My father took me to see Blade Runner (Criterion Edition) at the Uptown theater (DC) when I was much younger and immediately fell in love with the movie.
I don't know how Mr. Metcalf and the echoes of several other critics can claim that the movie is "underplotted." You even agree the movie is Nietzschean, so how does the plot not mirror existentialism?? The ambiguous story arch is spiked with violence and still reaches its emotional goal of asking you to question your own existence- of what it means to be human and the fruitless quest for immortality. Batty's death and final gesture is one of the most beautiful, iconic scenes in cinematic history. The power of that scene and the movie itself is partly owed to the acting. The replicants have to seem "opaque," or one-dimensional because the plot's intension is to appear predicated on a dualistic (both moral and Cartesian) theme which is then shattered in the final minutes with Batty's swan song.
Additionally, Mr. Metcalf's resentment and/or negative perception toward Ridley Scott's continued re-editing borders on paranoia. Are we really to believe that all these editions were released in a some far ranging conspiracy to apotheosize the movie?? I completely agree that these editions having a less then subtle profitability to them, particularly the five-disc edition, just in time for Christmas. But the movie's ascension is directly grounded in its filmmaking. You need to look no farther than 'Dark City' or 'Matrix' to see its influence. Phillip K. Dick, who originally opposed its making, was enthusiastic after seeing the production designs and more importantly, the script. Tell me another movie that has done Dick's writing justice? Minority Report was ok, but if its problem was anything, it was its over explaining plot. Christopher Nolan credited his inspiration for Batman Begins to Blade Runner, which he considers to be his favorite film. What opinions should we draw from then? I can understand the suspicion towards the SciFi fanatical as a proper litmus test, but an acclaimed and widely respected director? I'll take Nolan's expert advice of Metcalf's any day and ESPECIALLY over his wife's reaction, which oddly enough, was the coup to his argument. Seriously, he ended with this like it was the end-all-be-all argument.
By the way, laughter is a funny thing and Blade Runner is a serious movie. Metcalf already announced his disapproval of the existentialist theme, which he notes as its "abiding weakness." Why is the philosophical mindset the biggest problem? Since he sees so eye to eye with his wife, I must assume they share relatively the same sentiments on life. Well laughter like catharsis is the purgation of pity and fear- I think anyone disturbed by a movie (whether horror or dramatic) relishes the opportunity to return to their disbelief.
Let me end where I began, Metcalf- why don't you lay off a guy that, regardless of marketing opportunity, is trying to make his movie better and edgier?? It’s not like he's Lucas, reselling the same shit only with THX or silly CGI. Regardless, Blade Runner will outlive you, Metcalf. Accept it or laugh it off.
