Review of Blade Runner 2049 (2017) by Kay F — 26 Oct 2017

Ridley Scott's Blade Runner is perhaps the most influential science fiction movie ever made. Scott's dystopian vision has influenced so many filmmakers over the decades but I wanna dedicate this review to the people behind of the most recent Blade Runner movie that took 35 years in the making. I had to see Blade Runner three times in theaters to be able to write my review on it. It took me that long to process my thoughts about it because seeing it repeatedly might open new insights I could write about. Blade Runner 2049 is one of my most anticipated films of the year not because I'm a Blade Runner fan but because I am a fan of Denis Villeneuve's filmmaking style.

This man who is doing no wrong in my eyes right now brings excitement in his films, he doesn't improve in every movie he directed because he knows what he's capable of as a filmmaker and that's what he delivers in Enemy, Prisoners, Sicario & last year's Arrival where he got his first Oscar nomination for Best Director, simply makes him one of the most exciting filmmakers of our time. What he gives us this year is filmmaking as its finest.

You don't need to be a hardcore Blade Runner fan to appreciate 2049 because it is a stand alone film from start to finish. Ryan Gosling in his excellent performance plays Officer 'K' a.k.a Joe, who is also called a Blade Runner, tasked to hunt old replicants after Tyrell corporation went bankrupt. (For those who haven't seen the movie, I won't give away the story, but you'll know what I mean when you see this film) his work in his movie ranks as one of his best performances. Denis Villeneuve makes sure that we'd feel his emotion through his eyes and Gosling is excellent selling those emotions.

The supporting cast gives standout performances, too. Starting with Ana De Armas' work as Joi, Joe's hologram love interest who also brings most of film's emotional heft. De Armas' performance is so compelling, you can't take your eyes off her. Sylvia Hoeks gives a nomination-worthy performance as Luv, Wallace's sidekick who is the true villain of the movie. She's merciless and proves that she can kick as. She's captivating throughout. Harrison Ford has given a tremendous work as Rick Deckard, a role he once portrayed in the original movie. As well as the other supporting cast such as Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, Jared Leto and Barkhad Abdi.

A lot of people are complaining about its runtime, but the movie requires that pacing and runtime for us to fully realize the mystery of the movie. And 2049 was able to capture it beautifully. The movie is able to find ways to look fresh to us while sustaining its faithfulness to the source material.

Dennis Villenueve hires people who understands his approach, starting with his cinematographer and his third collaboration with Roger Deakins, whose been nominated for multiple Oscars but hasn't won any. His work in 2049 is masterful, unlike anything we've ever seen. Deakins has created a marvelous world that feels modern, but able to sustain the presence of the first movie. The visual style is astonishing, the sound design is palpable and groundbreaking. Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch musical composition is powerful. Right from the very first shot of the film, you are instantly in it. That's how powerful the score is. It captures the atmosphere and the mood of the entire movie. 2049 may earn Hans Zimmer his second Oscar-worthy work this year, after his staggering work for Dunkirk. I'd also like to highlight Johanne Johannson's 'main theme' that we got to listen from the movie, that particular track is stunning and blew me away.

BLADE RUNNER 2049 has joined the group of this year's very best films. It is a monumental achievement that defines what cinema was made for. One of the best movie sequels of all time and deserves to be called one of the greatest science fiction movies of all time.

The Movie of the Year.