Blade Runner
Webb Peoples, lead actors: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young, running time:
117 minutes (1 hour and 57 minutes) (IMDb).
Film Trailer
General Review of The Film
Film Techniques
Framing
Close-ups, long shots, etc.
During one of the first scenes of the film, when the agent from the Tyrell
corporation is doing a test to one of the “robots” (Leon), there is a close up shot of the
camera that he uses to look into the eyes of the replicants. This makes us think, who is
really behind the mind of the robot? Do they have feelings? Do they analyze and have
a subjective experience related to what they are seeing? It puts a lot of emphasis and
importance on the camera and the eyes of the “robot”.
corporation is doing a test to one of the “robots” (Leon), there is a close up shot of the
camera that he uses to look into the eyes of the replicants. This makes us think, who is
really behind the mind of the robot? Do they have feelings? Do they analyze and have
a subjective experience related to what they are seeing? It puts a lot of emphasis and
importance on the camera and the eyes of the “robot”.
During the scene where Dr. Tyrell asks Deckard to do a “Voight-Kampff” test on
Rachael, the director used a very long shot, we can see the shade being lowered when
Deckard saying “it's too bright in here”. Everybody in this scene are at the same eye
level for the viewer, because none of the characters have more power than the others
in this scene. We do not know them yet. They are all equal and neutral.
Rachael, the director used a very long shot, we can see the shade being lowered when
Deckard saying “it's too bright in here”. Everybody in this scene are at the same eye
level for the viewer, because none of the characters have more power than the others
in this scene. We do not know them yet. They are all equal and neutral.
Sound
Diegetic—part of the film, Non-diegetic outside the film, Internal diegetic—from the
point of view of one character, etc.
point of view of one character, etc.
During the scene where the police officers and one of the replicants are flying
the police car and are traveling through the city, we can hear music in the background
(non-diegetic sound) the sound of classical music (violins), which makes the city look
beautiful in the eyes of the viewers.
the police car and are traveling through the city, we can hear music in the background
(non-diegetic sound) the sound of classical music (violins), which makes the city look
beautiful in the eyes of the viewers.
When Decker first admits to Rachael that she is a Replicant there is music
(non-diegetic sound) that really sets the tone for the scene. It is this very emotional
music that tells the audience that he feels bad. He does not want to tell her and he can
tell that this is not the thing she wants to hear.
(non-diegetic sound) that really sets the tone for the scene. It is this very emotional
music that tells the audience that he feels bad. He does not want to tell her and he can
tell that this is not the thing she wants to hear.
Lighting
Low-key, high-key, shadows/light, etc.
Deckard’s scenes are in the tone of blue and grey, which makes him look more
masculine. On the other hand when Pris is surrounded with plastic toys, the scene is
shot with a pink color shade, more feminine.
masculine. On the other hand when Pris is surrounded with plastic toys, the scene is
shot with a pink color shade, more feminine.
There is a blue tint to the lighting when Roy and Leon are in the laboratory of
the man who works on the eye balls for the Replicants. The whole room is very blue
and it is not only a recurring color, in terms of lighting, in this scene it adds an emphasis
on the room being cold.
the man who works on the eye balls for the Replicants. The whole room is very blue
and it is not only a recurring color, in terms of lighting, in this scene it adds an emphasis
on the room being cold.
Sets
Different scenes and what the sets were like, etc
The sets are amazing. When the camera takes us on the street level, we can see
that there is people from every part of the world, people who speak different languages,
which is likely how it is going to be in the future. But this set, it gives the viewer the idea that
everybody is in the underclass and that there is a lot of confusion and disorder. On the
other hand, when the camera takes us into the sky, we can see the futuristic world. This
shows us how the technology has revolutionized. There are a lot of flashes of colors
and the buildings have a lot of light.
that there is people from every part of the world, people who speak different languages,
which is likely how it is going to be in the future. But this set, it gives the viewer the idea that
everybody is in the underclass and that there is a lot of confusion and disorder. On the
other hand, when the camera takes us into the sky, we can see the futuristic world. This
shows us how the technology has revolutionized. There are a lot of flashes of colors
and the buildings have a lot of light.
