More Human than Human - A Blade Runner Analysis
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2024
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In this installment of Nightmare Masterclass, I'll be discussing the Blade Runner films, as well as the novel that serves as their source material, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
What makes us human? Is it our capacity to contemplate and, indeed, question our own existence? It our tendency to ask "why"? Is it our ability to comprehend our own mortality--to recognize that, someday, each and every one of us will perish? Is it our propensity to categorize, to draw borders, to create distinctions when given the opportunity? These are not mutually exclusive concepts, and if your answer to the question, "What makes us human?" is all the above and then some, well, you're probably right. But is there an essential quality to what defines us? Is this even a philosophical road worth going down? Where does this road lead us?
Blade Runner 2049 is the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi thriller Blade Runner, a stylish and enigmatic film loosely based on Phillip K Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. And it’s important to note that I will be discussing the novel, the original film, and 2049 in this video. As such, there will be extensive spoilers for all of these works. If you haven’t read the novel, or seen the films, I strongly urge you to do so before watching this video.
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"He had far too much spare time.
And no life whatsoever."
I want them to put this on my tombstone.
I saw it in theater, it took me 3 hours to pick up my jaw from the floor. It was one of the few times I was so impacted by a film, I could not stop thinking about it for days after I saw it. Too bad it did bad with the box office, but then again, who does?
You should seriously watch the making off of Blade Runner, its so in depth and interesting. I dont know if its on RUclips tho, i only saw it along with the Workprint from my Special Edition Box Blu-Rays with that little extra Car model.
@@DieHardjagged Its called 'Dangerous Days'. The documentary
That’s how I was after seeing Scarface in the Cinemas 🪧
@@trickywho7463 "all I have in this world is my balls and my word, and I dont break em for no one." BEST FUCKING LINE
@@bulletsunderpressurefor a moment I was like did Sapor say that in 2049?
Oh, that does sound more like Tony Montana...
Failing at the box office is almost a brand of excellence in Off-World Colonies.
0:00 Channel intro
0:30 Discussion begins - "what makes us human?"
1:15 Introduces the three works
- 1:20 original BR
- 3:30 BR 2049 (5:00 how it builds on the original thematically)
- 5:30 DADoES
6:15 cyberpunk
8:05 the Tyrell corporation and the role of replicants
- 8:45 humans v replicants, divisions imposed by those in power
9:35 the role of the state (in this case the LAPD)
- 10:40 continued in BR 2049
10:50 role of VK test in dividing humans and androids
- 12:55 compared to test in BR 2049
14:00 dehumanization of androids through language
14:50 social hierarchy within humans as well
15:55 depiction of advertisements (union of consumerism and technology)
17:00 distinction between biological and synthetic animals, social pressure to have biological animals
19:05 significance of replicants capable of producing offspring, how personhood is defined
21:55 box-office performance
23:00 outro
bruh good job
Thank youuuuu 🤲🏾💗🌸
Philosophy is the defining element of humanity
Few are capable of thinking philosophically, in the real sense of the word.
JOI is an interesting character. Ironically, she is more "human" than anyone, especially K at the beginning of the movie since she lacks the biological drives. Though, paradoxically, this is why she is the least human. There is so much to this movie, especially the eye symbolism--that's another great vid on yt.
Nightmare Masterclass, you'll probably _never_ read this. _IF_ by some slim chance you do, I'm sending you big squeezie hugs from Canada. You're intro to the video titled, 'More Human than Human - A Blade Runner Analysis' was a sad lonely one. Please, keep up your wonderful videos. You're a great RUclipsr with a lot to offer. Thank you for _all_ of your hard work. We, your sub's, appreciate it tons 🤗🤗🤗🥂
I hate how long it takes you to make these, but I absolutely love the end result. Patience is a virtue I lack apparently.
Anyways, awesome stuff. Can't wait to see what you're tackling next.
