History Main / Bladerunner

*** In the workprint, creepy dissonant noise music illustrates that Deckard is vulnerable and Rachael could easily kill him at that point if she decided it was her best channce at survival and freedom.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome: Most of the {{Vangelis}} composed soundtrack is pure awesome, showing an excellent example of how to correctly use electronica music intelligently. Above all of these, however, is the main theme of the movie, played over the ending credits.

* OrwellianRetcon: Originally, Scott, Ford, and the writers agreed that Deckard was human. When Scott made the Director's Cut in 1992, he had [[ShrugOfGod changed his mind]], and he inserted a [[DreamSequence two-second-long clip of a unicorn]] to somehow change Deckard's nature in the movie. Fortunately, the movie still makes more sense if you believe that Deckard is human, mainly because Scott's explanation for how the unicorn actually works [[VoodooShark makes no sense at all]]. (Um, Gaff knows about Deckard's unicorn dreams because ''Gaff, the experienced but crippled veteran bladerunner, is himself the model for Deckard's fake memories?'' [[ViewersAreGeniuses Not rocket science]].

** TooGoodToLast: Unfortunately, the game flopped. (Which could be a result of [[ViewersAreMorons idiocy]])

* RiddleForTheAges: Philip K. Dick's characters don't always know what's real and what's not real. There's not supposed to be a "right answer." Filmmakers are most faithful to the source material when they leave the ambiguities in, whether intentionally or not. Such a pity Ridley Scott chose to disregard this advice.

* RuinedForever: If you prefer the film [[spoiler: with Deckard as human]]. You can't ''un-know'' that the director says you're totally wrong, and you can't even ''buy a copy of the film'' without the added scene where he rubs your face in it (unless you're willing to put up with the voice-over), or even express your opinion without provoking InternetBackdraft. Thank you ''so much'', Ridley.

* {{Wangst}}: it's understated in the dialogue, but undertones of it are everywhere

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: An earlier draft of the script, called "Dangerous Days" would have been a far more action-packed affair, including a famous unused scene where Deckard shot a seemingly innocuous man, then took his skull apart to reveal mechanical componenets. For those who find this film boring, it's a huge what-if.

* RuinedForever: If you prefer the film [[spoiler: with Deckard as human]]. You can't ''un-know'' that the director says you're totally wrong, and you can't even ''buy a copy of the film'' without the added scene where he rubs your face in it, or even express your opinion without provoking InternetBackdraft. Thank you ''so much'', Ridley.
** Except that it's very ambigious and Ridley has never given a straight answer. Oh and the old theatrical cut with th eold ending was included in the DVD set released in 2007, so yes you can.

*** Some people have find the idea that sterotypical [[FarEast East Asia]] takes over the world and it becomes [[CrapsackWorld crapsack]] a tad uncomfortable.

*** Some people have found the idea that a sterotypical [[FarEast East Asia]] takes over the world and it becomes[[CrapsackWorld crapsack]] a tad uncomfortable.

** Reportedly, this wasn't intended to appear that way, but Harrison Ford's and Sean Young's off-camera antagonism
ended up giving it a much different spin.
*** Some people have found the idea that a sterotypical [[FarEast East Asia]] takes over the world and it becomes [[CrapsackWorld crapsack]] a tad uncomfortable.

** Reportedly, this wasn't intended to appear that way, but Harrison Ford's and Sean Young's off-camera antagonism ended up giving it a much different spin.

** Also, no love for Zhora, the awesome-hot snake-carrying dancer? For shame!

* InternetBackdraft: The easiest way to melt the tubes is to go anywhere and say 'Deckard is/is not a replicant', rr "I didn't think the narration was that bad"

* MandatoryUnretirement: At the beginning of the movie, Deckard is no longer a Blade Runner, but is reluctantly recruited back. [[RiddleForTheAges Or is he?]] (Yes, you're getting it now.)

* RiddleForTheAges: Philip K. Dick's characters don't always know what's real and what's not real. There's not supposed to be a "right answer." Filmmakers are most faithful to the source material when they leave the ambiguities in, whether intentionally or not.

