Blade Runner 2049

The long term effects 1980s sci-fi films possess shouldn't be underestimated in how they are utilized in popular media. These ancient antiques were produced during an era where the limits of new storytelling techniques and peculiar odysseys were being discovered, which is a contrast to those from our modern era where it's difficult to find originality and experiences that standout on their own for the right reasons (examples of modern laziness includes Avatar and John Carter). It's worth pondering because another staple of our modern era that doesn't seem to be dying anytime soon is creating sequels to capitalize on the fanbase for better profit as well as being lazy in terms of finding being original (just like Sony does). The 1982 artistic relic in question here is Blade Runner, that fascinating film you don't realize has influenced more sci-fi media than you know such as Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Deus Ex, etc. While it has a sizable fanbase, I became more aware of it once I saw the marketing for this sequel and found myself interested in viewing how the original brought its cult film status before watching this. Blade Runner 2049 has received strong critical praise from critics and I felt ready to see the next step in that journey, especially after viewing the 1982 cult classic. I went into the packed auditorium, with large enough popcorn and refreshments for the long runtime, ecstatic for the film (especially with the director of Arrival helming this) and left it with a rattled brain processing the impressive but exhausting journey it provided.

Any spoilers about the story and/or elements I enjoyed will be added to the 2017 retrospective page, with my pros and cons about Blade Runner 2049 listed there.

One thing to note is that are numerous cuts made to Blade Runner: the theatrical, the directors, the television, and the final cut (which is commonly referred by most as the best version).

Thoughts on Blade Runner-The Final Cut: The story takes place in 2019, Los Angeles where bioengineered beings called "replicants" are hunted by trained officers known as "blade runners" and our main protagonist, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who's forced back into hunting down a group of illegal replicants. The wonderful neo-noir cyberpunk environment and style created here has heavily influenced many entries within its genre as a whole. The investigation process presented here is elevated by the advance technology, brilliant slow pace to entice audiences into the intrigue of the world, and the complex nature of these replicants that must be seen in order to be discussed further. While there are some weird oddities with the film, I found myself immersed by this environment (which seems more likely given the current state of the US at this point), the fascinating topics not necessarily talked about but inferred enough for deeper analysis, and the rewatch value it contains for its fanbase. If you're interest in gorgeous visuals, fascinating concepts, dark depressing tones, and unique slow paced sci-fi, watch the final cut of this classic. ⭑⭑⭑⭑

Plot: The technological world has evolved in the last 30 years but the "retiring" of rogue replicants has failed to cease due to changes in that status quo, which is explained in the opening text of the film. The plots follows a newer replicant model who works as a "blade runner" and finds himself following evidence of a mystery that could change their world. It takes the foundation of the previously established lore from its predecessor and expands upon it via the development 2049 possesses while our main protagonist investigates an important secret. Much like its predecessor, it contains a nice slow pace, is more of a detective neo-noir film with a dark depressing tone, possesses a strong rewatch value to analyze the circumstances of the storylines, has a few moments of action fights, every scene having a purpose that doesn't drag, and is more about the conversations between characters with the subtext surrounding it. One of the more noticeable issues with it is the enormous runtime (2 hours 45 minutes), which can affect how audiences can keep up with the storylines at hand, and the best way to not doze off as a result of this is either going to one of the earlier showtimes or having enough caffeine in your system to last through the story. Overall the unpredictable plot in Blade Runner 2049 carries many similar elements of its antecedent while standing out on its own as it fleshes out more of the lore of their world, though it can be difficult to keep track of the storylines due to the long runtime.

Visuals and Score: As previously mentioned with the original, visuals and cinematography are not only the best impressive element of this film but are gorgeous to look at. There's a blend of the bright glowing neon from the downtown area with the white, gray, and black palette of the environment, observing on how bad things have progressed. The advancement of film production technology from 1980s to 2010s aided in how impressive the surroundings appear in terms of scope. The score is good but there's an issue with it throughout the film that prevents it from being great being linked to Hans Zimmer as one of the composers. Similar to Hans Zimmer previous works, occasionally he will use that loud booming sound you may have heard from films like Inception where an enormous Bwong plays at serious moments or during the cinematography shots. That signature of his should have been either toned down with the volume or not used at all as it gets in the way at times (near deafening somewhat at time for me). Overall the visuals and cinematography are the best elements of Blade Runner 2049 while the score is occasionally hindering it by using unnecessary loud Bwong sound.

Characters: The main character to focus on is K (Ryan Gosling). K is an LAPD replicant blade runner who discovers the remains of a secret that will affect the status quo of their surroundings and works to uncover more details about it while dealing with the harsh nature of the life he leads. Ryan gives a great performance in a unique leading role (in a film where most of the characters are replicants) that develops based on his interactions with those around him such as his girlfriend, commanding officer, or malevolent forces. Honorable mentions go to Joi (Ana de Armas), Luv (Sylvia Hoeks), Dr. Ana Stelline (Carla Juri), Lt. Joshi (Robin Wright), and Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista), particularly Joi's role in K's life as well as the chemistry between the two. It should be noted Harrison Ford does reprise his role from the original but doesn't have as much screen time as what may be implied by the marketing (only appearing in the third act). A mixed mention goes to Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) for the actor being more tolerable in comparison to his dismal Suicide Squad role though his overacting could have been toned down enough. Overall, with one exception, the depth of the lead protagonist is bolstered by great portrayals of the main leads as well as the interactions shared with wonderful supporting roles.

Overall Consensus: Blade Runner 2049 is a sequel that honors its predecessor with powerful visuals, great characters, expanded technology, and an exploration of new angles with previously established lore. ⭑⭑⭑⭑🍿🎟

Reasons to watch it: You like any of the aforementioned actors. You can handle slow paced movies with the long runtime of 2 hours 45 minutes. You like neo-noir sci-fi films with depressing tones. You have seen the 1982 Blade Runner and want to see how they adapted this sequel. You like watching films with a strong rewatch value to analyze the themes presented. You enjoy sci-fi with wonderful visuals and cinematography. You want to see Ryan Gosling in a leading role (and with his shirt off). You don't mind sci-fi with farfetched pieces of storyline. You enjoy cyberpunk environments with fascinating technology. You like watching movies where you must figure out what's happening on your own instead of having it spoon fed to you. You don't mind plot lines that aren't very cohesive.

Reasons to avoid it: You dislike any of the aforementioned actors. You can't handle slow paced movies with the long runtime of 2 hours 45 minutes. You dislike neo-noir sci-fi films with depressing tones. You have seen the 1982 Blade Runner and don't want to see how they adapted this sequel. You dislike watching films with a complex plot lines. You dislike watching movies where you must figure out what's happening on your own instead of having it spoon fed to you. You have a problem with plot lines that aren't very cohesive.

Coming up next: October-ween is halfway through with Blade Runner 2049 having made a strong visually stimulating but complex experience with the expansion with its lore. We've reached the halfway point and the depressing tone of this movie needs at least two films with a comparatively lighter mood to wash out the complex thoughts presented here. Tune in next time as Screening Spectacles will be taking a look at a new horror comedy to be released on Friday, October 13th that follows the usage of the Groundhog Day plot device, Happy Death Day!!!