Analysis of the Chase Scene in Blade Runner Essays -- Film, Movies

The chase scene is a key part of the film as it influences the viewers overall opinion of the main character, Roy. throughout the film Roy is interpreted as the villain and Deckard seen as the hero. However this scene creates sympathy for Roy and portrays him as a saviour figure. Ridley Scott, the director, does this using a meander of technical, cultural and symbolic codes. These are the semiotic codes this essay will explore. Technical codes are the use of technical techniques used to create a certain atmosphere, way or feeling. For prototype a Blue Filter is used to set a melancholy feel putting forward the image of Roy having the blues. ethnic codes are themes or techniques used in media that are linked in some way to religion, culture, events in history or previously published books and films (media). An example would be Ridley Scotts use of neon signs (TDK), behind Roy at the end of the chase scene. This suggests links with Tokyo, a main focal point for manufacturing goods. Symbolic codes use words, objects and images to signify a certain sense or idea. In this case their main purpose is to provoke sympathy. An example would be Roys black Nazi style cover symbolising/portraying him as an evil character. To begin the scene, the mood is set by a blue filter. This is a technical code provoking the emotion of sadness. This effect creates sympathy for Roy because the atmosphere is dismal and melancholy. Likewise the establishing shot is in soft focus, another technical code creating a gentle, calm mood, which contrasts with the violence after to come. These two techniques toget... ...s meanwhile show he feels yet again as a human does and hence the viewer relates to Roy and therefore empathises with him. Finally he dies and a dove flies away out of his hands, representing peace and Roys soul. But does Roy have a soul? This is one of the many rhetorical questions the viewer is left to trust about. It is not a spoken question, it is an open-ended sign, there is no limit the audiences interpretation it is a mere guide to their emotional response. To conclude I view the piece is extremely successful in making the viewer feel sympathy for Roy through each semiotic code. The issues raised about Roy through these sacrifice the viewer in suspense with unanswered questions like Was Roy programmed to have emotional responses? What are his rights? Maybe he was man made. But arent we all?