Blade Runner 2049

IN the year 2049, 30 years after the events of the first Blade Runner movie, LAPD Officer K (Gosling) is tasked to hunt down and kill a renegade group of synthetically–created ­humans known as Replicants.
While on a case, he unearths a secret that could change the ­dynamic of Human–Replicant ­relationships. The mystery ­eventually leads K to Rick Deckard (Ford).
Emotions play a prominent role in telling this story. For some, like Gosling’s ­character, emotions are spent ­carefully.
In his case, he starts the film as a well composed, cold ­machine, and as we delve deeper into the enigma, he begins to ­unravel.
Others, like Joi (de Armas), a holographic companion with whom K has a romantic attachment, get to express a full range of emotions.
Blade Runner 2049 is visually gorgeous, and has an unforgettable soundtrack. I will be shocked if the movie does not win accolades for cinematography, set design, music, and sound.
Each set piece is an experience, and I firmly believe that this movie should be watched in a cinema with the biggest screen, and the best sound system you can find.
However, to thoroughly enjoy this film, one must watch the first one.
The world of Blade Runner (1982) has a distinctive style that does not conform to conventional ­expectations and understanding of futuristic worlds.
Blade Runner 2049 also shares some of the same archetypes and plots as Blade Runner.
Without watching the first movie, the world of Blade Runner 2049 can be a long trudge ... a long 163–minute–long trudge.
The pretty pictures, startling sounds, and twists in the story may keep some engaged, but certainly not everyone.
Although I loved the long vistas, a more concise movie would have had more mass appeal. Despite all the movie’s flaws, I feel it is fair to say that it still has a niche appeal.
The overarching theme of the first movie, and the book it is based on, is empathy. Blade Runner 2049 continues the story with the theme of love.
Personally, I look forward to what comes next.
– Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Ana de Armas
– Director: Denis Villeneuve
– E–Value: 6
– Acting: 7
– Plot: 5