Blade Runner 2049 - Worthy Successor
One of those movies I thought never needed, and would never be sullied by an inferior sequel, in an age, where every movie that has a modicum of success seems to warrant one. I though the original film was a one of a kind masterpiece of science fiction (talking about the directorās cut here, the original release was a bit of a mess).
I was intrigued by this one when it was released (directed by Denis Villeneuve, who made such an interesting science fiction film in āArrivalā, and produced by Ridley Scott), but for some reason, never got out to the theater to see it. Ran across it at the library the other day, and took it home for a look. I found it every bit as good as the original film, with some interesting additional levels of complication to the original premise that made the whole thing worthwhile, as well as being a good continuation of the original story.
Because the best part of this is the unfolding mystery of the storyline, SPOILERS AHEAD:
Thirty years after the events of the first film, and replicants have beenĀ āimprovedā, that is, they have been given extended life spans, and are much moreĀ āobedientā than the earlier models, however, they still lack their own memories, are still effectively slaves and second class citizens. Evidence of the birth of a child from two replicants is unearthed, and several factions seem anxious to discover who it is, obtain it and put it to use for their own agendas. Our main protagonistĀ āKā played by Ryan Gosling is a replicant blade runner who is charged with finding and eliminating the child.
The usual science fiction plot - ordinary joe finds himself somehow the key to salvation, seems to be the way this film is headed, as we begin to suspect that K is in fact the child born of Rick Dekkard and the replicant Rachel from the first movie, but in the second half of the movie, that plot is turned on its head, which makes the film all the more interesting. How can our hero (savior) still beĀ āimportantā while not being the center of the plot? The continuing line ofĀ āI always knew you were somebody specialā, turns out to be not true, but then again, maybe so. How can you beĀ āspecialā when you are put out on an assembly line?
My favorite scene is where K turns on the jukebox and has the holographic Frank Sinatra singing to him āone more for my baby, and one more for the roadā. And I liked the throwbacks to the original film, the piano key striking that one note that stood out so much in the first film. Dying Ryan Gosling on the stairs in the snow, echoing Rutger Hauerās death scene in the rain in the original film.Ā Also the scene with the giant nude holographic of his girl as he stands in the rain after sheās been killed.Ā Beautiful imagery throughout (wished Iād seen it on the big screen), and I found the relationship between K and his computer generated companionĀ āJoiā very interesting, and moving.
One or two drawbacks were the villains, who seemed to be oddball to the point of distraction, especially Jared Leto, and Robin Wright wasnāt much more interesting as Kās boss.
Released 2017, First Viewing March 2019