Blade Runner 2049: Movie Review (No Spoilers)

By Michael Momper

In a world full of mindless and trivial sci-fi movies that often unravel to be little more than quick cash-grabs, it is a SEQUEL that stands alone in 2017 as the most thought-provoking, riveting, and beautifully photographed sci-fi film yet. Blade Runner 2049 is an achievement in filmmaking on its own, but it is absolutely astounding to me that it can so accurately capture the atmosphere and philosophical musings of its source material that came 35 years before it.

Regrettably, the sci-fi film industry has decided to masquerade behind a shiny facade of CGI as effects have become more stunningly realistic; this facade usually serves as a distraction to the fact that there is little emotional depth, and very little rumination on parallels between the futuristic world created therein and our world today (movies with a lot to look at but little to say, such as "Jupiter Ascending", come to mind). Director Dennis Villenueve, however, is no sucker for hollow blockbuster filmmaking. His repertoire, which includes the highly acclaimed films Sicario, Prisoners, and Arrival, serves as proof that he much prefers a template of deeply human emotion, as well as grueling and profound philosophical resonance. In my opinion, Blade Runner 2049 achieves these ends moreso than even his most stand-out work in years past.

It cannot be understated how difficult of a task it is to replicate the mood of a masterpiece in originality such as Ridley Scott's original Blade Runner; but Villenueve manages to capture the dystopian atmosphere beautifully, and also takes advantage of a fantastic script to continue the sleuthy neo-noir thrills that Ridley Scott was able to bring us 35 years ago. With a twisting and grueling plot, Blade Runner 2049 manages to have a complex and exciting detective plot at its core, even while asking (and often times answering) the vexing mysteries of being human in a Huxley-esque world full of human knock-offs. The careful attention to detail that Villanueve brings us is proof of his adoration for the original film, showing the same depravity and grim social outlook that Scott's original dystopia brought forth, and most certainly through a cautionary lens. Gorgeous but haunting cinematography ensues, as the careful shadow-play of a true neo-noir action piece comes to the forefront. We are met with constant glimpses of hulking, intimidating technology, constant rain in a fog-shrouded Los Angeles, the persistent flashing of neon lights from beckoning sin, and an empty, elegantly untouched Las Vegas hotel. All of these images and more combine to lurch us into this haunting futuristic world, and though we are fascinated, we can't help but ponder the parallels to our modern state of technological dependence.

Part of what makes this movie click so well is the superb acting by lead actor Ryan Gosling, as he evokes a deeply stoic but reflective wanderer similar to his Drive character. He is hardened and resilient, perfectly encapsulating the needed lead of a hard-boiled detective in a futuristic world. His performance is understated and nuanced, but he is a powerful presence on screen as usual. Robin Wright, as his police captain, is also a perfectly chosen complement, in that she is tough and stringent in her plans for the city. Harrison Ford is spectacular in his return as Deckard, and he is actually more emotionally affecting than I think I have ever seen him, as he fights for survival after years of introversion.

In a movie as profound as this, though, certainly the most essential piece of the film is its thought-provoking reflection on the human condition. Villenueve is not afraid to tackle thorny themes of realism and self-image, propelling the audience to join in the experience. As Gosling's character, Officer K, struggles with the fact and fiction of his memories, we are prompted to also reflect on how imperfect our memories are as well. I found myself thinking about my own choices in the parallels that the movie drew to the present day, and in echoes of A Brave New World we are also drawn to the comparison of pain and happiness with pleasure and numbness. The philosophical themes are pulled off perfectly and never felt overly burdensome or pretentious to me (I feel it important to note here that this is NOT a fast-paced shoot-em-up action movie, if that is what you were expecting).

This is a movie that demands a second viewing due to its many moving parts and beautiful escapism. I think it will be a constant contender in Oscar season no doubt, and for fans of the original movie, it will surely be an ultimately rewarding experience at the theater!