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I’d heard good things about 1982’s Blade Runner for a very long time. The original release of that film was somewhat of a flop when it was released. Studio execs decided that the film would be able to convey its morally gray message more effectively by adding internal monologues to the main character, Deckard. It wasn’t until the film was later released on VHS with the director’s cut that the film was truly able to come into a league of its own- and it quickly garnered a cult following. Eventually the famous “final cut” was released, representing everything the director, Ridley Scott, had intended for his work.
The original Blade Runner was a landmark film. Based on the short story- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep- the film followed the adventures of Deckard, played by Harrison Ford. Deckard works as a Blade Runner: a detective responsible for hunting down and “retiring” sentient organic machines called replicants. The story is morally gray, dealing with themes of right and wrong and what makes a person a person. It’s intense, thought provoking, and visceral. The imagery and sound design are in a league of their own, and represent some of the best work ever put to cinema. Music blends into the locations, creating a gorgeous and surreal atmosphere. Gothic Tokyo infused cyberpunk sets help to sell viewers on the world of the film and the decrepit streets of this new Los Angeles. If I was reviewing that film, I would definitely say it’s deserving of a 9/10. The only problem, potentially, is the pacing- which shifts between slow and fast rather erratically. However- I think it works well.
Blade Runner 2049 is set 30 years after the original story- and deals with a new Blade Runner, a replicant called K, played by Ryan Gosling, hunting down other replicants. The plot connects seamlessly to the original, and the people who helped create this new film obviously cared tremendously about the 1982 film. The sound design, while not as good as the original, is still stellar and helps to set a great mood for the film. The visuals are, again, in a league of their own. With the help of modern technology they took the world of Blade Runner and made it look even more convincing and beautiful. It’s hard to watch this new film and see the streets of LA as anything but beautiful in some dark twisted way. The morally gray storytelling from the original is back, and expands on themes of morality and humanity in ways that feel natural and fit right in with the original. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Deckard, but plays an aged version of his character. Between Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling there’s some fantastic acting here. The action is paced fantastically, leading to a perpetual sense of tension and dread as the plot progresses. It’s almost as if they had always planned on a sequel and just needed to wait for Harrison Ford to be older before making it.
If you’re able to watch the original final cut, and you enjoy it, then the sequel is a must watch. I found myself even more entertained and invested in Blade Runner 2049 than the original- and I’d easily give it a 10/10. Definitely one of the best sequels I’ve ever had the pleasure to see.
The original Blade Runner was a landmark film. Based on the short story- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep- the film followed the adventures of Deckard, played by Harrison Ford. Deckard works as a Blade Runner: a detective responsible for hunting down and “retiring” sentient organic machines called replicants. The story is morally gray, dealing with themes of right and wrong and what makes a person a person. It’s intense, thought provoking, and visceral. The imagery and sound design are in a league of their own, and represent some of the best work ever put to cinema. Music blends into the locations, creating a gorgeous and surreal atmosphere. Gothic Tokyo infused cyberpunk sets help to sell viewers on the world of the film and the decrepit streets of this new Los Angeles. If I was reviewing that film, I would definitely say it’s deserving of a 9/10. The only problem, potentially, is the pacing- which shifts between slow and fast rather erratically. However- I think it works well.
Blade Runner 2049 is set 30 years after the original story- and deals with a new Blade Runner, a replicant called K, played by Ryan Gosling, hunting down other replicants. The plot connects seamlessly to the original, and the people who helped create this new film obviously cared tremendously about the 1982 film. The sound design, while not as good as the original, is still stellar and helps to set a great mood for the film. The visuals are, again, in a league of their own. With the help of modern technology they took the world of Blade Runner and made it look even more convincing and beautiful. It’s hard to watch this new film and see the streets of LA as anything but beautiful in some dark twisted way. The morally gray storytelling from the original is back, and expands on themes of morality and humanity in ways that feel natural and fit right in with the original. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Deckard, but plays an aged version of his character. Between Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling there’s some fantastic acting here. The action is paced fantastically, leading to a perpetual sense of tension and dread as the plot progresses. It’s almost as if they had always planned on a sequel and just needed to wait for Harrison Ford to be older before making it.
If you’re able to watch the original final cut, and you enjoy it, then the sequel is a must watch. I found myself even more entertained and invested in Blade Runner 2049 than the original- and I’d easily give it a 10/10. Definitely one of the best sequels I’ve ever had the pleasure to see.