Review of Blade Runner 2049 (2017) by Karinne B — 08 Oct 2017

I had doubts about whether the sequel would be able to faithfully follow the original's stunning soundscape and entrancing visuals, but it stayed faithfully close to both, almost to a fault. While the world expanded into territories unseen in the first Blade Runner, it felt consistent and continuous and not like a departure, but the city realm remained nearly identical to its past incarnation, bringing up questions about how this civilization seemed unchanged after thirty years. In the end, I would prefer its direct reduplication of the earlier sets over a less satisfying new interpretation.

The soundtrack borrows heavily from the original Vangelis score, but boosts its power in a way more congruent with composer Hans Zimmer's more canon, and maybe tired, booming compositions. The score pushes the mood of the film persistently into a deeper and darker place, and left me emotionally fatigued. The single standout weakness of the film was the lack of compelling antagonists. Blade Runner 2049's are far from the compelling portrayals of Roy and Pris who round out the counterpoints to the philosophical questions posed in the original. Instead, we get Jared Leto outfitted with white contacts and a bionic ear implant, I suppose to not so subtly emphasize that he is a strange and evil outsider, with attempts at poetic philosophical musings that come off more like entries from the diary of a moody teenager who has just read his first Camus novel. Leto's android assistant never quite comes together as a coherent character, and seems to waver inexplicably between cold immorality and bursts of empathy.

The most absorbing moments are spent with K, played by Ryan Gosling with a reticence we have come to expect from him. His silent, meaningful stares provide breathing space in a film that could be overwhelming with its expansive sound and images.

Blade Runner 2049 may not take many risks, but provides a stunning homage to the original and will leave you quiet and reflective in its immersive exploration of what it means to be real.