I'm really disappointed in the fact that the general perspective on these kind of topics isn't very high. This film was absolutely terrific, in the sense that it was creepily unsettling and horrifying, and I absolutely adored that fact, because it really makes you think. In the end, what it really brings is a look into the future, because no doubt, if humanity survives all other kinds of hell in the universe, we will create A.Is that are so intelligent that there is no difference at all between humans and robots. Of course, this is already the case since there's no evidence for a soul, memories aren't stored, and emotions are biological impulses, so in a sense, we're already just like robots, only a lot more complex.
Had this discussion with a person once who did the same thing as the Tyrell corporation, mainly stating that robots will never be human, but leaning more towards the soul discussion. This is going to be a horrible problematic time in human history, and it scares the hell out of me to think that people still think in these ways, having no empathy for complex life forms other than humans, thinking that we're the pinnacle of everything there is.
Anyway, I'm rambling. A girl who sat next to me in the theatre literally cried because it was so horrifying to her, and hid her face behind her boyfriends shoulder during the performance of Jared Leto. Afterwards she said that it was boring. Honestly, I would've just wanted to say that if she truly felt horrified by that movie, then she felt something very strongly and shouldn't dismiss it as "boring". It makes me sad that no one appreciates it, because it has so much to offer for the sci-fi genre at large. It brings up so many fantastic things, from the visuals to the story and the subtle messages, it's just damn perfect for being a sequal.
Hampus Granberg The film isn't really talking about A.I. or androids? Or were you talking about our reality?
A very simple way to counter that would be to make AI not possess human bodies. Imagine Alexa or Siri or any other AI assistant who's as advanced as Ryan Gosling's AI girlfriend who can carry a conversation etc. but not possessing a human body or just being a screen or hologram. This will keep people in check.
Agree 1000% People want this black and white answer for what is real or human. The movie definitely blurs the lines and makes you think which in my mind, makes for a great movie.
I agree with your post on so many levels. As a result of seeing sci-fi that tackles these themes for several years (the creation of A.I. and man-made life forms), I've come to the same conclussions than you. We are complex robots, the mental decision making , and biological processes of our bodies, and it's responses to both external, and internal stimulus are automated processes, yet we try to deny these facts, cause it threathens our sense of purpose, our humanity, we try to distance from the mechanical by grasping thightly a to huge misconceptions about what make us tickle.
Prashun 'PC' Chakraborty they need the bodies to do actual labor.
i'm quite young so i never really grew up with the generation that is most familiar with the blade runner series, but in 2021 i've gone on a spree to watch all of the movies and the only thing that i can say is i regret not knowing about the blade runner universe earlier on. i would have loved to watch 2049 on the big screen because the visuals, the pacing, the eerie silence? it's perfect. everything about it is just *chef's kiss*.
You might still be able to find a theatre that occasionally plays older movies, especially ones like Blade Runner 2049. Might depend on where you are. Do yourself the favor of watching it on an IMAX screen.
If you're anywhere near the Toronto area, I know the Cinesphere still plays it occasionally. There might be something similar wherever you are. Good luck.
I don't think people often get this sort of feedback, but I think it's important to let you know that I did actually pause your video at around 3:50, went and bought (and watched) the movie, then came back to see the rest of this and hear your take on it. It often feels like these sorts of disclaimers go ignored, but your opening alone was good enough to motivate me to do it.
And in it, you've introduced me to one of the best movies I think I've ever seen.
I simply couldn't thank you enough.
whatchu talkin bout, BR2049 is perfect.
freakin masterpiece.
Night Secular It's my favorite movie of all time, but we need to let people have their opinions.
... it still strikes me that very few are capable of capturing the art of the original greats like the original blade runner. The original had grit, dirt under nails, smells, grim, sexy, incredible textures, and ambiance. Seemingly only non CGI, 80's movie technique can capture apparently. Oh how I long for the good ol days. Star Wars, A new hope, Darth Vader's entrance. Wow. Alien 1, pan shot of the alien space craft, Predator's incredible sound engineering of the hearing from the perspective of the Predatory itself. As well as it's vision. These are all revolutionary ideas and techniques. We need more revolution. Less vomit of non artisan ideas.
