Blade Runner - What Makes Us Human? | Video Essay

In Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece, Blade Runner, the line between human and machine is blurred. Join us as we delve into the existential abyss of this science fiction landmark, unmasking the soul in a world where replicants yearn for more than what they're programmed.
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[@KajiCarson]

It's a mesmerizing film, continously rewarding and disturbing and strangely comforting. It's also one of the very few movies I feel like I'm watching for the first time every time I see it. And I've seen it many times. Also, it's just such a topical movie for our age. Thanks for this essay.

[@itsjustcinema]

I rewatched it for the first time in a while last month and it’s frightening how relevant it feels

[@asherwilson4848]

I'm reading "Do androids dream of electric sheep?" Which heavily influenced blade runner. I would highly recommend it if you liked blade runner.

[@TheJackal917]

I've read once that movie was almost ready when Scott joined the production, and that his input was minimal. Still, one of my most favorite movies of all time.

[@cmfrtblynmb02]

This is bs. The movie would not be what it is if not for Ridley. I don't know why people make up things like this. They have written a script but it was revised a lot and the movie needed Ridley's vision to be what it is. Watch Dangerous Days if you want to get an opinion on it.

[@ScramTek]

That’s not just incorrect, it’s almost laughably so. For example, Ridley Scott handpicked the artists, gave them copies of the first draft of the script (then called Dangerous Days) explaining the particular look he envisaged. From the various submissions, Ridley selected that which matched closest to his vision. He then hired the set designers/builders he believed could bring his vision to life and so on.. The Producer (Michael Deeley) is on record explaining that, unlike the delegation/separation roles on a typical movie production, Ridley not only oversaw the art direction but micromanaged it throughout the entire production. So important was the look & feel of the movie to Ridley, that he was almost tyrannical in the level of control he maintained over that side of the production. Even down to the use & look of the particular style of ducting/piping on the outsides of buildings and the steam & smoke that enveloped the environment. As we now know, Cyberpunk as a genre itself was defined visually by Ridley’s interpretation of Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, John Brunner, J.G. Ballard and many other authors/visionaries work.

[@EriYT]

While I enjoy the movie, I have to say that the book is much better at blurring the lines. The bounty hunters and police are cold and unfeeling in their search to find the androids, and the androids seem more human by routinely displaying empathy and compassion.

[@cmfrtblynmb02]

I am afraid this is one of the cases where movie is much better than the book and I am saying this as someone who is a big fan of Philip K Dick. Even the author himself was shown some parts of the movie that was completed before he passed away and he was mesmerized.

[@NTR_XD]

Glad you're back, love your content as always ❤

[@itsjustcinema]

Thank you! Gonna aim to do monthly video essays, I’m doing shorts/reels over on TikTok and Instagram a couple times a week if you want to follow me over there!

[@Grumppant]

I’m so glad you’re back!

[@viktormuerte]

I re-watched Blade Runner recently (probably for the 15th or so time overall). It's still brilliant, even viewing it in light of current technology. I noticed though that a lot of younger people don't get the film, maybe based on the assumption that it's a sci-fi action flick. But it isn't really..it's a philosophical essay. This is why Blade Runner 2049 left me feeling flat: it didn't have the same philosophical undertones like the original but was a standard sci-fi adventure film.

[@cmfrtblynmb02]

2049 was a nice sequel but didn't have the depth and originality of the first movie. Also it had a weird "I am sacrificing myself for that father daughter" resolution which was extremely unsatisfying. THe movie was neutered for some reason

[@AgentHomer]

Our „anthropocentric“ notion of what it means to be human? Gee and here I am, a smooth brain who thought that humanity was central to the question of what a human is.

[@clintwestwood1895]

very cool essay bro

[@probjoe2215]

YOURE BACK

[@justineleroux6984]

a very poetic essay, I would say : as poetic as the movie can be, it's a continuity of vibe

[@itsjustcinema]

Thank you so much!

[@Chessmate1234]

Make a vedio essay about "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and across the spider verse". It's my favourite movie.☺️☺️

[@ThomasMeriton-mz1jk]

Great recommendation, what is the background song for this short?

[@savageh3nry622]

Great channel

[@gamingdudedonal3312]

I have no idea what blade runner is but i think if your parents are human then you are

[@bcaching1442]

profound insight, thx

[@Vladivostok29]

Bro dis vid brings back mad memories for me.. my pops used to hold me down and blow my bacc out while I would watch this video every night. Miss you pops!

[@itsjustcinema]

Sorry to hear that

[@charger23us]

This is a joke right

[@Vladivostok29]

@@charger23us well did you laugh?