Blade Runner & Chronicles of Riddick: Similar?

POSTED BY: Fastmover
UPDATED: Saturday, June 16, 2007 05:16
VIEWED: 3834
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FASTMOVER

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 6:17 AM

I just watched Blade Runner for the very first time last night, and it was a really cool movie. Previous to this, I had always been a big fan of the ill-received Chronicles of Riddick, and have watched it many times.

I understand they are completely different movies with different plots, however one thing that I noticed right away when I got to the middle of Blade Runner was an eerie similarity between Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and the Purifier (Linus Roach) in Riddick.

WARNING: Possible spoilers!

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First, they look exactly alike from the hairstyle, hair color, eye color and outfit they wear. Their mannerisms are also a lot alike.

Second, when Batty meets Tyrell, he claims that he, "Has done questionable things." This is similar to the Purifier's beautiful line, "I've done unbelievable things..."

Third, when Deckard is about to fall to his death, Batty grabs him by the arm and pulls him up, saving him. In Riddick, the Purifier returns to his Furyan self and pulls Riddick by the leg out of the scorching sunlight to safety.

Finally, this has more to do with the setting, but some of the buildings in the later scenes bear a striking resemblance to the Necropolis ship seen in Riddick.

What do you think?

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 2:33 PM

Riddick was heavily influenced by Blade Runner, no doubt. Good-looking flick! But the message in BR is what makes it a classic.

Time to die Chrisisall

MAL4PREZ

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 2:55 PM

I've only seen Riddick recently, because when it came out the ads for it made it seem, well, a bit lame. But it's a shockingly decent movie! I love the whole sunrise chasing after them thing. Fun concept, great effects.

Anyway, as to your point, it didn't occur to me when I saw it, but know that you mention it I could see that the writers used the Blade Runner character as an inspiration. And included the similar lines as a nod.

Interesting observation!

Edit: Chrisisall - what message do you mean?

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I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

CHRISISALL

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 5:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:

Edit: Chrisisall - what message do you mean?

Blade Runner's message was (IMO) basically that we're all in this together, and that labels such as 'human' and 'replicant' (like 'us' and 'the enemy') are used simply to divide us into understandable pidgeon-holes, make us predictable and controllable. Life is more complicated than that.

Nutshell Chrisisall

FASTMOVER

Thursday, June 14, 2007 4:30 AM

Thanks for the replies!

Another thing I noticed is that BR and TCOR share the common themes of Bounty Hunters or Mercs as well. They chase a condemned man who they fail to realize is the salvation of all human life.

This is a really interesting nod, though it may take a little while for some to notice. The Purifier was after all a relatively minor character although he did ultimately play an important role. Interestingly, though, in the DVD commentary for Riddick they say that the Purifier's line was actually made up by the actor Linus Roach when they filmed it, and they decided to leave it in there.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, June 14, 2007 1:48 PM

I should really own a copy of TCOR....

Pitch Black Chrisisall

MAL4PREZ

Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Blade Runner's message was (IMO) basically that we're all in this together, and that labels such as 'human' and 'replicant' (like 'us' and 'the enemy') are used simply to divide us into understandable pidgeon-holes, make us predictable and controllable. Life is more complicated than that.

Nutshell Chrisisall

Hmmm. Never thought it out in those terms, but yes, that is certainly there. It's not a relevant message to today's world at all, now is it?

Have you read the book? Very different...

-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, June 14, 2007 2:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:

Have you read the book? Very different...

No...I like my Philip K. on the big screen.

To read makes our speaking English better Chrisisall

FASTMOVER

Saturday, June 16, 2007 5:16 AM

I think the message is also along the lines of the theme in Star Trek: Nemesis concerning Data, that being the issue of what it means and what is necessary to be human.

Also, I thought I'd give everyone a good side-by-side comparison to show what I mean about the similarities:

Roy Batty: "I've done...questionable things..."

The Purifier: "I've done...unbelievable things..."

EDIT: Interestingly enough, both Roach and Hauer starred in Batman Begins together.

I wanted to post some good pics of the settings, but couldn't find any.