vtburns

I heartily concur with the praise heaped on this film. I found the story engrossing and captivating - but oh dear, I think there was a little stumble at the last fence. As the climax loomed I realised exactly where we were going - only the fatal mode of transport caught me out. For all its tenderness and humour elsewhere, the last minutes were leaden footed. Enjoy this film in all its glory, for it is a gem, but be prepared to finish with an 'oh, come off it'. I wasn't expecting happy ever after, there was enough previous pain and angst to indicate that this was not a likely outcome, but my disbelief was being suspended for a rather more original ending.

I have only ever seen this film once, I only ever want to see this film once and I will only ever need to see this film once. It is etched on my mind. I, like many others, left in silence. I could not imagine inventing a critical analysis of this film, picking small points of detail or of style, or even scoring points off the Director. It stands alone as a monumental piece of cinema, a magnificent accomplishment.

Aha, I DID see this first time around and I thought it was jaw dropping back then (but I was well into ploughing through PKDs entire bibliography at the time and firmly in possession of an anorak). Of course, I have spent the rest of my life trying to explain why I think Blade Runner is a Sci-fi tour-de-force to the unenlightened (which sadly includes my wife). You do spot the continuity gaffs with repeated watching and I'm still sure there is a discrepancy between the number of skin jobs supposedly on the loose (as initially briefed) and the number aired out (and I am including the one vapourised on escape). That said, there is sufficient gem quality material here to last a life time. I even found a reference to Blade Runner in an Oxford University text book on International Relations which sites its future view as redolent of 'radical neo-idealist ethical anarchy and urban decay'. There you have it - academic street cred as well. 10/10