This sequel is garbage compared to the original. Bladerunner didn't need a sequel.
The ambiguity in Blade Runner whether Deckard is human or a replicant ...
Is if you can't tell
Then does it matter 😎
It does state and clarify’ in the novel
Love both of these movies two of my top 10 of all time.. great retrospective!
This was fantastic! One of the best video-essays I have ever seen.
Old Hegelians IMHO for Nightmare Masterclass, this is second only to the analysis called Curse of The Neon Demon. I love how this channel always raises points that elevate subsequent views of referenced source materials.
no actually as a Movie Review this sucks.
Hey there. I just discovered your channel and love it. twin peaks, twilight zone, rick and morty and neon demon are among my favorites. I also adore the background music, it gives a really ambiance to the dread and crep of the art you are analyzing. so keep doing what you're doing man!
+Jack Draper Thank you very much! I appreciate the encouragement.
I find it admirable that you not only made this analysis but also the brilliant music to score it
I just subscribed within 20 seconds of watching this, HILARIOUS intro!!
23 minutes later, I know I made the right choice - what a fantastic essay!
My sentiments exactly- liked and subbed!
Saw it six times in the theater - About 50 times at home on Blu Ray
Best film ever. thank you.
The best review of the novel and the movies that I have seen. Great effort. Thank you.
Excelllent, thoughtful analysis! I enjoyed your work.
This was easily the greatest Blade Runner analysis I've watched. You are definitely correct in that 2049 has gained a cult following since it's release, although I believe the original is still much better. They're both great films though and I hope the series has a future despite their poor performances in the box office.
The amount of technology that actually 'improves' our lives is so small as to be negligable.
excellent analysis, thanks for making this.
That was an awesome analysis!! Enjoyed it very much!!!
Being "all outta time" is a figment of the networked time-limited past, where channels were time-shared.
I love your opening crawl.
Now I will have to change the title of my essay for college. I had title it "More humans than humans" alredy when I saw the film the first week of release. I was going to talk about the filosophical questions that the film involves and why you had to keep them in mind in order to understand more deeply the film. I wanted to add the pinocchio figure to understand the main character but without revealing to much.
Loved it; I love your in-depth analyses on your channel and this goes to show your true intelligence and critical thinking =)
+DGAntonio Thank you but I'm just a dingus with some video editing software.
Confirmed a dingus. Also software.
I was disappointed to find no white zombie... but also pleasantly suprised
Your ending line is absolutely right
"2049 is not a perfect film"
I disagree good sir.
Not enough Vangelis
@@Spartan9177 Vangelis's sound wouldn't fit in BR2049, and also that doesn't make it inferior.
BR49 is literally the greatest movie of all time
greenakutabi it’s insanely close to perfect, in fact I like 2049 better than the original but no film is perfect
I too disagree. The film is highly imperfect.
What makes us human Being Made in the Image of God and a Soul.
Excellent analyses, thank you for this. I plan to share it on my blog!
I was particularly interested by Wallace portrayed as the blind creator. In many cultures the creator is blind, owing to imperfections in his creations.
lol i'm clicking like for the intro, 99% chance of a follow today
I loved this film! I went and saw it in imax! stunning! then I pre-ordered it on digital and guess what, seeing it a second time, I liked it more :) the film has a depth that so many modern sci-fi's fail on
Great, thought-provoking essay, extremely well presented and edited.
"Interation" though? WIth an "n"?
In the book people use animals as symbols of status. Shame you didnt mention Mercerism (religion)
Mercerism is an interesting topic! Alas, I didn't have time to get into it.
These movies are warnings to humanity about A.I. and the close relationship between Government and Corporations.
Life imitates art? Art imitates life?
our ability to improvise. "to change as circumstances change..
That's interesting. The owl is synthetic. What is the pigeon .......................... dove?
When it comes to what defines us as humans, I don't really think it's anything that special or unique. I think a quote from The Iron Giant actually really defines my perspective on it quite well, "We are who we choose to be." With all of the positive *and* negative connotations that comes with.
