In the beginning… SPOILERS ALERT !
BLADE RUNNER 1982 – Review
Director/Producer/Filmmaker, Ridley Scott directed the original BLADE RUNNER in 1982, based on Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
The book and movie raised questions, in regards to our SOUL :
Is it possible to create a soul ?
Will humans become GOD-LIKE, trying to replicate, what our creator has already done ?
Is there a creator ?
What is the reason for having a SOUL ?
Can HUMANS create better creations, then our GOD ?
Will HUMANS mistreat REPLICANTS as slaves to do their dirty work ?
What are the consequences of becoming GOD-LIKE ?
This is far as the movie follows into the actual book, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
As much as I enjoy Ridley Scott’s creation, “Blade Runner” it was shocking to hear, the book and movie are two completely different entities. Other then this factor, Ridley Scott was sure not to disappoint, when I first watch this amazing creation at our local theatre, (while living in Kelowna, BC).
To further understand why this movie meant so much to me, you’ll have to know the circumstances.
1982 : Two years after the death of my child, Jenni, it was a time for soul searching, questioning the existence of any GOD. Emptiness throughout the years. However, we were grateful to welcome in our newborn arrival, ( it’s a girl!) Tianndra, on February 20, 1982.
When the movie, “Blade Runner” came to the Box Office in June 25, 1982, the storyline captivated me. Again, the question riddle my mind, “Do we have a Soul ?
To have a soul or not, is extremely relevant to me, because of Jenni’s legacy. Without a soul, our purpose in life would mean absolutely nothing. Our existence is nothing more then the next savage animal waiting it’s turn on the of evolutionary turntable, as humans experience the seventh massive extinction on earth ( this is why it’s so important to explore other planets and colonize, before it’s too late ). Since the dawn of life, we already had six deadly extinctions. Are we nothing more then an evolutionary existence until the next extinction wipes us out ?
You see, I have to believe we humans have a soul.
The original “Blade Runner” came and left us in awe. The last monologue of character, Roy Batty ( played by gifted actor, Rutger Hauer) TEARS IN THE RAIN :
“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.” ( Read more for an in-depth outline )
– Roy Batty
Back then, his dialogue brought tears to my eyes, remembering Jenni, close to my heart and soul. Needless to say, the original Blade Runner was a leading success.
BLADE RUNNER 2049 – Review
Fast forward 35 years later, finally… BLADE RUNNER 2049 was released to the public. To me, it too never disappointed. From the beginning quote on Blade Runner 2049 movie, it sure captivated the science-fiction storyline:
“REPLICANTS : Are Bioengineered Humans, designed by Tyrell Corporation for use OFF-WORLD. Their enhanced strength made them idea slave labour.
After a series of violent rebellions, their manufacture became prohibited and TYRELL CORP went bankrupt.
The collapse of ecosystems [ Blade Runner Black Out 2022* ] in the mid 2020’s led to the rise of industrialist NAIANDER WALLACE. whose mastery of synthetic farming avert famine.
Wallace acquired the remains of the Tyrell Corp and created a new line of REPLICANTS who obey.
Many OLDER MODEL REPLICANTS – NEXUS 8 with OPEN-ENDED LIFESPAN – survived.
Those that HUNT them still go by the name…
BLADE RUNNER “
* Everyone knew where they were during the BLACKOUT
Blade Runner 2049 continued in strong relationship to the original, not missing a beat, including epic storyline of how the EYE can expose any REPLICANT. In the original, taking a close-up, inside look of the cornea (clear lens) and the tall-tell signs of the iris (functions like the diaphragm of a camera), it was quick to red-flag a replicant. With replicants assuming human form in every way except strengthen, biological warfare and extreme military tactical, it’s hard to pinpoint any replicant within a crowd.
In Bladerunner 2049, Naiander Wallace ( aka, actor Jared Leto ), leading CEO of the now corporate giant produces controllable, docile replicants. To add even higher security, each replicant is easier to pick out now, because their eyes are embedded with a unique serial number.
Curious, however, Naiander Wallace is blind.
It’s not speculated why or how he became blind, just the fact he is blind. However, he has these cool mini-droids that see in any capacity he wants. We’re clear, Naiander is indeed the protagonist with a heavy chip on his shoulder. Perfection is everything to him. Anything of lessor quality is quickly disposed of.
Again, the writer (Hampton Fancher) cleverly leads us on with the EYE concept. Needless to say, I’m sure Hampton Fancher and Michael Green (also, both screenwriters) had a blast telling this intriguing mysterious story.
Remember Deckard (played by iconic actor Harrison Ford) ?
In the original Blade Runner, it was loosely assumed, Deckard could possibly be a replicant himself, but unaware of it. Unfortunately, in Blade Runner 2049, we still aren’t sure. However, leading on the audience, is without a doubt, a sweet morsel for the next Blade Runner 2060 ?
To update, Deckard falls in love with a female replicant, named Rachael, who doesn’t realize she’s a replicant at all (thanks to creator, Dr Eldon Tyrell). Deckard and Rachael run away and along their journey, they’re able to have a child (another gift by Dr Tyrell). This is another reason we think Deckard could also be a replicant and not know it. Maybe, before the doctor made Rachael, it’s quite possible, he may of made a male replicant, named Deckard.
Writer Hampton Fancher has left it open for viewers to make their own assumptions ; which is genius!
Now comes along Blade Runner 2049, with a modern updated replicant, Blade Runner K (played by Canadian actor Ryan Gosling) ; also named Joe by his sweet holographic girlfriend Joi, who believed K could be a real boy, due to his real memory implant ( most replicants were given fake memory implants).
However, we know this couldn’t be true ; but Joe did hope.
In the beginning of Blade Runner 2049, K finds skeleton remains of Rachael, who they realize died of a C -Section during birth. Immediately, it’s clear, there must be a replicant child (or possibly a human-crossed replicant ?). K’s mission (ordered by human Lt. Joshi) is to seek out and destroy the replicant child before a war breaks out between the replicants and humans. As well, CEO Naiander is determined to find the child before the humans, because he wants to produce an infinite army of replicants, to rule the worlds of the universe. Until now, his replicants aren’t prefect. His thirst to be a GOD, build an army of perfectly designed replicants, that could give birth, is his ultimate dream.
Talk about a control freak – dictatorship at its highest calling.
As we know, K has a conscious. He can’t kill the child, or can he destroy Deckard either. In itself, even though K isn’t human, it’s the most human thing that can be done. As said, “Dying for the right cause, is the most human thing we can do.”
If LUV ( a Nexus-9 replicant designed by Niander ) has anything to do with it, she wants to impress her boss, no matter the cost. After all, Niander entrusted her as his right-hand No 1 (if you will ), to give her very own name LUV, instead of a serial number, like K ( KD6-3.7 ).
The outcome could go either way.
LUV is indeed, the most calculated killer of all them all. Her determination is relentless !
Blade Runner 2049 is a mastery of screenwriting, leading viewers to more questions then answers. As a science-fiction writer, I adore open-ended questions throughout the storyline, with cleverly placed plot coupons**, adding to the mystery. Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 are both great movies and, (if you haven’t seen either one) a must to your next science-fiction thriller list.
Bari Demers – screenwriter and storyteller
**Plot Coupons : also known as a ‘MacGuffin’ – a plot device in the form of a goal, desired object, or another motivator that the protagonist pursues, often with little or no narrative explanation. The MacGuffin’s importance to the plot is not the object itself, but rather its effect on the characters and their motivations. READ more…
Dreams and Reality 