Another cool set would be the freezing laboratory of the scientist who created
eyeballs for the Replicants. Everything in the room was frozen and all the technology
was very futuristic looking and even though it is in a film, the room feels cold. You can
tell from just looking at the set exactly what it is and how it is supposed to feel. This set,
in particular really layers the aesthetics of the old and the new. It is a a supposedly very
technologically advanced laboratory and yet some of the technology being used looks
outdated for the time period of the film.
eyeballs for the Replicants. Everything in the room was frozen and all the technology
was very futuristic looking and even though it is in a film, the room feels cold. You can
tell from just looking at the set exactly what it is and how it is supposed to feel. This set,
in particular really layers the aesthetics of the old and the new. It is a a supposedly very
technologically advanced laboratory and yet some of the technology being used looks
outdated for the time period of the film.
Important and significant props
The origami figure in the film implies that Gaff knew about Deckard's unicorn
dream. This, in turn, implies that Deckard is a replicant too and that Gaff knew about
Deckard's dream since it was an implanted memory. Furthermore, the origami man,
which was left for the replicant Leon to find, was used to make the viewers understand
that Leon in a sense was a paper man, which means made by a man, consequently not a
real human but a “robot”.
dream. This, in turn, implies that Deckard is a replicant too and that Gaff knew about
Deckard's dream since it was an implanted memory. Furthermore, the origami man,
which was left for the replicant Leon to find, was used to make the viewers understand
that Leon in a sense was a paper man, which means made by a man, consequently not a
real human but a “robot”.
A prop that was also very important to the film would be the Voight Kampff test
machine. It is very futuristic looking and plays an important role in the film.Without the
machine they would not be able to tell the Replicants from the humans. With the use of
this machine we learn that Rachael is a very advanced Replicant.
machine. It is very futuristic looking and plays an important role in the film.Without the
machine they would not be able to tell the Replicants from the humans. With the use of
this machine we learn that Rachael is a very advanced Replicant.
Main Themes
Word Count: 1144
Review
watch if you enjoy science fiction. However, if you are not a science fiction aficionado we
suggest you look elsewhere before watching such a niche film so that you can appreciate it
for what it is.
One of the main themes is the difference between man and machines and their ability to express emotions. Replicants are made by someone else, which means that they don’t have their own identity, but throughout the movie we see that they somehow develop emotions and act on their own. Furthermore, replicants can have fake memories implanted in their head, but does that make them more human? In the beginning of the movie, Rachael wasn’t aware that she was a replicant and then became convinced that she was a replicant when Deckard defined some of her childhood memories to her. Can we believe our memories or should we question them?
Throughout the movie,a question that was raised several times was whether replicants feel empathy and if yes, do they deserve basic human rights? When we think about robots, we think about the absence of feelings and emotions. In the movie, empathy is used to differentiate human from replicants through the voigtt-kampff test. If we think about, Racheal and Roy saved Deckard’s life, which means that they care about him, therefore they show signs of empathy. We can ask our self the question what really makes us human? In fact, some humans don’t even have empathy, what would happen in this case? Is Deckard going to kill them or will they be able to live since they are considered humans.
Lastly, one of the issues that was explored in the movie was whether or not it is morally right to use replicants as slaves, by making them do tasks that are considered dangerous to humans. In fact, Dr. Tyrell the owner of the Tyrell corporation created a ‘’nonhuman’’ society in order to make money from them and exploit them. Can we use them for our benefit, since we created them? Is it a proper life we are giving them? Do we need to set them free once they realized they are oppressed? If we think about it, those replications are as intelligent and as capable of having sincere emotions, but their life are restrained to 4 years of living and under slavery. Is it morally okay to say that the blade runners are ‘’killing them’’ in order to retire them?
Word Count: 1144
Review
Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is most definitely a science fiction classic. It set a new
precedent on how the science fiction genre could be a shaped and the way many later films,
of the same genre, would be created.
precedent on how the science fiction genre could be a shaped and the way many later films,
of the same genre, would be created.
Overall, it’s use of minimal lighting, shadows, set design and it's attention to detail
make for a refreshing aesthetic that pairs nicely with the story and its characters. For
example scenes that involve Deckard often have blue tones to them, whether through
lighting, costume design or the set itself, projecting his masculinity. While scenes with
Pris will have slight pink ones, showing her femininity. Ridley Scott is an expert when it
comes to cinematography and nothing shows this more than what he chooses to show and
when he shows it. A scene can start off as an intimate medium/close shot then pan back
into an extreme long shot showing us a world full of life.
make for a refreshing aesthetic that pairs nicely with the story and its characters. For
example scenes that involve Deckard often have blue tones to them, whether through
lighting, costume design or the set itself, projecting his masculinity. While scenes with
Pris will have slight pink ones, showing her femininity. Ridley Scott is an expert when it
comes to cinematography and nothing shows this more than what he chooses to show and
when he shows it. A scene can start off as an intimate medium/close shot then pan back
into an extreme long shot showing us a world full of life.
