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as a Science Fiction Movie

By: Stacey Hellewell

There are many things that can help to determine the genre of a movie and other forms of media. Science Fiction movies are no different. Here we are looking at the criteria that must be met in order to be a "good" science fiction movie. More specifically, we are looking at the movie Bladerunner and whether or not it falls within the bounds of these criteria.

Let's begin by establishing what this "criteria" is:

  • realistic use of technology

  • has a good plot

  • has character development that allow for an pleasurable experience

    • But merely establishing this criteria is not enough. There must be some effort at justifying and reasoning the "things" that are used to determine quality.

    First, let us look at the use of technology in science fiction movies. This is highly essential. When one thinks of such a genre, they think of advanced technology and its uses. It is important, however, to keep in mind that it does not solely have to be "advanced" technology BUT the advanced uses of the technology that we have now and are already familiar with.

    In Bladerunner there was an a good use of technology:

  • the computer device that they used to determine if a person was a replicant or not

    With the use of this machine, the bladerunners could readily determine whether or not someone was a replicant by watching the person's eyes and the pupil reflexes, etc.

  • the telephone -- the AT&T video phone

    These are unique in the aspect that you can see the person you are talking to, while you are talking to them. AT&T has them out now, but they are still highly advanced to what people know and use.

  • the "jet cars"

    These are high technology, but not entirely out of reach for the future. In fact, these do exist but they are rare because there is nothing to regulate them and they are far more expensive than most people can afford. However, the wave of the future in automobiles may be close than we expect.

  • the image enhancing computer

    These are far more advanced than most people can see in today's society. First, because they are voice activated and act upon voice commands. Secondly, because we do not have the capabilities to feed a VCR-like machine a photograph and enhance it without some thought and intense skill with computers.

    • These are the things that are more readily seen as "advanced" technology, but these are not the only ones. There are also:

  • the artificial foods and drinks

  • the genetic researches

    • Second, there is the use of plot. This is extremely important in the larger scope of the over all movie. Without the plot "flow" that catches the viewer, then there is a lack of flow to the over all movie. A plot cannot be shallow or lacking in progression or the viewer will get lost from point to point. They will begin to lose interest and find another focus to follow.

    In Bladerunner there is a bit of shallowness to the plot, making it seem to move along at a much slower pace than it is expected to.

    Other things to take note about the plot are:

  • it contains a "pea soup" of various things such as murders, confrontations between characters, romance, and "chase"

  • the flow of the story is slow -- gives the feeling that they spent too much time on the individual characters

  • leaves for an atmospheric movie -- the colors and the haziness of the scenes adds to this

  • gives sense of search for "self-identity" among the characters

    There is a desperate search among some of the characters to discover who they are. They know that they are "created" by someone BUT this is all. The movie seems to follow this search as it goes through the development of the characters. As each is developed the memories that they are given via someone else's past are revealed and yet, there is an over bearing sense that they are looking for more in themselves.

  • also, it doesn't end as is expected

    • Third, characters are probably the most important in developing the over all scheme of the movie. There has to be a steady and well thought out progression of the characters so that the viewer is not lost in the "mumble jumble" of these characters. If too much time is spent in forming characters and their personalities, it pulls away from the flow of the movie.

    In Bladerunner there was an extreme emphasis on characterization. There was a large range of characters as well, from the "created friends" of J.F. Sebastian, to the human characters, to the replicants. Each of the characters had their own individualistic qualities as well.

    As an over view of the characterization in Bladerunner, some generalities seem to be prevalent:

  • use of an oriental population

  • makes humans look good and the computers and replicants look the evil forces that are always present in society

  • characters seem to be withdrawn from society, its events, and other people

    • All stills and clips on this site were taken from:

  • the Bladerunner FAQ site

  • the Off-World Bladerunner page

  • and, the Bladerunner Online Magazine

    • If you have any comments on this site and the information covered here you can e-mail me at: stacky@mail.utexas.edu