'Blade Runner 2049' Review: An Artful Sequel That's A Classic In Itself

Movie sequels rarely get to be better than the original. And when it comes to rarity, there’s a huge chunk of films that don’t fit in this category too. “Blade Runner 2049,” though, makes the cut—and it even outlasts its predecessor. Ridley Scott’s 1982 cult science fiction film “Blade Runner” changed the course of dystopian science fiction movies. It’s mostly referenced in a lot of cyberpunk-steampunk movies (e.g. The Matrix) and is the tentpole of most modern neo-noir films. For a film so iconic, it’s kind of a gamble for a sequel to come up 35 years later. Often the dilemma here is how the film would live up to the standards of the prequel. “Blade Runner 2049” successfully passed that mark, and it’s here to cement itself as a redefinition of the modern dystopian science fiction genre.
Scott’s “Blade Runner” took place in a cyberpunk 2019. It focused on replicants, bioengineered humans that are almost likened to the human genome save for a test (Voight-Kampff) that separates them from actual people. They were made to be in the frontline of dangerous missions to other planets. That being said, replicants are strictly forbidden to stay on Earth. Enter the “Blade Runner”—which Harrison Ford’s character, Rick Deckard, is a part of—a task force of the LAPD whose sole purpose is to seek out rogue replicants who are living on Earth. By the year 2049, replicants are now recognized to be an integral part of human survival. They are know living amongst humans and upgraded to fit in with society. Older replicants, however, are still being hunted and subsequently “retired.”

Ryan Gosling plays K—a newer replicant model and Blade Runner designed to obey orders—who’s on a mission to seek out the remaining older replicants. The film opens with him conducting an investigation in a farm owned by Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista). There, K discovers a box buried underneath a tree that contains what seems to be human remains. It’s later found out to be the body of a female replicant who died after giving birth. Lt. Joshi (Robin Wright) is taken aback and tells K that it’s something that would change the course of history. This also unsettles K, because the various pieces of evidence he found in the scene matches his memories.
K then is determined to solve the case and sets out into the cyberpunk world of 2049 California. One thing that the production nails here is the spectacular visuals that make up the dystopian world. There’s a healthy burst of color everywhere, and it successfully narrates the proper tone of the story. Throughout the mission, K has his holographic girlfriend Joi (Ana de Armas) accompany him, and they go against the Wallace Corporation headed by Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) and his henchwoman Luv (Sylvia Hoeks). I won’t say more about the entire plot, but towards the end, it wraps up in a brilliant plot twist that would leave you aching for K.

The original “Blade Runner” movie set up a different tone for most of the science fiction movies done in the early eighties. It was during that time where the style and cinematography adapted neon color grading for most of their movies. That’s why when you think of the 80’s, a huge part of that era’s pop culture themes revolve around these colors. “Blade Runner” maximized this visual, and it came up with a compelling look at what 2019 could be. Fast-forward to 2017, and the use of this magnificent theme is still timely. Every angle where color is used gives off a neon future that doesn’t only replicate the authenticity of what the previous “Blade Runner” film did but also gives more depth to the story itself.
“Blade Runner 2049” is a visually creative film that makes you want to live in its reality. The brilliant story-telling makes for a sequel that can stand on its own. It’s a hopeful remake in itself but doesn’t veer away from the original storyline. It continues the story and sets up an even greater narrative.
Scott handing the reins over to Denis Villeneuve helped shape “Blade Runner 2049” into the visual masterpiece that it is. Villeneuve has that particular style of filmmaking that makes the audience think hard. He’s a pro at making movies that don’t only entertain, but also make you feel uncomfortably educated. His take on the “Blade Runner” mythos added to its already spectacular imagery and art, making it a film that takes you to a different realm of science fiction. And to that, I can say that he’s one of the directors to look out for in the future.

On the other hand, the story, written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, is substantial but a bit excessive. There’s a lot of correlation between each scene, but there’s also a number of unnecessary dialogues and happenings. But despite its 160-minute running time, the story never runs out of things to show you and situations that you need to think about. It also echoes a reality a la “Westworld,” but dutifully makes its own identity clear. There are very few plotholes, and it also proves that its a story that’s well-thought of and highly creative in terms of exposition.
Gosling and Ford is an amazing father-son type of tandem, and the largely female cast succeeds in building up the complication. de Armas is an exceptional talent, barely missing a beat when it comes to portraying a human-like hologram. Jared Leto, although underused again, makes for the perfect antagonist that sets up a scary future for K and his rebel team of replicants. Leto’s performance proves that he is an Oscar-worthy actor who’s sadly underrated. The return of Edward James Olmos as Gaff and the perfect CGI cameo of Sean Young’s Rachael did more than just fan service, but it’s placed there in a way that makes the story coherent. But as a fan of the original film, I couldn’t be more pleased and impressed.
The “Blade Runner” is a budding franchise that can probably span many other films, but considering how the sequel wraps it up to an overwhelming closure, it’s very unlikely. Whether you’re a fan or a casual moviegoer it’s something that would grip you from beginning to end, and would leave you in awe. “Blade Runner 2049” is a movie masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of neo-noir storytelling—and an artful sequel that’s a classic in its own right.