Review of Blade Runner 2049 (2017) by Julio P — 10 Oct 2017

An utterly organic evolution of the notions expressed in 1982. The film breathes in & out waves of embryonic ocean water as our empathy is ever so much increased at every crest for a being who is becoming more "real" moment by moment.

Aside from Agent K's arch, the film intimates grandiose designs by would be despots for their want of being God, but fortunately, we don't become mired in those as tropes. Indeed, Leto's Wallace is a fine coloring for a film world rich in want and desire, if often misguided.

Our antagonist is truth itself, hope and the potential for disappointment, and the ever human ability to survive expectations of a truth revealed falling like tears in rain. This movie is so focused on the REAL THINGS that are important that I expect some will not know how to tolerate the films lack of interest in certain plot developments, such as the one of, well, for fear of spoiling, let's just say, the one-eyed, singularly minded idealist.

Blade Runner 2049 is a masterpiece, absolutely. It has also successfully fused the tech reality of the imagined 2019, with the notions one might imagine for iPhone 14. There is philosophy in this movie, but again, it isn't interested in teaching you anything, and so pretentiousness is not one of its sins.

This movie has exceeded my expectations on all fronts. One particularly enjoyable turn in this movie is the antagonistic personification embodied in Sylvia Hoeks, a bad ass, super witty & intelligent replicant who suffers the annihilation of her potential soul with every dark act she commits for the love and affection of her father figure played by Leto.

It's a choice we see so many people become destroyed by and here it isn't just cute allegory, but the root for our own affection for this vicious bad gal. The weakest link, unfortunately, is Robin Wright, who never seems to figure out what kind of character she is playing.

She's a competent actor, no doubt, but her performance still seems a bit jagged around the edges, not really having made it past the dress rehearsal phase and that can't be entirely her fault. On the other hand, the same could be said of Emmitt Walsh's performance, her counter point from the original.