Blade Runner 2049 [2017] – ★★★★
**SPOILER ALERT**
Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 is already gaining a reputation of being a film which breaks new grounds in terms of creating visual splendour on screen, and its plot is a mix of cerebral reflections, unexpected turns of events and low-key, but effective action. Faithful to the world of the original film of 1982, Blade Runner 2049 is one of a kind film, even if it does contain a rather confused mixture of ideas. In this story, it has already been thirty years since Deckard’s adventures in Blade Runner (1982), and now planet Earth is even more depleted of its natural resources. The use of replicants on Earth increased, and now K (Gosling), a replicant police officer, is on the hunt “to retire” the older versions of replicants. However, one of his routine calls “to retire” has yielded important clues which may endanger the calm societal state whereby replicants and humans coexist relatively orderly. K’s adventure then becomes the one which involves the search for truth, and, like the original film, the preoccupation here is the issue of identity and the correct identification of false and true memories.
Faithful to the world of the original film of 1982, Blade Runner 2049 is one of a kind film, even if it is too long and does contain a rather confused mixture of ideas.
Nexus-9 replicant K is on the mission, and when he is not “retiring” other replicants, he spends his time with Joi, his hologram live-in girlfriend, which is the product of Wallace Corporation, the successor to Tyrell Corporation. When K uncovers the remains of another advanced replicant, Rachel, it transpires that she was pregnant with a child, and the hunt then resumes to find that child, because the fact that replicants can reproduce must remain a secret. However, the staff at Wallace Corporation is also very interested in this discovery, and will also want to know the identity of the child, so K is faced with some adversary along the way.
The intelligence behind the screenplay cannot be doubted: the twisty plot makes the audience wonder and just scratch their heads at the sheer ingenuity. The achievement here is Villeneuve’s utter respect and faithfulness, in terms of details, to Blade Runner (1982), and it is a good thing that the screenwriter of Blade Runner (1982), Hampton Fancher, came on board to write the script for Blade Runner 2049. In some respect, Blade Runner 2049 even pays a tribute to the original film. For example, as in the original film, K uses a magnification device in his investigatory work, and fights whereby part of a body ends up breaking the wall; among other similarities, such as the presence of piano in both films. Surely, Blade Runner 2049 contains much more nudity/erotica than the original film, but its scenes of violence are as effective.
The plot, surprisingly, chooses to ignore some of the interesting aspects of the short films made before it. For example, it does not really explore the rebellious nature of the newest replicants, and how far they could really go to protect their masters’ interests. All this is only implied in the film, and the film, rather, chooses to focus on the hunt for a missing child, with the result being that the film is sometimes akin to some Harry Potter-inspired mission to find “the boy who lived”, a special kind of person who is only one on planet Earth, possessing special abilities. Villeneuve seems to have taken his obsession with his previous film Arrival (2016) and its ending to a whole new level here, concerning himself with children and birth, while the production also pays sporadic tributes to both A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) and I, Robot (2004), as well as borrows heavily from Her (2013) to construct the relationship between K and Joi.
Moreover, the plot is sometimes too confusing, and the screenplay is just all over the place in terms of ideas. The film does leave too many questions unanswered for the comfort of an average viewer; and, more astonishing, its characters often do things which seem completely random and do not make sense considering the plot. Even if in the film’s defence, one can say that it is all thought-provoking and it just requires a second viewing, well, the point still is that a film should be as enjoyable on its first viewing as it is on the second. Blade Runner 2049 can simply overwhelm with its “intelligence” force. Starting with the question of duplicate DNA records and the failure of Luv to kill K, and then with Wallace’s “irrational” pursuit of Deckard and his killing of his own replicant, there are just one mystery too many, and even when answered are given, they are too layered to be really convincing. Also, despite the “packed” plot, the film has an almost snail pace, with the result being that the film is way too long, even given its complicated plot. Surely, here lies the film’s appeal: it never rushes the events, and provides plenty of opportunity for contemplation, but it does feel as though some scenes needed to be cut or some sequences sped up.
