Analysis of Bladerunner

Introduction

In the science of studying media and communication, there are many different ways of approaching the subject in which you are going to analyse. That is to analyse advertisements, texts, TV-series, films etc. and other media. My task for this assignment is to give an analysis of a film of my choice. A film is a quite complex medium to analyse; thus it is important to have analysis "tools" or some criteria to follow. In my analysis I am asked to consider the use and resolution of binary opposition and through analysis of narrative structure. In my assignment I am going to consider how the couple is represented, and how the narrative structure and binary oppositions have influence on the plot of the story.

Bladerunner is a dark, futuristic science fiction movie, which has been described as a hybrid of science fiction, film noir, detective thriller, bounty-hunter western and love story. Thus, it is a complex film, and there are many possibilities to consider as they relate to the subject matter of science and society, due largely to the plot diversity. I am of the opinion that the most important plot is that androids or replicants vs humans. Deckard’s dramatic need in BR is to hunt and kill four "nexus 6" replicants that are considered dangerous to humans. Another plot is the romance between Deckard, human, and Rachel, replicant. Further, film analysts and Blade Runner fanatics frequently ask the question as to whether Deckard himself is a replicant; his glowing eyes, and his fascination for photos are some of the hints which suggest that he is, as photos were a way for replicants to tie themselves to their non-existent past.

The reason why this film is such a "hybrid" is that the elements of the science fiction lies clearly in the visual aspect of the film. The notions Film noir and detective thriller are due to the fact that Deckard is sort of a classical 50’s detective that is put into the 21st century. He has got a drinking problem and his wife has left him. Other typical Film noir effects is the voiceover and also the presence of the "femme fatale" Rachel. We can also see that the film uses what is the central theme of traditional western movies, and the conflict between civilised order and the lawless frontier. Finally, there is the love-story between Deckard and Rachel....

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- O’Shaugnessy, M., 1999, Media & Society - an Introduction, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

- O’Sullivan, T., Hartley, J., Saunders, D., Montgomery, M. & Fiske, J., 1994, Key Consepts in Communication and Cultural Studies, Routledge, London

- Taylor, L., & Willis, A., 1999, Media Studies – Texts, Institutions and Audiences, Blackwell Publishers Ltd., Oxford

- Turner, G., 1993, Film as Social Practice, (3rd ed.), Routledge, London

Bibliography:

- Bukatman, S., 1997, Blade Runner, British Film Institute, London

- Blade Runner, (motion picture), 1982, Warner Brothers, USA

- Deese,P, 1998, More Than Human (online), available: http://www.popsubculture.com/pop/bio_prosject/sub/more_than_human.html

- Dyer, R., 1998, Introduction to Film Studies (pp. 3-10), in Hill, J., & Gibson, P. C. (Eds.), The Oxford Guide to Film Studies, Oxford University Press, New York

- Sammon, P. M., 1996, The Making of Blade Runner, Clays Ltd, St Ives plc

- Scott, S., H., Is Blade Runner a Misogynist Text?(online), available: http://scribble.com/uwi/br/br-misog.html

- Wood, R., 1986, Hollywood from Vietnam to Reagan, Colombia University Press, New York