I have always been a person who dislikes being a fan and being labeled as a fan of something. On one hand it has been dislike of fanatism in general, on the other hand I don't like that others simplify my personality through tags that label me as fan of something, or even see me as a sterewotype of something. As a teenager I couldn't understand worship of bands and celebrities, and regarded mass following in general stupid even to a degree that I tended to ignore things that were popular back then, even though later I've grown very fond of some bands that were popular during my teens, such as CMX and Smashing Pumpkins. And even if I have had really keen interest in something, I've lost interest in it quite fast and focused my attention to other things. That being said, there is one science fiction movie that has always been one of my favorites, which keeps its marvel after several watchings and that still has atmospheric visuals even when compared to today's special effects and computer generated backgrounds.
Blade Runner is a science fiction film that borrows a lot from Film Noir, but is still in my opinion a good example of soft science fiction where science is used to portray questions essential to society and humanity. The futuristic LA is not just a backdrop of events but reflection of developments of society in time to come. The setting is bleak, dark and rainy, but details and atmosphere makes the setting beliavable and hauntinly beautiful. Themes of the movie touch pollution, genetic engineering, technological determinism, globalization, corporate power and fear of death, but the most important question in the movie is about humanity - what makes us human? Human-like replicants are identified through testing and hunted by assumed human, Rick Deckard. The viewers may first identify with Deckard, but gradually, as the movie progresses, replicants start to seem more and more human. Deckard, hunting and killing replicants because of his job starts to question himself, and the difference between the humans and replicants.
The movie has influenced a lot of later films and video games. It has also somewhat big cult following, and has stood the test of time well, eventhough it wasn't a big hit when it was released. I have also participated in online discussions and interested in the fan community surrounding Blade Runner. The visual style and music still inspire me a lot, and the films and games that carry some sort of resemblance to Blade Runner always interest me, even though I am often disappointed with them. The movie is for me a some sort of standard that I compare science fiction movies to, and I haven't yet came across anything that comes close to it. In truth, perhaps I don't even want to.
Hei Eero, Blade Runner is one of my favourite films and I think it is important for cinema and technology also. When I was studying cinema, our teacher always pointed out Blade Runner as dystopian future film and the edge of science fiction cinema genre.Also to think that, the story of the book and the film will be real in the future or not? every time when I watch movie I ask questions about world in future.
ReplyDeleteHi, I also think Blade Runner is one of the my favorite SF films. Considering the special effects used in the film are so outdated now, there are still some elements sparkling and fresh.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how you think about 'fan' culture...I see lots similarities in myself.
Blade Runner is good movie, I like it a lot.
ReplyDeleteThere have been similar games also. Well there is ths "Blade Runner" for PC, that was ok put not VERY good one.
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/bladerunner/index.html
And from way back there is game called "Snatcher" from Hideo Kojima. Same guy that have made the "Metal Gear" series too. This game is for many platforms, but I have played on MSX2 (published December 13, 1988) with PC emulator. When I was in Japan 2009, I met one of the Konami game maker and he was very suprised that I knew "Snatcher" game and the VERY old machine MSX2. It was fun to talk about old games with him then.
Anyway this game actually is very good one. Even it is old one, it has that nice cyberpunk and science fiction feeling in it. And this game really looks like Blade Runner even it don't have nothing to do with it. Well with the Blade Runner movie..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snatcher
Sorry I forgot this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176763
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ReplyDeleteSnatcher really seems to borrow a lot from Blade Runner. Thanks for the recommendation, the Blade Runner PC game I already had on my laptop.
ReplyDeleteSome thematic elements of Blade runner are often under discussion on media nowadays, but androids becoming humanlike is something I don't see happening in near future. Although Nexus One Android phones are already out ;)