Blade Runner (1982)

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Dec 012010
 


Blade Runner (1982)

  • Directed by: Ridley Scott
  • Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah (in a REALLY bad wig)
  • Release Date: 1982

[Click here for Background Info]

SYNOPSIS

20 years ago (give or take), the Tyrell Corporation successfully creates genetically engineered androids, called replicants, designed to be like humans in just about every way. They are physically identical to humans, and they think and learn like humans do. They can be tailored to fulfill specific functions and are all designed to work in adverse environments. Result: the human race now has all the “slave” labor it needs to get things done.

Naturally, the replicants violently revolt, and, naturally, the humans thumb them down.

As our story begins, in 2019, Earth has become that crappy neighborhood everyone’s trying to move out of (to the “Off-world Colonies”). Anyone who stays behind is either physically unable to leave OR has a sick, psychological need to remain with the dregs. Replicants are forbidden to be on Earth, and any found are immediately terminated. Blade Runner squads (part of the police) are tasked to hunt down and kill any replicants that manage to sneak on to the planet. Continue reading »

 Posted by at 3:36 am

The Blade Runner Principle: How To Make A Fantastic Film Despite Yourself

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Dec 012010
 


THE LOWDOWN

Blade Runner (1982) is considered one of the best freakin’ sci-fi films of all time, which is amazing considering everything about the film’s creation, from writing the script to shooting to editing for release, was Hollywood’s version of Open Warfare.

[If you want to get a real taste of how screwed up the filmmaking process is, I suggest you follow this link for the full story on Imbd.com. Make sure you check out the T-Shirt wars on the set during filming. I kid you not!]

Based (somewhat) on Philip K. Dick’s story, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” this sci-fi Classic with a capital ‘C’ has been re-released 3 times and re-cut for re-release twice. The first release of the film had this really horrible voice over (by Harrison Ford) that explained the entire film to the viewers. This was added because the producers at the time fired Ridley Scott and took control of the project right near the end. They didn’t think audiences would understand the film without help. They also insisted on the “happy ending.” By some miracle, it was recognized as an amazing film anyway.

In 1989, the original print was discovered and released to a limited number of theaters. A few years later, the entire film was re-cut and re-released without the voice over and without the really stupid “drive off into the sunset” final shot, and, again, it was absolutely amazing!

However, Scott only considers the most recent cut (2007) to be the FINAL final cut because the re-cut and re-release #2 team did not allow him enough time to participate to the extent he wanted to [or he turned them down. You never know with these auteur types]. Continue reading »

 Posted by at 12:01 am
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