Why did I watch Blade Runner? For literally no other reason than I want to watch Blade Runner 2049 soon. That’s genuinely the only reason. So imagine how pissed off I was when I found out I sat through this drivel only to find out that I don’t need to see this film to understand the newer (and presumably better) movie.
Okay, okay, I hear all you classic sci-fi nerds crying because I said that. So let me start off with a thing or two that I was impressed by when watching this.
Firstly, it’s hard to believe that this was made in 1982. These writers are some sort of psychics, I’m sure of it. They got so many modern day technologies right (voice activated devices, video calling), that it’s spooky. The effects and sound stages are also extremely advanced for a film from so early on that I was convinced that The Terminator was older. Understandably, Blade Runner has drawn many comparisons to the Terminator premise due to similarities in theme and story line. But honestly, this movie doesn’t even come close.
I understand that these types of classics are near and dear to some people’s hearts because they grew up around the time of release and there was genuinely nothing better. (I mean, there was literally Star Wars, but sure). But in this day and age, Blade Runner just doesn’t hold up. It is somehow so technically advanced for the early eighties, but simultaneously feels dated.
It is slow too; the plot advances at such a glacial pace that it ends up being extremely boring. Sure, it kept my attention the entire way through, but I put that down to me willing for something more exciting to happen. And while we’re on plot, what was the point in that side romance story line? Not a single human came to this movie for romance, so why not just leave it at sci-fi thriller? Once again, The Terminator gets the one up.
Since voicing my opinions on this movie, I’ve had several people (men) tell me that it would probably be better if I rewatched it and that they rewatched it and loved it the second time and blah blah blah. But listen, I’d rather not put myself through that torture for a second time, so thanks anyway.
All in all, Blade Runner just seems like another example of how dudebros often remember things too fondly. It’s just not that good.
At least when they got all upset and teary-eyed about an all-female Ghostbusters, they were passionate about something that was actually decent…
Blade Runner is available to stream on Sky Go and NowTV in the UK.
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