+Templarfreak I love that movie.
It's one of my childhood movies, so obviously it's left a pretty significant impact on me. :^)
+Templarfreak Same.
(Or was it "what we choose to be" I don't actually remember clearly LOL)
what if I choose to be a fish? will I grow gills?
I gave this video a like before I watched it. Simply because of the opening titles.
Good analysis, but in the book it was clear people were being lured offworld to be exploited.... Do i remember working in mines?
You should focus more on The Cry of Mann. (I still love your videos)
On it.
Confirmed: On it.
I know this is a rather odd request, but perhaps you could do a bit of analysis on the work of Ken Nordine? A poet/ voice over actor from the 50's. His work can be both light hearted and very haunting, almost maddening. It would be nice for him to get some more exposure. Just something for you to think about
Spectacular analysis!
Why didn't you go over the fact that the interests of the Wallace corporation and the underground rebel force of replicants are completely aligned? They both want the same thing, to give replicants the ability to procreate.
The only 'oppressive force' in the movie that seems to oppose this notion of giving replicants the ability to procreate is a single police chief that at one point of the movie says something to the effect of:'Am I the only one that sees you guys shouldn't be making babies?!' and she gets slaughtered in her office during work hours by a replicant without any repercussions.
"Every civilation was built off the back of a disposibile work force". That's not the same thing, it's not the same goal, that's not what the replicants want.
Luciano ITA, = Cows wanting to breed to maintain their species VS FARMERS running CAFOs wanting them to breed IS NOT THE SAME. Wallace wants 'HUMAN' SLAVERY again where RACE or illegality isn't the justification but saying they are inhuman so they can be kept breeding property. USA knows this evil well.
@@klyanadkmorr but aren’t he right about that in the end replicants are not biological humans after all slaves were humans but replicant are not so why you act like it’s evil act but there is nothing evil about it and about slavery slavery didn’t had anything to do with race that’s just USA version of it
I wish the movies could get at the implications of the emphasis on pets more. One thing that's so interesting in DADES is that everyone is expected to have a pet as a display of their empathy. This empathy extends to animals and synthetic animals, but not to synthetic humans. Deckard kills (synthetic) humans in cold blood, so that he can participate in this commoditized empathy. One of the amazing aspects of the "franchise" is the way it captures the plight of every marginalized group in one allegory. There are very clear elements of the African slave trade built in, but the story isn't restricted by that allegory.
One thing I've always found unsettling is, the VK test depends on humans all reacting similarly. If that weren't the case, it would have a high false positivity rate. Given that replicants show variance from normal, doesn't it say that humans are the ones that display repeated ideation and behavior? I don't think it's an accident that the question Rachel takes offense at is the one that suggests she might be a lesbian. Since the right answer seems to be revulsion, it seems to be saying a great deal about a prominent repression of its own era.
Finally, on the subject of people needing to do certain things to be human, a line from 2049 that doesn't get enough love is when the orphanage master says "work is what makes these children desirable human beings" or something to that effect. For me that's a major indictment of the capitalist system. People are valued only for what they produce, and they are valued in monetary terms. I don't think Villeneuve was as in tune with class struggle as Dick and Scott, but he had a few moments really tying his dystopia to our present systemic malaise.
I didn't quite understand the Bee's. Was that to portray the emergence of life returning to the earth? There weren't any flowers or crops I saw that they could pollinate, so I don't know how they could survive, much less bring back the eco system. If you can theorize on that I'd appreciate it. Great video, BTW
I was wondering about that too. At first I just took them as a sign that the radiation levels were nominal enough to allow for life, but then I was stumped by what they're purpose for being there would have been with nothing to pollinate.
The only thematic relationship I could think of was from Dekard's Voight-Kampf test question from the first movie where he asks Rachel what her reaction would be if a wasp landed on her hand. "I'd kill it", she answers. Given the same chance, K does not react in the same way with the bees on his hand. Does that represent a leap in replicant empathy for life-- a la Roy Batty? Dunno.
