A Reel Review: BLADE RUNNER 2049

In 1982, director Ridley Scott introduced us to a futuristic world in which specialized police officers, called Blade Runners, hunt down and kill, or “retire” synthetic humans known as replicants. Far from just a standard sci-fi action flick, BLADE RUNNER took the time to explore themes of humanity and life, and today is regarded as one of the definitive science fiction films. Thirty-five years later, Scott has stepped aside in favor of a new director, Denis Villeneuve, who takes the story ahead to places that will surprise and impress long-time fans. 

Thirty years after the events of the first film, LAPD Blade Runner/Officer K (Ryan Gosling), is dispatched on an assignment to retire runaway replicant Morton (Dave Bautista). During the job, K discovers a deeper mystery with massive implications, which leads him to retired Blade Runner Deckard (Harrison Ford), and the company now in the business of manufacturing replicants; led by Wallace (Jared Leto), and his enforcer Luv (Sylvia Hoeks).

The first thing that must be said about BLADE RUNNER 2049 is that is impossible to take in without seeing its 1982 predecessor, as it is a direct sequel in every way despite taking place 30 years after. There are several storylines and themes from the first film that 2049 picks up and runs with, and it serves not only as a sequel but a natural, organic extension. A lot of credit right away needs to go to director Denis Villeneuve for not repeating the basic plotline of the first film and having his main character spend all of his time hunting down and blowing away replicants. This time, there is a mystery to solve, and what a mystery it is. The secrets unfold slowly like a great detective novel, and the first five minutes of the film offer the first of many shocking revelations that 2049 is packed with.

There is a journey for K to undertake as he sets out to unravel the mystery, and it takes him to places which has him questioning his own character and past. Villeneuve and his screenwriters do great work in making it feel natural, and several important, if not vital points from the first film are expanded upon in brilliant ways. From the end of BLADE RUNNER to 2049, it is seamless.

Fans of the original will be pleased to see that the unconventional pacing is still there; the film is no hurry to get anywhere as great care is taken to flesh out characters and plot. But there are no moments of boredom here as Villeneuve keeps a sense of forward momentum going, and the buildup towards the action scenes and revelations can be felt in the air. Special effects are stunning and offer some visuals that we’ve never seen before. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is absolutely jaw-dropping; the lighting and uses of color give 2049 a futuristic, yet natural beauty that demands to be seen on the big screen. The score provided by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch is outstanding, and recycles the old Vangelis theme to great effect.

Acting is superb. Ryan Gosling does his usual stone-face but has several moments to break out of it and show some real depth. Harrison Ford steps right back into his old Deckard shoes with ease, and a major confrontation towards the end allows this veteran actor to show just how good he can really be. Jared Leto is fascinating as the eccentric and oddball creator of the new replicant models, and his right-hand Luv, played by Sylvia Hoeks, is also wonderful to watch. Robin Wright comes in as K’s police captain and is very good, and Dave Bautista shows a new set of ranges in a limited role.  The show is absolutely stolen by Ana de Armas, who appears as K’s virtual girlfriend. She is a beauty on screen and gets some heavy-lifting to do while bringing the emotional center of the film; astounding considering her character is an illusion.

With a hefty running time of two hours and forty-five minutes, 2049 is a haul but manages to feel tight, and is good enough to make us want more. There is so much to appreciate in 2049; the story is fascinating and surprising, the characters are well-realized and feel natural, and the stakes are one of the best we’ve seen in science fiction. Denis Villeneuve has constructed not only a great sci-fi tale but a great film; one that can and will inspire discussion, and most importantly, make the events of its predecessor even more important. The world of the Blade Runners has never been better.

BOTTOM LINE: See it