Special Effects in Blade Runner
Blade Runner enhanced it's overall mood and atmosphere through it's production effects, while
setting up the futuristic reality that Ridley Scott and William Gibson envisioned.
In most movies production effects include lighting, sound, sets, and special effects, so
in order to analyze the effects in Blade Runner we are going to rate the qualities of the
above qualities.
- First, the sound technicians on this movie enhanced the movie more than the audience
consciously knows. Most critics believe that this is a good trait for a movie to have
because it creates a feeling in the audience wothout the audience knowing about it. For
example, the suspense created in the final chase of Harrison
Ford by Rutger Hauer is greatly heightened by the redundant sounds of Hauer's cries combined
the exagerrated sounds of footsteps, broken glass, and rain.
Good example of sound
- Also, the extremes to which the lighting was used were a powerful force in the general
atmosphere of the movie. Most of the picture was shot with very low light and shadows
creating a very dismal mood, but there were several instances where the lighting was
used to initiate or suggest an action. In the scene in the Tyrell corporation the natural
light is emphasized, possibly alluding to the divinity of Dr. Tyrell or simply his elevation
over the rest of society.
Then in the Bradbury apartments there are constant spotlight
movements and light fluctuations showing the invasion of technology and corporate culture
into the everyday lives of the people. Also the Bradbury lighting is used to hide Hauer's character
in the shadows as he tries to fix his injured hand. The quality of the lighting is
far above many other science fiction movies because it is not only used to create mood
and atmosphere, but also symbolism and foreshadowing.
- The sets and the special effects in the movie are obviously used to support Ridley
Scott and William Gibson's vision of the future. First, in the opening sequence the large fires shooting
in the sky help reinforce the dismal outlook of the future as protrayed in Gibson's story.
Then the panoramic view of the Tyrell corporation shows how the creators poignantly view
the enormous status of corporate culture.
Also, the use of flying police cars, interactive
computers, and blimp sized advertisements reinforce all the technological and more culture
dilemas that are meant to be portrayed. If these special effects were not created with
such detail and enormity then the whole portrayal of the future would be lost. Thus
showing that the level to which Blade Runner accomplishes it's special effects is far
greater than many science fiction movies.