While Blade Runner is a cinematic marvel for it’s time, one area where we think it
lacks is its inability to tell a strong and cohesive narrative. Blade Runner’s characters and
world could have been expanded much more. There is hardly ever any indication to why
something is the way it is and when there is an explanation, it is short and sweet. We found
ourselves asking questions like, “what makes these replicants special?”, “how did they pass
through the uncanny valley?”, “what is their story?”, “how does the public feel about the
replicants?” and “what is Deckard’s story?”. We wanted to know more about the world of
Blade Runner and its inhabitants. The film’s visuals are what brought me in but its lack of
narrative made it hard for me to stay invested.
Overall, we think that Ridley Scott’s, 1982, Blade Runner is most definitely worth a lacks is its inability to tell a strong and cohesive narrative. Blade Runner’s characters and
world could have been expanded much more. There is hardly ever any indication to why
something is the way it is and when there is an explanation, it is short and sweet. We found
ourselves asking questions like, “what makes these replicants special?”, “how did they pass
through the uncanny valley?”, “what is their story?”, “how does the public feel about the
replicants?” and “what is Deckard’s story?”. We wanted to know more about the world of
Blade Runner and its inhabitants. The film’s visuals are what brought me in but its lack of
narrative made it hard for me to stay invested.
watch if you enjoy science fiction. However, if you are not a science fiction aficionado we
suggest you look elsewhere before watching such a niche film so that you can appreciate it
for what it is.
★ ★ ★ ★
Connections To Course Material
1) In our course pack, a self-aware self is defined as a being that perceives a subjective
experience and can reflect upon its own internal processes. A self-aware self implies that
a being can say “I am", that they can symbolically represent themselves. (p.7). This concept
is exemplified when Roy and Pris are in Sebastian’s house. Pris quotes Descartes to
Sebastian by saying “ I think, Sebastian, therefore I am” stating that she is more than just the
technology he aided in developing (he is the genetic designer). Pris is arguing that if she can
be aware that she has thoughts, and is thinking, then that would imply that she is aware of
herself and much more than just an addition to artificial intelligence.
experience and can reflect upon its own internal processes. A self-aware self implies that
a being can say “I am", that they can symbolically represent themselves. (p.7). This concept
is exemplified when Roy and Pris are in Sebastian’s house. Pris quotes Descartes to
Sebastian by saying “ I think, Sebastian, therefore I am” stating that she is more than just the
technology he aided in developing (he is the genetic designer). Pris is arguing that if she can
be aware that she has thoughts, and is thinking, then that would imply that she is aware of
herself and much more than just an addition to artificial intelligence.
2) In our course pack, sentience is defined as a subjective perceptual experience, having
feelings and desires (p.3). Rachael, who is a replicant demonstrates sentience when she is
confronted by Deckard’s harsh and deliberate questioning about her memories. Deckard
presses Rachael by asking her if she is able to remember her past as a child, her mother,
etc. Rachael does not know she is a replicant herself and these questions made her
emotional and displayed her feelings. Her vulnerability was shown to Deckard when she
began to cry because she had no answers to Deckard’s questions. Rachael having the
ability to feel pain and to cry implies that she was having a subjective experience. She
perceived his questioning as hurtful, felt sad and began to cry because her feelings were
hurt. This demonstrates that Rachael is a sentient being.
feelings and desires (p.3). Rachael, who is a replicant demonstrates sentience when she is
confronted by Deckard’s harsh and deliberate questioning about her memories. Deckard
presses Rachael by asking her if she is able to remember her past as a child, her mother,
etc. Rachael does not know she is a replicant herself and these questions made her
emotional and displayed her feelings. Her vulnerability was shown to Deckard when she
began to cry because she had no answers to Deckard’s questions. Rachael having the
ability to feel pain and to cry implies that she was having a subjective experience. She
perceived his questioning as hurtful, felt sad and began to cry because her feelings were
hurt. This demonstrates that Rachael is a sentient being.
3) Epistemology is analyzed throughout the film in terms of replicant testing and
Deckard’s identity. In our course pack, epistemology is defined as the study of knowledge,
what is fact and what are beliefs (Matrix film guide). Nearing the end of the film, as
Deckard is on his way home, Gaff turns to him and says (about Rachael) “It’s too bad
she won’t live but then again, who does”. This statement was very broad and open for
interpretation. The replicants were created to serve a purpose for the humans but even
Tyrell himself (the man who invented replicants) said they were not designed to last. We
all search for a way to become immortal but what is the true extent about our knowledge
on existence. Additionally, after Rachael completed the replicant test, she asked Deckard
if he had ever taken it himself and he never responded. This scene can be tied to the
scene at the end of the film. Deckard finds the origami in the shape of a unicorn that
was sacred to his dreams, Deckard’s vulnerability is vaguely demonstrated as he questions
whether he is human or replicant. At this moment, the viewers see Deckard reflect on the
knowledge he has, is there a possibility that he is not human?
