Blade Runner 2049 - no spoilers

[gary]

When the original Blade Runner had its theatrical release 35 years ago,
it had mixed reviews and only took modest box office receipts.

Critics pointed out its slow pace and thin plot.

But those who praised it were in awe of the look and feel of the film.
It was modern-day film noir depicting a non-utopian future where it
is polluted, over-crowded, dangerous and nearly always raining.

Over time it became a cult classic.

The 2007 25th Anniversary "Final Cut" version saw it digitally remastered
and the much maligned voice-over narration was removed. The film's
producers had insisted on the narration to help explain the film
but Harrison Ford argued it did not belong and was quoted as saying he
intentionally did a bad job of the narration in the hope they wouldn't
use it.

For a film that has such as large cult following and which was selected
to be preserved in the Library of Congress for being "culturally,
historically, or aesthetically significant", it was going to be a hard act to
follow for any sequel.

Blade Runner 2049 is a long, deliberately slow paced film.

It is sombre, magnificent and beautiful.

Roger Deakins lighting and cinematography is breathtaking.
It will be disappointing if his work is not Oscar nominated and even more
disappointing if it does not win best cinemaphotography. I am not sure
what else one would have to do to win the accolade.

Denis Villeneuve has clearly endeavoured to direct a film that is serious
and that is designed to last the test of time like the original.

Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Robin Wright, Sylvia Hoeks and Harrison Ford
provide exceptional performances.

Music soundtrack from Hans Zimmer includes echoes of the original film.

If you didn't like the original Blade Runner, then you most likely not
like the sequel.

So many films these days are disposable entertainment. Blade Runner 2049
is not but instead a film that I am confident will also pass the test of time.

It is a subtle, melancholy, thought-provoking and immersive experience.

See it on the biggest screen you can.

[beren]

Can't wait to see it later next week, the original is one of my favorites. Been meaning to read Philip k Dicks "Do androids dream of electric sheep" for ages

[wavelandscott]

Just made my son watch the Final cut in anticipation of seeing the new one soon. While I prefer the book, I remember when the movie came out and it was an experience.

[blink138]

the original was a giant of sci fi for me!
pat

[rally]

Thought the original was one of the best movies of the times and still rate it as one of my absolute favourites.

Just got home from watching the new sequel tonight and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I think to get the most out of it - you need to have seen the original.
There are lots of little subtleties that would not only be completely missed that add a greater appreciation of the not so obvious plot development, but also add some of the continuity that makes the sequel a logical extension.
Would love to comment on lots of aspects of the film and the plots, but dont want to be a spoiler or set any expectations.

If you loved the first one I expect you will love this one too

I can say the audience was completely captivated and you didnt want to miss a single word or piece of relevance - all the way to the very end.

The only shame is - it took them so . . . . long to release a sequel !
On the balance of probabilities I simply can't wait another 35 years for No. 3.

[gary]

Hi Rally,

That's interesting.

I can say that at the 9pm session I was at, the audience was absolutely silent.

Rare for the movies these days.

So much so that one grew conscious of how captivated they were, hanging
off every word.

Best regards

Gary

[multiweb]

Looking forward to go seeing this one.

[ZeroID]

Excellent if a little loud with too much 'horn' play trying to add to the drama. I'll get the BluRay when it comes out so I can go back and analyse some of the trickier bits.
Supposedly answers 'all' the questions left hanging from the first but I wonder if there is a sequel to this one day.. 'The rise of the Replicants' maybe.

[Octane]

No Vangelis? Boo!

Can’t wait to see it!

H

[gary]

A couple of weeks ago, Warner Brothers also released three short prequels
to correspond with the release of the film.

These were commissioned by Warner Brothers and Denis Villeneuve
and are created by other filmmakers.

BLADE RUNNER 2049 - "Black Out 2022" Anime Short
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZk9sSgRyQ

BLADE RUNNER 2049 - "2036: Nexus Dawn" Short
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgsS3nhRRzQ

BLADE RUNNER 2049 - "2048: Nowhere to Run" Short
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ9Os8cP_gg

Though they are prequels, I'd suggest to watch them after you have seen
Blade Runner 2049.

[GeoffW1]

Yeh,

He is still with us, so that would have been perfect. Actually most of the originals too. Daryl Hannah really was a gymnast but they did use a stand-in. However Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, etc are different now. Um.

The atmospherics of the film were just awesome.

Cheers

[ZeroID]

It rained .... a lot !

