[Jack Lord]

Well, on the surface its a Film Noir set in the not so distant future. Like some earlier and even current Sci-Fi films, it deals with environmental catastrophe, although it does not get too deep into that theme. It also seems to suggest a merging of ethnic groups that, in reality, is well on its way.

Its main points, at least as I see them, deal with existence and consciousness vis a vis comparing Replicants to Humans. The book deals with that a bit better as the humans set out to retire (i.e. kill) the androids, yet happily keep android animals as pets seeing as most living animals are extinct. Obviously, there are light allusions to slavery as the Replicants must work in the off worlds but cannot enter Earth. And perhaps to Nazism as well with its use of euphemisms for killing.

The only true way for Decker to ascertain that the Replicants are not human is to give them a test that reveals they have no empathy. Yet eventually Decker realizes that humans themselves have no empathy for the Replicants, who, while being artificial, strive to stay alive- to exist. Explains Roy's statements of what he has seen and experienced. We are all the sum of our experiences and Roy, although a Replicant, is no different.

Add fantastic sets and locations (the Bradbury Building in LA) plus excellent acting and you have one of my personal favorites.