The Replicants in Blade Runner function like any new technology in a society: treasured until abused. When the superhuman capability of Replicants were clear and presented as a danger to humans (with faster reflexes and increased strength), Blade Runners such as Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) were hired to "retire" them.
Whereas Max Headroom takes an almost comic view on a futuristic dystopia, Blade Runner confronts it head-on with themes of identity, genocide, and power abuse. To present this universe of persecuted beings that don't exist, the design of this world was carefully crafted and executed by the film's makers.
1. Did you suspect that Sean Young was a Replicant in during her interview scene? What did the actress do to cause you to suspect or not suspect her? Sean Young played
2. How did Rutger Hauer display his character's age, particularly during the scene in the genetic engineer's house with toys? Rutger Hauer played
3. Do you think it's ethical and/or necessary to have Blade Runners, and to retire Replicants?
4. Max Headroom seems to revel in his artificiality, whereas the Replicants live in fear of theirs. Do you think a switch in scenario would be possible, where AI's like Max fear of being erased while Replicants celebrate their lack of a biological body's constraints?
