Current Events > Blade Runner is better if you ignore the Replicant 'theory' (spoilers, I guess)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Deckard being a replicant adds little of value. There's some existential Metroid Dread that it gives the character and it adds to the dystopia, but overall it weakens other significant plot elements. And let's be real, the dystopia is fine without this extra element.

Two replicants falling in love isn't really an interesting plot unless they dig into the questions of what governs the actions and emotions of a sentient machine. Do they fall in love because of programming or non-intrinsic variables, etc. If the film had dug into that, maybe. But as is the barrier between replicant and human emotional connections is a much more fascinating topic to explore and delves much deeper into the question of humanity and the theme of eyes.

Roy's final act of mercy is also much less powerful if Deckard is just "one of them". An enemy. yes, but without say in the matter and kin none the less. There's little statement in that compared to knowing your time is up and using your final breath to save the life of your enemy and to entrust him with your memories, your essence in an effort to attain your sought after prolonged existence.

Also it just kind comes off as banal.

Only thing I remember about Blade Runner was the random ass unicorn

Hasn't the entire world collectively agreed that Deckard isn't a replicant regardless of what Ridley Scott thinks?

I've never actually seen Blade Runner >.>

s0nicfan posted...

Hasn't the entire world collectively agreed that Deckard isn't a replicant regardless of what Ridley Scott thinks?

TBH, I thought it was just accepted as gospel, but I've never really seen anything to suggest either way.

I never understood the theory. It doesn't add anything to the depth of the story, either. If it made the story better, I'd roll with it. I usually like fan theories and roll with them if they actually make the story better. This one doesn't.

Honestly though, I don't find Blade Runner's story that interesting. Interesting themes, yeah. Interesting elements. The characters outside of the protagonist are fun to watch and interesting, great scenes throughout, but the story as a whole doesn't do much for me. I love Blade Runner, but when I watch it I'm watching for those amazing environments, the best sets shot on film to date. The Vangelis score (rest in peace). And the Roy Batty character is very enjoyable.

A problem with the cyberpunk genre, is that it inherits a lot of drab and dourness from the noir stories it descended from. Which, I understand that has to be apart of it to an extent. But I really want to see a cyberpunk story that's more fun, high velocity, testosterone filled. Like, Blade Runner directed by Quentin Tarantino is the movie I want.

Yeah I have never liked the Deckard = replicant theory, really cheapens the story.

Ridley Scott consistently fails to understand his own creations.

Whether or not Deckard is a replicant, the important thing is that he could be. It's almost a meaningless question.

depends on what version you watched

armandro posted...

depends on what version you watched

It definitely does not.

DeadBankerDream posted...

It definitely does not.

one version added some unicorn dream shit which implies he is a reploid.

Yeah and even those versions are better if you ignore that.

The point isn't whether or not Deckard knows if he's a replicant. The point is that replicants and humans are really the same. Replicants are resigned to a cruel fate they don't deserve.

"Man a movie making me think is bad."

I don't agree that it adds nothing. It adds a whole layer of possibilities

Xavier_On_High posted...

Whether or not Deckard is a replicant, the important thing is that he could be.

Exactly

People way fucking overreact about this

I agree TC.

Also the Final Cut is probably my favorite movie.

One of the worst book to cinema adaptations there ever was.

Suolevram posted...

One of the worst book to cinema adaptations there ever was.

They are both GOATs in their own way

DarkRoast posted...

The point isn't whether or not Deckard knows if he's a replicant. The point is that replicants and humans are really the same. Replicants are resigned to a cruel fate they don't deserve.

But the way the movie emphasizes that replicants and humans are the same is by having a human replicant hunter interact with replicants in a way that emphasizes their humanity to him. If they're all replicants then there's nothing to compare and contrast against.

Yes, the movie could still technically push that message, but it would be like arguing that apples and oranges are all basically the same and demonstrating that using two apples. It kind of misses the point.

Suolevram posted...

One of the worst book to cinema adaptations there ever was.

Strikes me as unlikely.

CryoForceOmelet posted...

People way fucking overreact about this

There's no such thing as overreacting.

DeadBankerDream posted...

There's no such thing as overreacting.

You think if somebody shoots an employee in the drive-thru because they got the order wrong, that's not an overreaction?

No, it's a crime.

Isn't it confirmed he's a robot in the sequel?

DeadBankerDream posted...

No, it's a crime.

since when were you the type to make such lame shitposts

Zodd3224 posted...

