Preview

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner - Ananalysis Essay Example

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2697 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ridley Scott's Blade Runner - Ananalysis Essay Example
Introduction
In the science of studying media and communication, there are many different ways of approaching the subject in which you are going to analyse. That is to analyse advertisements, texts, TV-series, films etc. and other media. My task for this assignment is to give an analysis of a film of my choice. A film is a quite complex medium to analyse; thus it is important to have analysis "tools" or some criteria to follow. In my analysis I am asked to consider the use and resolution of binary opposition and through analysis of narrative structure. In my assignment I am going to consider how the couple is represented, and how the narrative structure and binary oppositions have influence on the plot of the story. Bladerunner is a dark, futuristic science fiction movie, which has been described as a hybrid of science fiction, film noir, detective thriller, bounty-hunter western and love story. Thus, it is a complex film, and there are many possibilities to consider as they relate to the subject matter of science and society, due largely to the plot diversity. I am of the opinion that the most important plot is that androids or replicants vs humans. Deckard's dramatic need in BR is to hunt and kill four "nexus 6" replicants that are considered dangerous to humans. Another plot is the romance between Deckard, human, and Rachel, replicant. Further, film analysts and Blade Runner fanatics frequently ask the question as to whether Deckard himself is a replicant; his glowing eyes, and his fascination for photos are some of the hints which suggest that he is, as photos were a way for replicants to tie themselves to their non-existent past.

The reason why this film is such a "hybrid" is that the elements of the science fiction lies clearly in the visual aspect of the film. The notions Film noir and detective thriller are due to the fact that Deckard is sort of a classical 50's detective that is put into the 21st century. He has got a drinking problem and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Roy Batty and Deckard are both able to show us what it means to be human. To what extent do you agree?…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The movie, “Blade Runner”, crucially defaces the concept of the character Rick Deckard in the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep”. The novel depicts Rick as a person with definitive morals, motives, and intentions as a bounty hunter. In the novel, Rick struggles to be the most sufficient and successful bounty hunter on earth, in order to earn money and make better life for him self. The movie defaces this concept, by depicting Rick as miserable cop who only does his job because he is forced to. Throughout the novel, Rick’s enthusiasm is drained when he comes to a certain realization. He then aims for a higher meaning in life by trying to understand certain philosophies, as well as certain aspects of religion and humanity. In the novel, Rick has a wife, but decides to have mechanical romance with the android Rachel anyway. The novel depicts Rachel as a conniving android who manipulates Rick. The movie depicts Rachel as an empathetic android whom is implanted with false memories. The movie also leaves out many significant ethics that were presented in the novel. In the book, the concept of mercerism is highly exemplified and instilled in the society’s culture. In the movie this concept does not exist, leaving out an entire theme applied in the novel. The movie, also, does not emphasize the prominence of owning a real animal. The film merely demonstrates that fake animals do exist, but shows no significance otherwise. The most significant theme that was non-existent in the movie was the concept of war and human extinction. The novel depicts the world as a place that was war ridden and had just suffered a major catastrophe. The film shows the world as a place that has significantly advanced technology. The novel also presents the concept of a mood dialer, which is also non-existent in the film. The novel, also, presents the concept of an empathy box as a significant theme in…

    • 1185 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The contexts of Frankenstein and Blade Runner affect many ways in which they represent their ideas and on the most basic level, a key difference would be their medium of production. Both creators chose to use the most popular medium of their time; for Shelley that was a novel, for Scott, a film. At some level, this choice also reflects some aspects of their stories. In Shelley’s case, the novel places a value on literature, which is shown in the monster’s discovery of the novels and his own valuation of language, which he considers “a godlike science”. In contrast, Scott clearly felt film was the best medium to…

    • 1815 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Though composed at different times, the themes portrayed in both Frankenstein and Blade Runner are evidently influenced by their own respective contexts – the early 19th century and late 20th century. These texts put forward an exploration of humanity and morality, the value of nature as well as individualism as these themes and values are perceived in each context.…

    • 778 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Nature and its interaction with human emotions are central concerns for both “Frankenstein” and “Blade Runner”. Romantics’ nature is depicted as a healing power and a source of subject and image; in blade runner, the natural worlds pleasing qualities are seen to be abused, e.g. of this is in the opening, where a dark, decayed and dystopian Neo noir world is shown. The detrimental consequences due to carelessness when dealing with the natural world, resulted in the disappearance of its beauty which was an idea constantly feared and warned of by Shelley in Frankenstein.…