Another thing to note here are the brilliant visuals and the awe-inspiring advanced special effects. The visuals of this film are stunning, and the film should be viewed through the biggest possible screen, preferably through an IMAX 3D. But, then, when one has cinematographer Roger Deakins on his team, as well as the budget of around $185 million, the audience can really expect something grand. In fact, Deakins is no stranger to producing visual content for science-fiction films, having been previously involved with the production of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) and was consulted repeatedly for Wall-E (2008). Therefore, when you couple the breath-taking cinematography/setting with the music by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch, the result will be something mind-blowing.
However, probably, the greatest achievement here is the faithfulness of the film’s visuals to the original film’s world design. The film also sometimes amplifies the visual concepts of the original film, and makes original spins on familiar concepts, since it has been thirty years since the last film’s events. For example, the original film focused on darkness, muddiness and rain, emphasising the chaotic nature of the city which is often invaded by robots escaping Mars. Now, thirty years on, Blade Runner 2049 emphasises the complete depletion of resources through desert-like visions, i.e., orange-tinted ruins of the outskirts of the city. The focus now is on the sterility of the environment, and, although such a vision appears nowhere in the original film, it does feel as though it forms part of the real Blade Runner universe, since the passage of time must be accounted for. Another ingenious use of the setting, which is faithful to the original film, is the insides of Wallace Corporation. The yellow-coloured interiors of the Corporation remind of the infamous conference room of Tyrell Corporation in the original film. Finally, the production did not forget to include the instances of the chaotic life in the city’s Chinatown, also present in the original film. Now, the hologram of a giant ballerina works to entice citizens to the area, while everything else, from shops to people, maintain their exotic feel, as also happens in Blade Runner (1982).
The only concern here, regarding the visuals, is that it does feel as though the film sometimes uses its plot solely to showcase the visual splendours of the film. The film just feels as though it is too satisfied with its visual glory. That happens, for example, when K fights with Deckard in an abandoned building and there is signing hologram of Elvis Presley, or when K stumbles upon a miniature hologram of Sinatra. The question becomes whether these settings were already chosen before writing the plot around them. It does feel that way. It is for that reason, perhaps, that there are many totally random intervening scenes in the film. For example, in one scene, as soon as the audience settles comfortably into K and Joi’s romantic encounter, their meeting is abruptly interrupted by showing skyscrapers, and there are number of such instances throughout the film.
Harrison Ford, in the role of Rick Deckard, and Edward James Olmos, as Gaff, are reprising their roles from the original Blade Runner film. All the other cast is “new”, including Ryan Gosling (Drive (2011)) as K, Robin Wright as Lieutenant Joshi, Ana de Armas as Joi, Sylvia Hoeks as Luv, and Jared Leto as Niander Wallace. Gosling is a great choice to play K, because, with his ability to show inner emotion, the audience can identify and sympathise with, what is essentially, a robot. Also, Ford, as Deckard, did not lose any of his charm or screen presence despite the age, and his scenes are the most interesting in the film.
What impresses in the film, however, is the presentation and the cast of the secondary characters. They elevate the quality of Blade Runner 2049. De Armas (Joi) is particularly great, as is Write (Joshi). Hoeks, as evil-minded replicant Luv, often steals the show from her co-stars. Luv is repressed and truly dangerous, and her actions really frighten. The real pity is that, Jared Leto, who plays Niander Wallace so well, does not have much screen time in the film, because his character appears to be the most fascinating. He is a blind creator of the newest versions of replicants, the successor of the all-powerful Tyrell Corporation.
Moreover and most unfortunately, unlike Blade Runner (1982), the female audience watching the film cannot really identify with any of the characters in Blade Runner 2049, and may feel isolated from the experience. The evil menace in the film is coming from one of the female characters, Luv, a replicant, and it is hard for girl and women in the audience to identity with K’s hologram girlfriend Joi, because she is so evidently unreal. Also, other relatively benign females in the film just have too little screen time to identify with them, such as Lieutenant Joshi, Mariette and the designer of memories – Dr. Ana Stelline.
