Blade Runner 2049
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Jared Leto
2h 43min | Thriller, Science Fiction | 15
Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic Blade Runner, which was set in 2019. Director Denis Villeneuve picks up 30 years after the stylish cult classic left off, engaging with the existential concerns of androids. However Scott’s crazily and still futuristic imagination of Los Angeles and the world in 2019 was probably the reason why Villeneuve didn’t see the point of reinventing the world. Instead Villeneuve focuses on the relations between robots – actually replicants is probably the more accurate and technical definition – and humans.
Villeneuve earns and completely masters every second of this lengthy film. While some might have been snoring and barely being able to stay awake to watch the film, my fellow audience members and I could not keep our eyes off the screen with our brains working at full power to comprehend the gripping film. It is visually breathtaking, with unreal graphics and a perfect soundtrack chosen for every scene. It makes the whole film worthwhile.
The cast from main protagonist Officer K played by Ryan Gosling to Mr Wallace played by Jared Leto were perfectly chosen and surprisingly suited to their roles.
Gosling’s cool charisma and mean, handsome face fit perfectly with K. Gosling himself seems not human at times looking like he’s doesn’t have any emotions while having that cool, calm, collected personality and ability to operate as a machine made him the obvious choice.
The return of Harrison Ford as Deckard was something to expect and Ford never disappoints from nearly 30 years on he always has his touch. Jared Leto as probably the most villainous character in the film Mr Wallace, I mean not much to say, as anyone who could play The Joker could play any bad guy in any film. Other characters in the film were also excellent with Joi played by Ana de Armas, Mr Wallace’s favourite ‘angel’ (what he calls his creation of replicants) Luv played by Sylvia Hoeks and K’s commanding officer Joshi played by Robin Wright.
The story focuses on officer K hunting down old replicants and on a routine mission he makes a startling discovery which ties him to Deckard from the original film.
This discover means lots of detective work and many deeply hidden secrets being unveiled throughout the film. Officer K starts to question his own existence and emotions. The film, even though thoroughly entertaining sci-fi it, was actually a bit of everything from mystery to thriller and action. Romance and drama too. Replicants are not meant to have emotions and are just meant to be slaves to humans. However the possibility of a revolution and that replicants do have souls and feelings soon arises. These feelings could be seen in the relationship between Joi and K, one an AI projection, the other a replicant, yet their love for each other was undeniable.
So I’m not just thoroughly recommending the film and that you should definitely go see it but you will regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t.
On another note since replicants want to be free, here’s a little poem of hope for them:
Is there hope in this world
With racism everywhere
With inequality everywhere
With fighting, tension and sadness everywhere
What hope is there in this world
The hope is Me and You.
Rating: ⭑⭑⭑⭑
All images via Facebook.com/BladeRunnerOfficial
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