Other than that, your guess is as good as mine...
I think Deckard farmed them and ate the honey, or something like that. Idk if bees need plants to survive, maybe in this case they evolved to live without it.
K puts his hand in the case because he's never seen bees before, maybe he doesn't know they can sting. He's just curious.
The Voight-Kampf tests for Class Conscious IMO.
I like how you mocked the opening crawl from Blade Runner for this video
Ironically enough, at the mark 12:14, during the interrogation process with the male sitting in the chair. Which if you’ll notice the fonts on the chair, resembles the fonts of Tesla and the interrogator resembles Elon Musk. And who do you suppose is responsible for clones(replicants)? Musk is also the founder of The Boring Company, an all-electric, zero-emissions, high-speed underground public transportation system in which passengers are transported via compatible Autonomous Electric Vehicles (AEVs) at up to 150 miles per hour through Main Artery Tunnels between stations. AEVs are Tesla vehicles (Model S, 3, and X) that operate autonomously within the Loop system.
Check out DEATHMARK Book 1 by Michael Perinuzzi, Great Cyberpunk Novel
Why even make andriods so indistinguishable from humans?
Because we can.
Great analysis of all three works. Yeah, we're all fucking replicants... literally!
I'm 2049 the test at least the way I took it , is that it is meant to basically know if a replicant is "awakening"
Watched this and loved it. (Your video I mean.)
Question though: Blade Runner is suppose to be the near future right? It kind of makes me wonder how indistinguishable from humans robots will be 500 years later.
With Alita (you should watch if you liked the manga), androids have the same emotions humans and cyborgs do. (Cyborgs is something different from an android).
I tend to define the line between Cyborg and Android based on what the brain is made out of, as an aside.
Every country is rushing to colonize the and Musk wants to colonize Mars. How close to the truth do you think this movie is? Real close. Everyone is telling you to send your personal pictures into the cloud, plus personal information. Have you ever tried to retrieve your info from the cloud? Who has the keys to the cloud? Yep, these movies are a closer reality than you think. They make movies like this to prepare or numb you for the future. Plus it's not gonna be 500 years later, sooner than later. I hope you have a spiritual plan because my God will end up destroying it, probably sooner than later.
Omigawd ! 40 years to get what pkd wrote 60 years ago...
name of background music from about 50 secs onwards please
Take my subscription already
If i took a shot every time you said distinct=.
Great video!
And still, to my annoyance, the sidequel Soldier is forgotten; for shame for shame 😔.
Have you ever retired a human by mistake?
-No.
(Truth: not that they told me or reported.)
What do "reinerate" and "inerations" mean?!?
+Melton Cartes iterate* and reiterate*
Basically, something that is repeated.
Sorry, I am probably not enunciating it right.
6-10-21, huh? What happens when I turn 22, I wonder...
really loved what you said at the end of the video... 100% agree, these movie are only meant for the Awake and chosen few...
Perfect. This is a subject that can definitely be re-visited.
nice analysis. i like the fact that you'd read the book. The general publics exploits of the meaning behind the movie series i kinda funny however, as so much weight is given to 'clues' and 'hints', when in fact a) there was little correlation to the original book and b) for the sake of the shot of the film, there are choices made that just look damn good, but have little significance to the plot line aka they make shit up all the time. Limited budget, time and resources, means sometimes you wing it and hope that it looks like you had deeper meaning behind it. A common artists ploy. Not that's necessarily a bad thing, but let's not read too much into it, or make it out to be like it's canon. it's not. No where near.
Maybe all those qualities you listed are byproducts of being human rather than causing it. Either way great video.
Larry Chauncey byproducts of being human... I must disagree. I believe they are a product of the fact that he have cognitive thought. Animals do whatever they can to survive; morality played no role in the natural circle of life... Until humans came in to being. We for whatever reason, are much more inclined to feel empathy, and think of a "moral compass" as a guide to how to live life, which is quite odd when you think about it.