In Blade Runner 2049, the plot does take its back seat to allow the awe-inspiring visuals to take a central place, but that does not necessarily diminish the film’s overall merit. The film may be too long, and its plot has its holes, but the sheer force of the imagination here, the unparalleled ingenuity of the film’s design and setting, the commitment of its cast and the film’s faithfulness to the original film (both in style and in content) all really deserve the highest of praises.
Spotlight on Film 
Great in depth review. I never thought about the female pov or engagement to the film. I myself don’t feel disconnected if there are no strong male characters/povs in a film as a lot of experiences felt through characters are gender irrelevant I think. Overall great movie though probably my fav so far of the year. Thanks!
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Thank you. Strangely, but I did find that females in the audience do not have anyone here to root for and that maybe especially so here because of so much female nudity/erotica present and the fact that this film IS marketed as a science fiction/action film, i.e. the film which primary appeals to the male population, unlike almost romantic “Her” (2013).
Even if you consider the movie “Her”, most of the audience will root for the main character irrespective of their gender, but there is also this character played by Amy Adams and her fears and traumas are being exposed, and that at least provides some kind of a relief.
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Very perceptive I never even thought about that till I read your post. Thanks again 👍
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Great review. We mere mortals are arguably not worthy to review this fantastic work of genre art cinema. My wife identified with many of the characters, notably K’s desire for humanity and his existitential inquisition. Be careful with feminist readings. In my view a gender reading does not mean man appreciating male representation and female solely securing a female character to associate with. We are all human and can transcend gender representations.
Interestingly, how does a film about artificial humans become subject to gendered analysis? Technically, within the story, they are not living people. There lies the paradox. We care what happens to actors playing robots on the screen.
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Ah, you are so right. We, with our human intelligence, are certainly ill-equipped to appreciate this superior work of art lol
I still stand by what I wrote re females in the audience. I never usually say such things, and in 99% of all films, it does not matter if a hero is a female or a male, but, for me, in the case of Blade Runner 2049, it was something too evident given all the other factors, that I just thought I needed to mention it.
Hehe, I see the paradox, yes, it is so nonsensical to speak here about any associations with characters who are essentially robots, though to be completely fair – I see a difference between trying to mentally associate with a replicant who seemingly has feelings and thoughts – who is so evolved that he could be mistaken for a human, and trying to see ourselves as a hologram who can be touched which is Joi. In some way, and in the movie, it IS like talking about humans vs artificial products.
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Fair response- I didn’t see the film as misogynistic or gratuitous in the nudity but a reflection of the dystopic and misanthropic nature of a future where humanity is dying and robots and A:I and children and men and women are all slaves. There is of course reflection of the world we live in today. I think it extremely interesting that K’s wry smile when he realises he has been exploited by the Wallace Corp. product of Joi, demonstrates his naïveté and also humanity. He was powerless ultimately. Lastly, the nudity shown via the new replicants was in the context of birth.
But hey, that’s great art in my view; a work which is open to many readings from different theories and perspectives; and open to question depending on shifting perception.
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What a terrific review. I loved this film, and ever since having seen it, is has stuck around in my mind for quite a while. I do agree that the film was too long overall, and could have done without a couple of scenes in order to give the movie some better pacing. The relationship between K and Joi, was for me one of the highlights of the movie. The nudescenes of Joi were in my opinion done very tasteful, and were in no means offensive like sometimes seen in other films. Especially since the relationship itself was so beautiful and very sad. The scenes with the birthing of the replicas with Wallace however could have done without nudity, and were in my opinion unnecessary. All in all though I thought the film was truly breathtaking, and a very worthy sequel to the original movie 😀
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Thanks. I was initially sceptical about Joi and the actress playing her – de Armas, but the character and the actress really won me over. I agree the relationship was nicely done, and K and Joi (Gosling and de Armas) had chemistry. It was believable, though I would draw the line at saying that it felt completely “human” and “warm” hehe
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Haha no it was actually pretty disturbing when you come to think of it, but also very touching, beautiful and sad as well. I agree with de Armas. I had only seen her once before in Knock Knock (a really horrible thriller starring Keanu Reeves), but here she really played an amazing role 😀
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/james-rogers-bush/blade-runner-eyeball-to-eyeball/1570913292965001/
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Long and slow, but still compelling. Nice review.
