Blade Runner Sequel Set for 2017



    
     Alcon Entertainment recently announced  a 06 October, 2017 release date for its sequel to the 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner.

     Harrison Ford has been signed to reprise his role as Rick Deckard. Several other big names are also on board. Ridley Scott is also coming back, but as executive producer this time. Filming is set to begin this this summer.

     The original movie was based on the Philip K. Dick novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? It was dark. It was gritty. It was futuristic, yet familiar. It was awesome. It was also a film classic that went on to eclipse the book upon which it was based.




    
     Ironically, the sequel's release date is just two years shy of the 2019 setting of the original movie.

     I love the feel of the original. Like I said above, it was futuristic, but so familiar that it was easy to imagine your self in that world, at least for a time. Will the sequel stay true to the best qualities of the original, or will it go the way of Ghostbusters II? That's the real question: Is this a true sequel, or is it an original project with the Blade Runner stamp slapped on it to take advantage of an existing fan base? Let's hope not. But if they start calling  it a 'reboot' of the original, then we have our sad, sad answer.

     On the other hand, this could be a worthy return to the gravely, greasy, shady world of the 1982 classic. I sure hope so.

     I want to get excited about this one, but we've been burned before. I'll buy my ticket either way.

     What do you think?

    

Starship Troopers Reloaded

     Here's a link to preview the new CGI film, Starship Troopers: Invasion.
This version of Robert A. Heinlein's classic novel is being touted as the most faithful film adaptation yet. I hope they're right. I watched this clip and it's pretty action-packed, but action isn't what made this book a classic.
     I first read this book as a young armor lieutenant. It was required reading for every officer in our battalion -- ordered by the colonel himself. I'm glad he did. The social commentary Heinlein deftly injected was like nothing I'd ever read before (yes, that's an admission of a misspent, literary deprived youth). The depth of subtle (sometimes not so subtle) examination of our society and its virtues and flaws made a HUGE and lasting impression. The concept of citizenship, the roll of the military in society, and the culture of the military itself (Everybody fights!) are key subjects that stand out in my mind. It made me a fan of sci-fi and has impacted my own writing in a big way.
     Again, I hope this new work does the original justice. Reminiscing about this amazing book makes me want to read it all over again.