Review of Blade Runner 2049 (2017) by Kevin K — 10 Oct 2017

"Blade Runner 2049" is drop dead gorgeous. I cannot count how many times I looked at the film in awe of what was on screen. Each of these shots, backed up by a loud, fantastic sci-fi score, is destined to amaze each viewer. It is no doubt that the film is directed perfectly. However, the direction is clouded by a simple plot and an very long run time. While "Blade Runner 2049" tries to expand on the 1982 classic, it falls due to a near 3 hours run time and a lackluster story.

The film begins with Officer K (Ryan Gosling) flying over to a farm owned by a Nexus 6 replicant. Officer K, a replicant Blade Runner of the LAPD, is sent over to "retire" the owner, which leads to a brutal battle between the two of them. In the aftermath, Officer K scans the rest of the area to find a box buried deep below a tree. This would lead to a box of bones, leading Officer K to question who he really is and what his purpose is. Without going into too much detail (aka minor spoiler), the initial investigation in the box of bones hints that replicants may be able to reproduce. This leads to a collision course between Niander Wallace (Jared Leto), a replicant manufacturer who has built them to obey commands, and Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD Blade Runner who has been missing for 30 years.

If you are confused by that last paragraph, I will assume that you have never watched the 1982 "Blade Runner." It is imperative that you watch the first film before seeing "Blade Runner 2049." While the film does give some background, it acts as more of a refresher for viewers who have already seen the first film. There are flashbacks to the original film but only viewers who have seen the film will truly understand their significance.

While there are some high points in the film (direction, score, acting), they are clouded by an overstretched plot. The plot itself is interesting. The major aspect that damages the story is the run time. In shot, this is a two hour plot that takes nearly 3 hours to finish. At least one-third of the film is padded with fluff that should have been cut out of the final version of the film. One example is the weird sex scene between Officer K, his holographic wife, and a prostitute. While I understand Director Denis Villeneuve was trying to create a visual spectacle - as well as develop Officer K's character - but the scene lasted five minutes longer than what it needed to be. There are a few more instances like this that do not affect the storyline that could have been cut.

Another mixed reaction is the use of Harrison Ford in the film. It is understandable that Ford's presence in the film helps advertise the film to new audiences, his character was not needed. The plot did not need his character in the film. While it was great to see Deckard return for the second film, his appearance is limited. With the character physically in the film for only 45 of the film makes me question if the addition of Deckard was more for promoting the film than a necessity for the story. It would have been easier if the film stuck to flashbacks rather than a full appearance from Deckard.

"Bade Runner 2049" was a disappointment. Clocking in at 164 minutes, the film is too long for a plot that only needed two-thirds of that run time to complete. The film is directed beautifully. However, a beautiful film cannot hide a long run time and a less-than complicated plot.

Grade: D+.