Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
Book Review: Fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
Any fan of Blade Runner who wants to know the whole story should check this book out. Beware though, because it doesn't hold anything back and gets down to the tiniest detail (which in a way can spoil the way you view the film in the future).Book Review: I'll say it's just fine
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, read the title of the book. What does it say? Is the title "A Bloated, Arrogant Analysis of the Movie Blade Runner"? Is it "A Useless Critical Analysis of the Merits of the Movie Blade Runner"? No, it's "The Making of Blade Runner" and if you want to know about the making of this movie then you'll love this book. It isn't written by William Shakespeare. If you want that then go buy MacBeth. If you want some insights into the rewards and heartaches of making a sci-fi movie then this is a good book for it. And by the way, those who say that Blade Runner wasn't a good movie simply haven't watched it enough.Book Review: Intricate production details - A very interesting read!
Summary: 5 Stars
Although this book was written many years after the film was made, the author did spend time on the set during the film's original production. Combine that with the fact that he has done many interviews with members of the cast and crew, and this book is *the* authority on the intricate and meticulous production details of Blade Runner.
If such details interest you, then this book is well worth reading - one of the best.
Book Review: Strictly for Cultists
Summary: 1 Stars
Great photogaphy has been the death of movies. So what is it about movie-fans that makes them insist a pretty movie is a good movie? Blade Runner ushered in an era of movie-making in which terrible scripts became the norm. A story from the filming goes that director Ridley Scott made 17 takes of a woman smashing through a pane of glass to get it just right; so where was the same fastidious attention to a coherent script? And the movie has found a niche among viewers with similar priorities.
This book is a fussy catalog of minutia and trivial debates on line dubbings. It recounts dry facts about the movie, but never gets around to a real anaylsis of the finished work, which is undeniably mediocre. The author acknowledges dozens of script inconsistencies but won't grant that they add up to a seriously muddled movie. In fact, he concentrates only on the script and the line permutations over the six versions of the movie. He doesn't seem to notice that the script was the least interesting aspect of the project. Want to get inside designer Syd Meads mind? Want to know where the sets came from? It's not here.
There really isn't a distinct author here. His objectivity was gone very early and any viewpoint dissappears behind slavish devotion. The movie's problems are defended as if they were personal criticism. He defends a never-argued thesis that Blade Runner is a great film. Superlatives are flung (triumph, classic) without any support. He reacts negatively to one viewers response 'What IS a Blade Runner?' without acknowledging that the movie never gets around to explaining this arbitrary job title. He also reacts negatively to negative reactions (Pauline Kael, etc.). He's just too close to (and defensive of) the material. His whole agenda is pumping up the rep of this weak movie.
A single paragraph of decent criticism is worth more than all of this delirious fawning. Blade Runner remains the best-looking bad movie ever, a ravishing dud, best watched with the volume turned down. There probably is a good book about the making of Blade Runner but it's more likely going to be a cautionary tale called 'Blade Runner: What the Hell went Wrong?'
This book was quickly returned to the store.
Book Review: FAN-TASTIC!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not an expert in the Shakespeare language. Also, I'm not sure if Sammon is also an expert in it. What I know is that Future Noir was the very first english book I'd read with pleasure, although my own dificulties with English language (is my 4th language!). Blade Runner is a MUST for every sci-fi and/or cinema fan, and I'm very pleased with this book. The irritating relation between Ford and Young, the coolness of Hauer and his bright work, Scott's rudeness with the crew, and several other hundreds of things are there. ALL are there... No other book or magazine could be more complete. If you love BR, you must read this book. If you can't buy it, stole it!