Written by -
Jai Vijay Gulabani
Ridley Scott's accomplishments in the sci-fi genre are well known. His Blade Runner hit cinema screens worldwide in 1982, it turned out to be box office disappointment for the studio as the film was considered way ahead of its time. Before that Hollywood had a clear distinction of genres between science fiction and noir films. Blade Runner at that time was the perfect amalgamation of the two genres - something never attempted before in cinema history. With time and several re releases theatrically and many versions on Home Video (VHS, DVD and Bluray - Director's Cut & Final Cut) it began to have a cult following worldwide and is today considered one of the best science fiction films of all time. With a current score of 8.1 on IMDB, these credentials are well established.
Now before I begin reviewing Blade Runner 2049 I must tell you three things.
1- Do not watch Blade Runner 2049 first if you have not seen the original Blade Runner.
2- And the only way to enjoy and fully appreciate Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner is to get hold of the "Blade Runner - The Final Cut" copy on Bluray because it is the definitive version.
3- If you are expecting a fast paced typical mindless blockbuster - then this is not your film.
Blade Runner 2049 arrives with a story which is set thirty years later after the events of the original. An apocalyptic event called "The Blackout" has shifted the balance in favor of the replicants. Humans and replicants are now so deeply interwoven that is almost impossible to distinguish and separate them. The title sequence and background theme music transport you right back into the dystopian futuristic Los Angeles once again. Ryan Gosling (Officer K) is a Blade Runner on a mission where he encounters a replicant Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista) with a secret so big that it could change the course of human and replicant existential history forever. Officer K is led from one clue to another to uncover this mystery which turns out to be an incredible journey of self discovery. The keyword repeatedly thrown at us is "interlinked" because that's how deeply the plot is woven into the original's ending.
Jared Leto plays Niander Wallace, a corporate master who has taken the reigns of reinvigorating the replicant production after the blackout with upgraded versions. His obsessive streak and cold heartedness is a mirror to today's corporate bigwigs who believe in the coming age of A.I & human cloning while sidestepping the impact of such radical innovations on human society.
The two standout performers are Ryan Gosling and Ana de Armas (Joi) who plays an emotional and humanized holographic love interest to Gosling's soft spoken and lonely persona. It is ironic that the most human character in the story is the artificial holographic Joi. She has the most heart touching, funny and beautiful moments in the script, evoking love and emotional depth in what is a grim and pessimistic timeline. Harrison Ford returns as Deckard to carry the story forward, however this time around the focus is not on him but rather on the outcome of his actions during his younger days as a Blade Runner.
Director Denis Villeneuve has crafted a sensory and emotional masterpiece. I will dare stick my neck out and say he has outdone Ridley Scott by miles. He has shown complete ownership of this universe and improved on what was already good. He is definitely one of the top five Director's in Hollywood today and Blade Runner 2049 is his best film to date. Period! Yes, even better than "Sicario". The level of detailing in each and every frame is an experience to behold on the big screen.
In Roger Deakins as his cinematographer after "Sicario" he has found an equal partner who is passionate and capable of achieving the highest pinnacle of visual story telling. Special mention to the background score and the sound design which has always been an intrinsic part of the Blade Runner universe .While watching an hour of this film, it hit me - I was witnessing cinematic perfection after a very long time. I had to think very hard to find faults with what was playing out on the screen. The only thing that might stick out is the slow pace which today's audience may not be used to. But the slow pace here is intentional and not a folly of the screenplay.
"Blade Runner 2049" will be a reference point for many filmmakers and schools of cinema. The perfect blend of emotion, character study, technical wizardry and a mesmerizing script that plays out in its full glory. It is the absolute gold standard in film making and a science fiction masterpiece for ages to come. Don't be surprised if this one bags a few Oscars next season.
MUST WATCH !!!!!!!
SUBSCRIBE TO MOVIE GURU'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FILM REVIEWS AND UPDATES.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
https://youtu.be/ztcSxnAiIEk
Jai Vijay Gulabani
Ridley Scott's accomplishments in the sci-fi genre are well known. His Blade Runner hit cinema screens worldwide in 1982, it turned out to be box office disappointment for the studio as the film was considered way ahead of its time. Before that Hollywood had a clear distinction of genres between science fiction and noir films. Blade Runner at that time was the perfect amalgamation of the two genres - something never attempted before in cinema history. With time and several re releases theatrically and many versions on Home Video (VHS, DVD and Bluray - Director's Cut & Final Cut) it began to have a cult following worldwide and is today considered one of the best science fiction films of all time. With a current score of 8.1 on IMDB, these credentials are well established.
Now before I begin reviewing Blade Runner 2049 I must tell you three things.
1- Do not watch Blade Runner 2049 first if you have not seen the original Blade Runner.
2- And the only way to enjoy and fully appreciate Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner is to get hold of the "Blade Runner - The Final Cut" copy on Bluray because it is the definitive version.
3- If you are expecting a fast paced typical mindless blockbuster - then this is not your film.
Blade Runner 2049 arrives with a story which is set thirty years later after the events of the original. An apocalyptic event called "The Blackout" has shifted the balance in favor of the replicants. Humans and replicants are now so deeply interwoven that is almost impossible to distinguish and separate them. The title sequence and background theme music transport you right back into the dystopian futuristic Los Angeles once again. Ryan Gosling (Officer K) is a Blade Runner on a mission where he encounters a replicant Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista) with a secret so big that it could change the course of human and replicant existential history forever. Officer K is led from one clue to another to uncover this mystery which turns out to be an incredible journey of self discovery. The keyword repeatedly thrown at us is "interlinked" because that's how deeply the plot is woven into the original's ending.
Jared Leto plays Niander Wallace, a corporate master who has taken the reigns of reinvigorating the replicant production after the blackout with upgraded versions. His obsessive streak and cold heartedness is a mirror to today's corporate bigwigs who believe in the coming age of A.I & human cloning while sidestepping the impact of such radical innovations on human society.
MUST WATCH !!!!!!!
SUBSCRIBE TO MOVIE GURU'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR FILM REVIEWS AND UPDATES.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH
https://youtu.be/ztcSxnAiIEk
