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Blade Runner, I Think, Therefore I Am In Ridley Scott’s film, Blade Runner, the distinction between humans and machines, or replicants, is blurred. Throughout the film, those that appear human regard replicants as objects of possession. However, these replicants continue to question this image for the audience through their intellectual, emotional and almost spiritual sense of being. This is supported not only by the dialogue that they have with humans, but also by the camera angles, mise-en-scene and lighting that Scott uses to reinforce this obscure division. What are labeled as machines, replicants, are almost identical to humans with the exception that they lack empathy. When we think of typical man-made machines, we usually think of subservient items to help us with the mundane jobs of life. They are under our control and are here solely for our use. However, the machines that are created in Blade Runner are, as Tyrell says, ‘more human than human.’ They have almost all of the characteristics of humans. They have feelings and emotions, intelligence and understanding, and desire for the same things that humankind does. The film, however, starts out with a disassociation between replicants and humans. The opening text states that the replicants are not being ‘executed’ but ‘retired.’ It uses such language as ‘mutiny’ which in and of itself brings images of traitors and rebels. The word brings a negative opinion to the audience of replicants. But then again, the word brings images of an act of will, a free decision made by these so called machines. If they are only machines, then how can they decide to rebel against their creator? The question of whether replicants are just machines that can be thrown away when done with or are they truly ‘human’ is continually addressed in the film.
Approximate Word count = 1108
Approximate Pages = 4.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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