BLADE RUNNER

In the history of mankind, there are very few visually impressive science fiction films than Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. Released to theaters in 1982, the Harrison Ford powered science fiction is based on Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and features a number of technical features that were not only innovative in 1982, but hold up just as well today. Compared to many other science fiction fantasies of the time (such as Star Wars), Blade Runner features an aesthetic that didn't cheaper over time.

Many of the scenes are shot wide and long, to convey a sense of giganticism. The camera work is actually done strategically (with plenty of post-effects) so that it's impossible to tell that the tall, futuristic buildings look as those they're in a grimey future dystopia and aren't just models with a smoke machine behind them. Also noticable is how each shot is completely in focus from the foreground to the background so as to not blur any of the spectacle.

Many of the movement shots of the characters are shot from far off, unless they move through a crowd, in which case many shots are quick cuts and claustrophobic. The villains are usually centered. This creates a feeling of in-your-faceness for the viewer. In opposition are the normal shots of people, who are usually off-center so as to allow focus on whatever they're looking at.

A lot of the shots are dark, but illuminated by what appears to be a fake light. Practically the entirety of the film takes place at night and most of the time it's raining, so the visual achievement is impressive in that the lighting is consistently subtle in order to make the dark, moody mood all the more gloomy.

In a final intense moment, during the famous "Tears in Rain" scene, the camera focus is directly on the character's faces as to capture the emotion and expression coinciding with the dialog. Here is a good example of how light is used to create mood.