The original Blade Runner has this huge importance in the world of film.
A sci-fi noir that became a cinematic classic, it was eventually cut twice more before reaching a state that ultimately pleased Director Ridley Scott.
35 years later, and with actor Harrison Ford currently returning to roles that grew his fame, we see a sequel to the ambitious and ambiguous tale of a divided futuristic world where the synthetic humans, Replicants, start to rebel against man.
And with current genius Director Denis Vileneuve taking the reins of the Blade Runner universe, will the series continue its dominance in the social mindset as an incredible example of sci-fi noir?
Or will it be lost in time, like tears in rain?
Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new Blade Runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos.
His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner who’s been missing for 30 years.
Getting the opportunity to view any film on IMAX is always a pleasure, but Blade Runner 2049…it almost feels like the kind of film IMAX was built for. The last time I thought that was with The Dark Knight, and while others have come that have used the technology just as well, 2049 finds itself presented stunningly as it spreads itself across the giant screen.
Deep blacks darken the cinema as red text shimmers across the screen and hark! A lovely note from Denis.
He asks that we try to keep what we have experienced to ourselves; To allow others to see the film their way and to discuss after.
And it’s true.
2049 is a film that can be digested in many ways. Hours after, my friend and I were still unpacking the many ideologies, themes and tone that crawled throughout the movie.
Impressive in scope and just as mysterious, Blade Runner 2049 is one of those sequels that utilises what came before it to expand upon the world, rather than retread it.
The eye of Roger Deakins, Director Of Photography, who has collaborated with Vileneuve on other acclaimed films (Prisoners, Sicario) to meticulously craft his vision, continues with 2049 – so loving and realised that it is sure to finally win him the coveted Oscar for which he has been nominated countless times.
If you loved the first film, you will love this.
If you are impartial to the first film, you will find moments in this that make it a spectacle.
If you haven’t seen the first film, then I suggest you do as it provides these morsels throughout that create a gourmet.
I won’t say anything else, but just see this film. See it in IMAX where it will pull you into an unknown future; One where you too will wonder if it’s androids that dream of electric sheep…or people.
Summary
The stuff movie dreams are made of, Blade Runner 2049 should walk away with the commercial success the former lacked, while becoming just as renowned.