Deckard’s identity. In our course pack, epistemology is defined as the study of knowledge,
what is fact and what are beliefs (Matrix film guide). Nearing the end of the film, as
Deckard is on his way home, Gaff turns to him and says (about Rachael) “It’s too bad
she won’t live but then again, who does”. This statement was very broad and open for
interpretation. The replicants were created to serve a purpose for the humans but even
Tyrell himself (the man who invented replicants) said they were not designed to last. We
all search for a way to become immortal but what is the true extent about our knowledge
on existence. Additionally, after Rachael completed the replicant test, she asked Deckard
if he had ever taken it himself and he never responded. This scene can be tied to the
scene at the end of the film. Deckard finds the origami in the shape of a unicorn that
was sacred to his dreams, Deckard’s vulnerability is vaguely demonstrated as he questions
whether he is human or replicant. At this moment, the viewers see Deckard reflect on the
knowledge he has, is there a possibility that he is not human?
Questions
- Are we playing God when creating sophisticated AI robots? And if so is it morally
wrong to have them purposefully built to perform tasks for us? - Deckard clearly has feelings for Rachel, and she for him, are these feelings to be considered as real as they would be for a human couple? Should they be allowed to be wed in the eyes of the state? Is it morally wrong to deny them these privileges?
- If people wanted to leave Earth, but only those who were rich or passed a physical test could
leave, why do you think it is that replicants are not allowed on Earth?
Elaboration on Themes
This article, published on Phys.org and written by Molly Callahan, asks the question should
robots have rights? In the article she speaks to, Northeastern professor, Woodrow Hartzog, a
robotics and automated technologies researcher, about the issue. Hartzog brings up
interesting moral questions about his field of work and how anthropomorphizing might not be
such a good idea.
robots have rights? In the article she speaks to, Northeastern professor, Woodrow Hartzog, a
robotics and automated technologies researcher, about the issue. Hartzog brings up
interesting moral questions about his field of work and how anthropomorphizing might not be
such a good idea.
- https://www.wired.co.uk/article/elon-musk-artificial-intelligence-scaremongering
This article, published by Wired and written by Toby Walsh, is a response to Elon Musk,
singularity, will mark the end for mankind. The article is written by a professor of AI, at the University
of New South Wales, an expert on the topic. He says that AI singularities today, like Amazon,
Facebook and Google’s algorithms are not the best. But that they do not need to be shut down, rather
they need to be regulated and worked on. To offer more choice for consumers and less misdirection;
he uses the 2016 US elections and the Facebook scandal as an example of this.
Works Cited
Callahan, Molly. “Should Robots Have Rights?” Phys.org - News and Articles on Science
and Technology, Phys.org, 8 Dec. 2017, phys.org/news/2017-12-robots-rights.html.
Walsh, Toby. “Elon Musk Is Wrong. The AI Singularity Won't Kill Us All.” WIRED,
WIRED UK, 19 Sept. 2017,
The Main theme of the differences of man and machine starts on the interaction on a social and emotional level. As we have learned in class, the robots are classified with the theory of the uncanny valley, where robots may look identical to humans, but emotionally do not act the same and at that point they would be in the trench of the valley on the way to the other side which would make them both emotionally and physically identical to humans. Much like in A.I. the machines throughout the movie start to develop emotions which I find very interesting that in the span of almost 2 decades, directors and writers still believe that the possible foreseeable future is one where robots are a part of our population and that they will develop emotion to make them even closer to humans.
ReplyDeleteA)If people wanted to leave Earth, but only those who were rich or passed a physical test could leave, why do you think it is that replicants are not allowed on Earth?
ReplyDeleteI think that replicants are not allowed on earth because of the law that is put in place. The law is that replicants are forbidden to exist on earth. In the movie replicants are not considered humans they are seen as robots which they call “replicants”. Even though they have human features they have some differences. Replicants have superior strength, speed, agility, resilience, and intelligences. Humans have really memories that have been created over time. Replicants who are constructed by a scientist have an installation of implanted memories. Replicants also only live for 4 years and humans can live many years.
- Julia Chadi