Blade Runner review

I'm not sure which is more remarkable about seeing a movie again twenty six years after a first viewing, how much you remember, or how much you forget. Anyway, here's a few random impressions.

First off, the overall pacing of the movie seemed much slower than i recall. Joe thought the loss of the narration might have contributed to that feel. Possible, but i think we've all gotten used to the condensed story telling techniques perfected in commercials and TV dramas and music videos in the intervening years. Hard to consider that MTV, for example, was in its infancy while Blade Runner was being made.

I was very conscious of the camera angles and framing of almost every scene, especially the closeups. Usually that's not a good thing. I think directors and cinematographers should make their artistic choices appear unobtrusive. Camera angles shouldn't call attention to themselves. But the only time it bothered me, i think, was when Deckard kills Zhora in slow motion through about a dozen plate glass windows. That was a little too show-off.

J. F. Sebastian was a lot creepier in my memory. This time, i just totally felt sorry for him.

Deckard's job would have been a whole lot easier with a cell phone, no? How did almost everyone making movies of the future get that so wrong? For a long time, nothing said "the future" like a pay videophone.

Vangelis' score was sensational. I wonder if any changes were made to the mix? Perhaps that also accounts for the perception of slower pacing?

It's amazing how our notions of physical perfection have changed. I don't think Rutger Hauer's physique would cut it today. Plus, he's hardly even in the first half of the movie. Were any scenes moved around?

Best part of the night though? After the movie, at Bull McCabe's for a bite, a drink, and some discussion. We had finished our drinks, when Zach came by with another round, and said they were courtesy of someone called Blazer Manpurse.

He is risen.