Blade Runner - The Director's Cut... Is the setting of Blade Runner credible? Are there any elements of society today evident of the futuristic setting of 2019?

Blade Runner - The Director's Cut opens by welcoming us into the possible future of earth. Set in the theoretical era of 2019, the film shocks viewers with its representation of humanities decaying social and technological structure. To me, the film is an entirely unconvincing portrayal of the future, which is partly influenced by viewing it in today's context, and partly influenced by the genre of science fiction movies in general: that is sci-fi films generally depict an unrealistic setting.

Produced in 1982, it has the setting of a futuristic Sci-Fi film, in which the visual aspect of the film plays a large role in the development of thematic issues. For example, the question of what it means to be human is conveyed by the fact that visual memory obtained by the replicants generates an emotional response. The transformation of Rachael's costume throughout the film is another visual example of the humanization of the replicants.

Blade Runner

Rick Deckard portrayed by Harrison Ford in the fil...

Blade runner special ed case

It is not at all a credible setting for an era just 15 years from now. However the setting does play a major role in adding to the mood, motifs and themes contributing to the overall meaning of the film, and also allows for a strong development of the plot, with its many strange places and characters.

The opening shot pans across the un-recognizable city scape of Las Vegas - mushroom clouds of fire and smoke rise above the colossal buildings as a solemn darkness, brought on by dark clouds, torrential rain and eerie sound effects gives a rather unpleasant, hell-like scene to the film. It is obvious that human existence is present, yet the city of seems to be full of misfits from all over the universe and country.

The poverty, pollution and crime existing on the streets of Las Vegas have driven...