* AmbiguouslyHuman: The Replicants. Maybe That Other Guy. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* DeathOfTheAuthor: The only refuge for those that think that Deckard isn't a replicant. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* GainaxEnding: In the director's cut. Although there's a general, and movie-changing, implication, the details are unclear, at best. What was up with that [[spoiler:unicorn]]? [[hottip:* :Don't try to explain it here, people -- take it to the Wild Mass Guessing page instead. It's all open to interpretation anyway.]] ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* HeyItsThatGuy: [[BattlestarGalactica Edward James Olmos]] in the role that made him famous (well, sort of) as Gaff. He only appears about three times, but he's got the [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes best outfit in the movie]] and gets one of its last, and best, lines. If [[spoiler:Deckard is a replicant himself]], Gaff is presumably his human handler and the model for some of his fake memories. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* InternetBackdraft: The easiest way to melt the tubes is to go anywhere and say 'Deckard is/is not a replicant'. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])
** Or "I didn't think the narration was that bad"

* OrwellianRetcon: Originally, Scott, Ford, and the writers agreed that Deckard was human. When Scott made the Director's Cut in 1992, he had [[ShrugOfGod changed his mind]], and he inserted a [[DreamSequence two-second-long clip of a unicorn]] to somehow change Deckard's nature in the movie. Fortunately, the movie still makes more sense if you believe that Deckard is human, mainly because Scott's explanation for how the unicorn actually works [[VoodooShark makes no sense at all]]. (Um, Gaff knows about Deckard's unicorn dreams because ''Gaff, the experienced but crippled veteran bladerunner, is himself the model for Deckard's fake memories?'' [[ViewersAreGeniuses Not rocket science]]. Regardless, [[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* RuinedForever: If you prefer the film [[spoiler: with Deckard as human]]. You can't ''un-know'' that the director says you're totally wrong, and you can't even ''buy a copy of the film'' without the added scene where he rubs your face in it, or even express your opinion without provoking InternetBackdraft. Thank you ''so much'', Ridley...
** ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

** Depending on the version, Deckard is hinted to various degrees to be a replicant with false memories himself, something that was overtly teased in the book. The film's director Ridley Scott says he is, while Harrison Ford and both of the film's writers say he is not. That particular argument is [[InternetBackdraft a good way to make enemies]] in the fandom. It's ''that'' divisive. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[RiddleForTheAges There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* RiddleForTheAges: Philip K. Dick's characters don't always know what's real and what's not real. There's not supposed to be a "right answer." Filmmakers are most faithful to the source material when they leave the ambiguities in, whether intentionally or not.* RidiculousFutureInflation: Deckard has to pay a fairly infuriating price for a video phone call.

* AmbiguouslyHuman: The Replicants. Maybe That Other Guy. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* DeathOfTheAuthor: The only refuge for those that think that Deckard isn't a replicant. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* FlipFlopOfGod: Is Deckard a replicant? ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* GainaxEnding: In the director's cut. Although there's a general, and movie-changing, implication, the details are unclear, at best. What was up with that [[spoiler:unicorn]]? [[hottip:* :Don't try to explain it here, people -- take it to the Wild Mass Guessing page instead. It's all open to interpretation anyway.]] ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* HeyItsThatGuy: [[BattlestarGalactica Edward James Olmos]] in the role that made him famous (well, sort of) as Gaff. He only appears about three times, but he's got the [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes best outfit in the movie]] and gets one of its last, and best, lines. If [[spoiler:Deckard is a replicant himself]], Gaff is presumably his human handler and the model for some of his fake memories. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* InternetBackdraft: The easiest way to melt the tubes is to go anywhere and say 'Deckard is/is not a replicant'. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* MandatoryUnretirement: At the beginning of the movie, Deckard is no longer a Blade Runner, but is reluctantly recruited back. [[OrIsIt Or is he?]] (Yes, you're getting it now.)

* OrIsIt: Philip K. Dick's characters don't always know what's real and what's not real. There's not supposed to be a "right answer." Filmmakers are most faithful to the source material when they leave the ambiguities in, whether intentionally or not.
* OrwellianRetcon: Originally, Scott, Ford, and the writers agreed that Deckard was human. When Scott made the Director's Cut in 1992, he had [[ShrugOfGod changed his mind]], and he inserted a [[DreamSequence two-second-long clip of a unicorn]] to somehow change Deckard's nature in the movie. Fortunately, the movie still makes more sense if you believe that Deckard is human, mainly because Scott's explanation for how the unicorn actually works [[VoodooShark makes no sense at all]]. (Um, Gaff knows about Deckard's unicorn dreams because ''Gaff, the experienced but crippled veteran bladerunner, is himself the model for Deckard's fake memories?'' [[ViewersAreGeniuses Not rocket science]]. Regardless, [[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* RidiculousFutureInflation: Deckard has to pay a fairly infuriating price for a video phone call.

** ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

** Depending on the version, Deckard is hinted to various degrees to be a replicant with false memories himself, something that was overtly teased in the book. The film's director Ridley Scott says he is, while Harrison Ford and both of the film's writers say he is not. That particular argument is [[InternetBackdraft a good way to make enemies]] in the fandom. It's ''that'' divisive. ([[FanDumb Repeat after me]]: [[OrIsIt There doesn't have to be a "right answer."]])

* AmbiguouslyHuman: The Replicants.

* DeathOfTheAuthor: The only refuge for those that think that Deckard isn't a replicant.

* FlipFlopOfGod: Is Deckard a replicant?

* GainaxEnding: In the director's cut. Although there's a general, and movie-changing, implication, the details are unclear, at best. What was up with that [[spoiler:unicorn]]? [[hottip:*:Don't try to explain it here, people -- take it to the Wild Mass Guessing page instead. It's all open to interpretation anyway.]]

* HeyItsThatGuy: [[BattlestarGalactica Edward James Olmos]] in the role that made him famous (well, sort of) as Gaff. He only appears about three times, but he's got the [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes best outfit in the movie]] and gets one of its last, and best, lines.

* InternetBackdraft: The easiest way to melt the tubes is to go anywhere and say 'Deckard is/is not a replicant'.

* MandatoryUnretirement: At the beginning of the movie, Deckard is no longer a Blade Runner, but is reluctantly recruited back. [[OrIsIt Or is he?]]

* OrwellianRetcon: Originally, Scott, Ford, and the writers agreed that Deckard was human. When Scott made the Director's Cut in 1992, he had [[ShrugOfGod changed his mind]], and he inserted a [[DreamSequence two-second-long clip of a unicorn]] to somehow change Deckard's nature in the movie. Fortunately, the movie still makes more sense if you believe that Deckard is human, mainly because Scott's explanation for how the unicorn actually works [[VoodooShark makes no sense at all]].

* ProductPlacement: The Dreaded Blade Runner Curse struck many of the brands featured in the movie. Atari was hammered by TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983 and eventually died. Pan-Am is long extinct. The Coca-Cola Company launched New Coke shortly after the movie was released, but managed to survive anyway. RCA was bought out and dismantled. Bell was broken up for monopolistic practices. Budweiser seemed to dodge the Curse, though.

* SlapSlapKiss: Rachael and Deckard don't actually hit each other, but Deckard is very rough and dominating with her before they fall into each others' arms.

** Depending on the version, Deckard is hinted to various degrees to be a replicant with false memories himself, something that was overtly teased in the book. The film's director Ridley Scott says he is, while Harrison Ford and both of the film's writers say he is not. That particular argument is [[InternetBackdraft a good way to make enemies]] in the fandom. It's ''that'' divisive.

* UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain: The final showdown. Compare the grimy, grizzled, blood-smeared form of Deckard to the nearly naked, nearly flawless body of Roy Batty. May or may not be an inversion and/or subversion depending on who you regard to be the hero and villain of the piece.
* UnfortunateImplications: The "[[RapeIsLove love scene]]" between Rachael and Deckard has overtones of being, well, less than consensual which tends to provoke [[{{Understatement}} rather strong]] [[{{Squick}} negative reactions]] in some viewers.

* YoungerThanTheyLook: Sebastian has an ageing disease, making him look over 50 when he's in fact in his 29s. Replicants are never any older than 4 by design.

* OlderThanTheyThink: The film heavily draws on the silent film ''{{Metropolis}}'' and classic FilmNoir for inspiration; many viewers see the references here first before they see the sources from which it was drawn.
** Actually Ridley Scott said he had never seen Metropolis and that most of the futurisitc noir look comes from The Long Tomorrow originally run in Metal Hurlant(the french Heavy Metal comic).

** Rachel: Spiders

* EvilCounterpart: Not "evil", exactly, but Roy/Pris to Deckard/Rachel.

* RidiculouslyHumanRobots: The Replicants are almost perfect in resemblance to regular Humans, to the point where sometimes only a psychological Voight-Kampff test can detect them as they are developing their own emotions. Rachel takes this trope even further, she's a Replicant who thinks she is Human. When Deckard tests the machine on Rachel, it takes over 100 questions for him to determine she is a Replicant (it only takes 20 or 30 normally). And that's not even getting into the idea [[spoiler: that Deckard may be a Replicant]].

* TanksForTheMemories: Rachel is given a copy of the memories of Tyrell's niece.

* UnfortunateImplications: The "[[RapeIsLove love scene]]" between Rachel and Deckard has overtones of being, well, less than consensual which tends to provoke [[{{Understatement}} rather strong]] [[{{Squick}} negative reactions]] in some viewers.

* BadassLongcoat: Deckard and Batty, and how!