    • 3115 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    The existential question ‘What is it to be human?” despite context, continues to be relevant to society. In “Frankenstein” this is explored through Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. Written during the latter part of the Romantic period, Shelley is commenting on and reacting against the rational, scientific paradigms of the Enlightenment, placing emphasis on the Romantic traits Individualism, Imagination and Nature. Victor Frankenstein is very much endowed as the Gothic protagonist, being portrayed as a cold and distant character that is unquestionably a genius and dependent on natural sciences. In “Bladerunner” the creator, Tyrell, is portrayed in a similar fashion. The 1980s gave rise to capitalism and consumerism and thus the film lends itself to such qualities. Tyrell is also a detached character who is more concerned with creation than the consequences as seen in his statement “commerce is our goal here at Tyrell. ‘More human than human is our motto”. Both creators are highly revered which can be seen in the opening power shot of Tyrell’s ziggurat, pyramid shaped building towering over Earth and in Victor’s relationship with his family and Walton. These characters represent the scientific, rational aspects that both composers were reacting against, in turn providing a warning to society about the consequences of such thing. The opening prologue of “Bladerunner” displays certain hostility towards the Replicants. The words scroll across the black screen in an almost clinical way stating “Blade runner units had orders to shoot to kill…This was not called an execution.…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. The Tyrell Corporation, business place of Eldon Tyrell, the divine scientific “genius” behind the creation of the replicants, occupies a space central to Blade Runner’s narrative. From the inception of the film, we see an extreme long shot overlooking the futuristic cityscape of Los Angeles which is defined by massive techno towers and near eternal twilight, interrupted only by constant violent lightning strikes and fiery explosions resulting in stunning plumes of flame. Within this picturesque scenery, the camera visually guides us towards the grandiose Mayan style pyramid structures that are the headquarters of the Tyrell Corporation.…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In “Blade Runner” Tyrell Corporation pride itself on the fact they produce “replicants more human than human.” Although the very reasoning for their creation was so they could exploit them as slaves, they were seen as commodities “nothing more.” In a sense they metaphorically represent modern day slaves in a suppressed society. As the film progresses we become aware that the replicants are more then genetically modified androids as we are exposed to their ability to love, empathise and share in a relationship. For example after Pris is “retired” we sympathise with Roy as he grieves for the one he loves, this being the very essence of humanity. The significance of the duality between characters Roy and Deckard, science verse nature is captured in the final scene when Roy releases a dove, which symbolises peace and ultimately wholeness. This is further enhanced by the Mise-en-scenes to and from each character in which we observe Deckard realise the significance of…

    • 1488 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Most often, it is the genre of a film that initially attracts the audience. Genre classifies all types of media into identifiable categories, according to their shared elements and with the categorisation of its genre, comes certain expectations. Casino Royale presents the audience with an action, adventure and thriller and therefore crosses the boundaries of several genres. By knowing the genre of Casino Royale, the public can assume to what extent they may enjoy the film. Casino Royale appears to be aimed at both males and females as it includes various elements of action and romance. It is also clear that the film would be specifically for teenagers upwards as there are phases in the film which would be difficult for anyone younger to appreciate.…

    • 3110 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Blade Runner is a 1982 American neo-noir dystopian science fiction film which directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the 1968 novel by Philip K. Dick “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”. The film sets in 2019 Loa Angeles, the powerful Terry corporation manufactures genetically engineered robots which are called the Replicants, they could not be distinguished from normal adult human with the naked eye. However, the use of replicants on earth is forbidden and they can only be used on “off world colonies” for dangerous and menial work. The replicants who disobeyed and return to earth are hunted and eventually “retired” (killed) by the special polices as known as “Blade Runners”. The main plot follows a small group of the replicants that recently…

    • 151 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bladerunner Analysis Essay

    • 1826 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Gets lighter the higher you go to tyrell (shows degradation of the environment) which assosiated with the degradation of humanity (metaphore)…

    • 1826 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The film Blade Runner is based on the science fiction novel ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ written by Philip K. Dick (Abadzis). Blade Runner is set in the United States city of Los Angeles in the year 2019 where humans have discovered genetic engineering. Through this, they have found ways of manufacturing organic robots, which are replicates of humans. The manufacturing industries have grown to be the major industries all over the world. According to the film set, the human race has taken colony over other planets while the organic robots, which are called replicates, are created to work on those colony planets…

    • 838 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Blade Runner Essay

    • 1517 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Blade Runner was released right in the middle of the ‘Computer-Age.’ This was the period in which computers were at their peak in popularity, and were moving away from the industrial sector and more into people’s households. This technology clearly influenced they way in which Blade Runner was directed, due to the amount of technology used in the film. Some examples of this technology include voice identification, video calling, and the Voight-Kampff machine.…

    • 1517 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Documentary Film Analysis

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Among the four documentaries, I have chosen “F*ck You Buddy” in “The Power of Nightmares” and “Love and Power” in “All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace” to be the materials for me to analyze in this paper.…

    • 1221 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    For this essay I shall be analysing the screenplay Gladiator in terms of narrative structure. I will be discussing the theories such as Aristotle, beginning , middle and end, Campbell, the hero's journey and Christopher the writers journey. I will discuss how these apply to each of the acts within the screenplay and talk about the theme and back story being set up at the start of the screenplay.…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays