It has been continued in time since we first imagined the life of the coming future in light of our curiosity and eagerness. A host of science fiction films depict the unborn world, which always have skyscrapers, great technology, and consist of abundant robots in the forthcoming life. Once we talk about science fiction films we can’t help mentioning Metropolis and Blade Runner. Made over 50 years apart from each other, both films address the problems that people living in the present foresaw in the future and the other of which is concerned with machines’ effect on human beings. Both films are quite visually stunning and attention grabbing and they are good examples of how science fiction movies have changed over time with the evolution of technology. Undoubtedly, these two films exhibit a gorgeous technological world and tell us a myth of future similarly and differently.
In Metropolis, the workers depicted in the film have to live in poverty and work under very dangerous situations underground. The background blending of the two environments demonstrates a surrealistic environment and two contrasting atmospheres in the movies. The film Metropolis is set in the year 2026, in the extraordinary Gothic skyscrapers of a corporate city-state. In spite of it being a black and white old movie the director describes a magnificent vision of future world filled with high-rise buildings. It is a simple world, consisting of two classes--the pampered citizens of the surface and the workers who belong underground. The environment on the surface is super modern while the underground is crowded and shabby. This easy setting makes the story line clearer and the visually inspired, action-packed pictures were hits of that year.
Blade Runner depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in 2019, in which genetically manufactured beings (the replicants) are used for dangerous and degrading work. There is a horde of Japanese animation in Blade Runner: the spacecraft, the metropolis surroundings, and even the huge flying screen with a Japanese woman singing in her traditional costumes. Things are over-exaggerated to bring a more powerful impact on the idea about future technology. The renderings are set realistically with high attention to details. Moreover, the main existing streetscape in Blade Runner is a portrait of a decayed city from the street level perspective. In order to blend the two different environments together smoothly, the whole film is set in darkness and endless rain. The boundary between the real and unreal has never really been fully resolved neither physically nor experientially. In Blade Runner’s metropolis, the whole environment is set in an old and moist city, and not too far away is the high and modern skyscrapers which increase the conflicted and tense atmosphere. The darkness, gloominess and wetness all contribute to making the futuristic city a mysterious place to live. Compared to this, the future in Metropolis seems much better. On the whole, buildings in Blade Runner are unoccupied or have fallen apart. The roads are not well maintained, and people just seem to be disorganized. However, the animated towers are much more civilized. The urban environment as a whole is in between a transitional stage from a present metropolis into a futuristic one. The music and acting are two other important settings of both films. In Metropolis, because it is a silent film, the actors had to over act their parts. They used exaggerated expressions and body language to portray their emotion to viewers. To help them, a musical score was written by Gottfried Huppertz to symbolize the characters’ emotions. The music mirrored what was happening in the movie, oftentimes showing suspense, power, and beauty. In Blade Runner, the actors appear to be much more realistic in how they talk and carry themselves. The music in Blade Runner is frequently in the background – overlapped with dialogue. The music in Blade Runner, created by Vangelis also is totally different than that of Metropolis, being much more electronic. The reason for this is they are from different times, and the music has evolved very much over the past 50 years.
In addition to the environment, the music and acting, the styles of the times were different. For example, at the end of Metropolis, the evil scientist chases Maria, and Freder is trying to save her. The film was sped up to make the characters look like they are running very fast and to add excitement to the scene. Contrast that with Blade Runner, where the opposite editing effect is applied for a similar scene. About halfway into the movie, Deckard is chasing after a female replicant on a busy city street, when he gets a clear shot to take her out, he fires and the film dramatically slows down. What would be a scene for fast motion in 1927 is a scene for slow motion in 1982.
Blade Runner and Metropolis are two of the best science fictions films ever made because of their grand sets, special effects, and engaging plots. Both are prominent in the film history and definitely worthy of watching. Good movies know no time, nor any bounds save those of humanity. Notwithstanding, Metropolis was filmed in 1927 and Blade Runner was finished in 1982. It is no understatement to say they are marvels in film history.