The question seems to be; is that what makes us human, or does being human result in those things? My answer is; does it really matter? Because it sure isn't natural for a species to progress as such. We as humans create arbitrary rules and laws because we consider them to be civilized... But what is civilized? Nothing more than a particular set of arbitrary values that for whatever reason most people say is important. As an existentialist, it amuses me.
Everyone thinks there is some greater meaning to being human; there isn't. We are no different than any other living being around us; we simply choose to act different because we think of ourselves as above them, which is preposterous. What makes our rules different than other species? Ours make no sense. We humans are creatures of nonsense that find meaning where there is none.
What makes us human is our ridiculous notion that were somehow important. That is the only difference between humans and non humans; a deluded and undeserved sense of importance
Its settled, Deckard is a replicant.
This movie....39 million. Adam Sandlers the longest yard remake.....175 million
+SeanP7195 They did a remake of the Longest Yard?
Its was a PC, word for word remake and it was so lame and killed it at the box office.
Love cyberpunk
What if they made a Blade Runner movie about a group of replicants off world who go roque and hide on earth, but it focuses on the replicants and not on the Blade Runners
Blade Runners are janitors.
Damm you RUclips algorithm. How do you know me better than I know myself.
are humans really defined by their ability? or is it something else. The very fact that people were able to conceive of an android reproducing proves to me that nobody truly believes that the abilities are what fundamentally matter.
What really matters is identity. the androids know they are androids...so they have android focused collective interest. The humans know they are humans...so they have human centered collective interest.
One must be the master...the one that directs society. Because society cannot split directions.
recall that rebecca did not even know she was an android...and learning that she was traumatized her. Also, the blade runner fell in love with her when she thought she was human (and we thought he was human).
the philosophical quandry only happens when we wonder who should rule who. Androids are superior in many ways to humans...but androids cannot create androids. As the creator, humans can preserve their place as masters. If androids can create androids, however, humans have lost their leverage and will lose their power.
i think there is also a funnyparallel with the humans who have abandoned nature. Although nature created humans...when we could use our intellect to create machines that provided our survival needs...we no longer had any use for nature. The androids then turning on humans could be considered a sort of divine retribution for this cosmic betrayal of humans.
Charles Thompson Great comment. Extremely well said.
Is that a White Zombie reference?
Do I hate Mars Bars
CELLS.
Than....its not human.
People don't go out after age 45 up, l bet the blu ray sales are good, people don't want to hear coughing, slurping of drinks or chat that goes on in the cinema, we are not tolerant of each other at all, we used to be, fun holiday to the local seaside but now we fly away from each other, local population does not mix well at all.
Funny opening lmao
@04:10 nx7 reproductive abilities in Rachel and if you believe he is a rep, Deckard.
I'm a fellow Stockdale
Interesting video.
Minor suggestion. Don't say "i.e."; just say "that is". That's what it means.
The Unicorn dream was not originally a part of the movie, and it was a scene that was originally in the movie Legend.
What song is that in the beginning?
Rutger Hauer >observer_ the best game 2017 amazing
Wtf its real!!!
Edward James Omos
Battle star galactica
They should never date movies. Look at the movie 2001 and 2010 Space Odessy
Then blade runner 2017 and 2049.
Why?
They are viewed as products, to be made is to not have a soul.
Hi, euhhmmm, sorry but it seems i broke my joi again sir... hmmmm... are you sure sir, it's your 4th replacement in a month now... lolz ;)
Human, All Too Human...
'' He had far too much spare time and no life whatsoever''-----Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaa
2049 was a masterpiece. Bladerunner barely held itself together. Who cares about the book. Neither film relates to it and tries to touch on it as a major storyline. Personally, I don't even see either film as any kind of reference to the book. Bladerunner was a decent film and tried hard to maintain it's theory of Androids/Humans. 2049 projected what would have become so, if that universe had continued as such. This was not because the original idea worked but because people couldn't grasp 2049.
16:17 ''(INTER)National identity reinforced by ''' ----EU ?