have had the same visual influence that BR had.

BR is practically a pre-requisite viewing for anyone who has even the slightest interest in films. BR isn't only seen and enjoyed, BR is taught in University and College classes. And not only in film courses, by the way.

No one has to like Blade Runner, obviously. But it *is* one of the best sci-films ever made. It is one of the most important films ever made. The American Film Institute and the Library of Congress of the United States of America certainly think so.

That's enough for more than enough people to spend $100 US (more like $70, actually thanks to Amazon) in a five disc collection encompassing the five different versions of the films that have been released so far at one point or another.

[killerzzz]

@hec. There we go, good. ;D See, this is what I needed. When a person does not enjoy something, their opinion can effectively block the view of others, and thats where you came in.

Okydoke, thanks. Now I understand a bit more. I felt something in it, but like I said, I couldn't vibe with it. Still can't, but now at least I know the other end of the stick. ;D

Killerzzz

[Alrik]

Bladerunner was just a film noir to me in an Sci-Fi universe, imho, with a reality projected far ahead of its time - a reality that might still become true.

I didn't like it because of its gloominess and darkness. Otherwise I would've enjoyed it.