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Good review. I agree that the film manages to show very little of its world despite the impressive lenght and many questions are unanswered. That was a pity.
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I admire the visuals and ambition, but I agree BR2049 sometimes uses its plot solely to showcase the visual splendours. I’m also wondering if the sequel was even necessary at this point. As you write, other films in the 35 years since 1982 have covered the same thematic ground as BR2049 does. If the sequel was released in the 80s or 90s, maybe it would have been more vital?
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Agreed, thanks for the comment. Sure, Blade Runner 2049 is a cinematic experience like no other, but boy does it go out of its skin to please, especially, visually.
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Great review! Agreed that the film has its flaws but it’s certainly a gorgeous film that will probably take years to be fully appreciated. Like the first film… 🙂
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I disagree with a couple of things but its nice to read different opinions. I think characters regardless of their gender can be fascinating to any audience member. I found Joi fascinating and Luv mysterious. I would have liked a bit with Robin Wright but I don’t think that means no female audience members can enjoy this film. I enjoy Bad Moms and there’s no strong well rounded male characters in that. Secondly while its better for a film to be good first time you see it. I do think sometimes some films you pick up on in subsequent viewings. I have no problem with films that pander to and come from the perspective of the male gaze any more than I do with those that are for the female gaze. Having said that it struck me as odd after the female tits and ass on display (useful to the story mind you) that we didn’t see one male butt crack. Hell even one male pleasure model in the background of one scene couldn’t have hurt? I will admit the film is long, I saw it on a Thursday night and I was feeling it but I think it contributes to the mood and works unlike some long movies. I also think some things lose their impact due to marketing. The long walk through Vegas might have worked it better for some if they didn’t know inevitably Harrison Ford was going to be there at the end of it. I loved the movie and think it will go down as classic but I enjoyed reading your positives and negatives. I’m not entirely sold on Harrison Ford having to fight so much but anyway.
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Thanks very much for your thoughts and opinions. I enjoyed reading another point of view.
But, well, I don’t think it is fair to compare Bad Moms and Blade Runner 2049. Bad Moms is a comedy to be enjoyed by all, while science-fiction has always been reserved for a male audience, and that’s a fact. I mean, taking all the other factors into account, the genre of the film, its female nudity, etc, Blade Runner 2049 feels very much like its purpose is to just ignore any females in the audience who may be interested in the story. I am not referring only to the lack of role model female characters, but to the whole package. You can see it from the very first shot down to the last, and from many men’s dream of having a hologram girlfriend, to the Freudian idea of reuniting the son with his father, and putting a stop to a hysterical female on the loose. It is downright too much of a male vision.
Also, note, I never wrote that females do not enjoy this film or incapable of doing so. I am a female, and there is no other film I enjoyed more than Blade Runner 2049 in the last six months or so.
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Well you can fall down a rabbit hole, I could write that Bad Moms is a female targeted comedy which many would consider true. But part of me that rails against that label even as I agree with it. Why is it a female targeted film? Because the 3 leads are women? Because the perspective is from mothers? Why does that matter? I enjoyed it and I wanted to see it as a comedy. Which I guess is my point of bringing it up in a discussion of Blade Runner 2049. Blade Runner has four onscreen female characters played by strong actresses who are fascinating and bring up ideas of yes how we view women and men. The film’s narrative belongs to its male lead yes and so in that sense lots of things are from a male perspective. That to me doesn’t mean female audience members are being ignored. But if somebody felt differently then that is fair enough I guess. I’m glad you liked the movie. I think films are a great way to see things from a different perspective, to allow us to empathise with others and recognise our common humanity. As demographics change and we evolve we should be seeing lots more perspectives in film. Case in point, Blade Runner 2049 made 35 years ago probably would have had Robin Wright’s and Sylvia Hoek’s characters be male portrayed by male actors. That would have been a shame.
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