They are both GOATs in their own way

To each their own. I read the book before I knew of the films and I fall into the category of "the book is better" crowd and have zero shame in saying that. I've read the book twice and listened to the audio version more times than I can remember so the movie(s) just leave so much to be desired for me to actually enjoy them.

Wish I never read the book then maybe I'd have a different opinion.

spanky1 posted...

Isn't it confirmed he's a robot in the sequel?

No, but even if it were, luckily the author is dead.

Honestly I think the plot twist of the second movie is a pretty clear homage to the theory, if nothing else

I like the theory, but as a theory sort of like the ending to American Psycho prior to the sequel ruining it.

I love 2049 more than the original.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/5/4/AAOe62AADQwO.jpg

I mean yeah, Sean Young is fucking hot, but she's no Ana de Armas's digital butt.

Gosling is a cutey in the movie

I just wanna hug him

Blade Runner is a 10/10 film, regardless

Suolevram posted...

To each their own. I read the book before I knew of the films and I fall into the category of "the book is better" crowd and have zero shame in saying that. I've read the book twice and listened to the audio version more times than I can remember so the movie(s) just leave so much to be desired for me to actually enjoy them.

Wish I never read the book then maybe I'd have a different opinion.

The movie is what made me go and discover Philip K Dick, so there is that for me as well.

I do prefer the book a lot, it's one of the few books I've ever read multiple times (along with Ubik and A Scanner Darkly), but the visuals and tone of the movie make up for some of the missing depth from the book for me.

DarkRoast posted...

Honestly I think the plot twist of the second movie is a pretty clear homage to the theory, if nothing else

Do you mean the plot twist of the designer lady being the child ?

Ruvan22 posted...

Do you mean the plot twist of the designer lady being the child ?

I think the whole implanting memories i

Come to think of it, did Ridley Scott explicitly say that Deckard was a Replicant, or did he say he thinks Deckard is one? Because those are different things. I'm too lazy to look up the interview.

Blade Runner 2048 is better and directly addresses that it doesn't really matter if Deckard is a replicant or not.

WarfireX posted...

Blade Runner 2048 is better and directly addresses that it doesn't really matter if Deckard is a replicant or not.

Well it's pretty pivotal to 2049 that he isn't because otherwise his daughter wouldn't the be half human-half replicant messiah.

JimmyFraska posted...

But I really want to see a cyberpunk story that's more fun, high velocity, testosterone filled.

Demolition Man

Questionmarktarius posted...

Demolition Man

Great movie. But, the environment doesn't really do it for me, which to me is a huge part of what makes the genre iconic. Blade Runner really set the standard and it has never been met since then. Demolition Man has a very "sunbathed LA but in the future" look. Which is fine for that movie. But I'd still want a city that looks more like Blade Runner, dark environment, imposing skyscrapers, filled with all kinds of different lights and textures, moisture and smoke, smog, fog.

A movie that gets close to fitting the bill of a "fun" cyberpunk movie is Streets of Fire. It captures that dark city look and tone, but the story is kind of hokey and fun, and doesn't take itself too seriously like other dystopian works. Only, it's not quite cyberpunk. It's more future of the 1950s, if I were to name its genre I'd call it gas-junkie rather than cyberpunk. But a movie with this style, just futurized a bit like Blade Runner is my vision. Also, it has my favorite movie trailer of all time, so well cut:

https://youtu.be/vVNXpQOHnAo

JimmyFraska posted...

Well it's pretty pivotal to 2049 that he isn't because otherwise his daughter wouldn't the be half human-half replicant messiah.

Yeah, I prefer the first movie and how we didn't know--made it way more intense. Also, Director's Cut is the best version as it cuts out the annoying inner-monologue of Deckard that's like a bad pulp detective novel

CryoForceOmelet posted...

You think if somebody shoots an employee in the drive-thru because they got the order wrong, that's not an overreaction?

How wrong did they get the order

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

DeadBankerDream posted...

I mean yeah, Sean Young is fucking hot, but she's no Ana de Armas's digital butt.

I was genuinely surprised when she was killed off, though I get it foreshadowed that Gosling's character wouldn't survive either..

JimmyFraska posted...

Which is fine for that movie. But I'd still want a city that looks more like Blade Runner, dark environment, imposing skyscrapers, filled with all kinds of different lights and textures, moisture and smoke, smog, fog.

um... Brazil, I guess?