[wavelandscott]

Saw it today and really enjoyed it. In an aside the power went out in the theater with about 7 minutes to go...we waited for power to be restored to see the end.

When the film stopped and the emergency lights turned on, the audience sat in stunned silence for a few minutes trying to figure out if that was the end or not.

[gary]

Hi Scott,

EMP? :)
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZk9sSgRyQ

I went back to the cinema & viewed it a second time last night.

A master class in film making.

[wavelandscott]

I have not watched the shorts yet but I had not considered an EMP...a strongish thunder storm came through so I assume that was the cause but now 8 will double check.

Either way, the show was enjoyable to me.

[multiweb]

Going to see it tonight. :cool:

Enjoyed it. Lots of little bits thrown in reminiscent of the first one. Clever story and use of colors and lights. Great imagery. Was I the only one waiting for the score to hit those high notes in the fly over scenes? :lol:

[sil]

Good to see the response is positive. I've avoided looking into it, just another cash cow remake i figured. Will have to wait for bluray release and give it a try, i hope there are six releases before we get the one to watch.

[Visionary]

It is sounding like a must see!

[Octane]

It's not a remake -- it's a continuation of the story. :)

H

[sil]

LOL, WHICH story? :)... glad I only have one bluray version instead of the six dvd versions I also have. just lent my bluray to a workmate, the youngster has never seen bladerunner which is hard for me to get my head around :)

[wavelandscott]

In reflection on my movie experience with this film I would be remiss if I did not remark on the audience in attendance.

I was struck by the gender and age of those watching in the theater. 90% male and nearly all in the 40-60 age range. I have not seen so many beer bellies and goatees in one place (beyond exotic dance halls or astronomy forums) in a long long time.

[multiweb]

... all with a perfect right eye. :lol:

[LostInSp_ce]

Just got around to seeing this and must say it's definitely one to see on the big screen. If you can IMAX it. No spoilers here but the visuals are second to none and the sound oh the sound is MAGNIFICENT!

[The_bluester]

I went to see it with Andy01 last night.

What a way to draw on and expand the story line of the original! great visuals as people have posted above, and while Vangelis was missing I reckon the score evoked Vangelis enough to tie the two movies together nicely. I liked the way they also kept the "Tech" in the movie quite faithful to the original as well, you could easily imagine technology and hardware evolving from what was pictured in the original to what was pictured in the new one. Contrast that to something like Star Wars EP1 where people had to try to explain way the "Devolution" of imaginary starship design from the sleek chrome beauties of EP1 to the very 1970's origami and scaffolding of the original movies.

And a nicely non NON Hollywood ending, throwing up questions rather than answers, just like the first time around.

I agree with Gary's post at the start of this thread, if you don't like the original, you probably won't like this one either. I am not sure if my wife will take to it but I am dead sure I will watch it again on a big screen, I know I looked down for a moment as some food arrived (Gold class, yay) and realised I had missed something and thought to myself "I am going to regret that in half an hour or so"

[Andy01]

For me it was well worth the wait!
Faithfully recreates Ridley’s original vision & builds on the original story & design. Visually incredible, sound was awesome (even without Vangelis) and the pace was majestic.
A rare sequel that matches the original!

[dpastern]

Late to this thread, even though I saw the film a day after opening night.

Firstly - the original Bladerunner is a work of art. One of the great films of the 20th century. I don't really care much for critics, most of them are so far up themselves with self importance it's sickening.

Anyway, onto Bladerunner 2049 - the acting was very good, although I would have liked to have seen more of Deckard. Perhaps a bit too slow, but captivating nevertheless. Music was good, but not as good as the original imho. Visuals were good, but not as good as the original either imho, but not far from.

And I must mention Ana de Armas - she is absolutely GORGEOUS!

[beren]

Got to see the film today, really enjoyed it , even my wife who was reluctant to go liked it {sections of the audience even applauded as the film finished } . Agree entirely with Garys original post :thumbsup: dont miss seeing it on the big screen

[Octane]

Seeing tomorrow night. Really looking forward to it!

H

[pfitzgerald]

I went and saw it on Friday night - what a great film - visually very well done, soundtrack also - even if it wasn't done by Vangelis - Zimmer did a great job. Plot and and character development were also very good. I made a point of re-watching the 'Final Cut' of the original which was well worth doing. BR2049 certainly came alive on the big screen.

[dpastern]

Let us know what you think!

[Octane]

My friend who I was meant to go with pulled out. It's been postponed until next week.

H

[dpastern]

Damn H!

[Octane]

Finally got to see this last night.

My goodness, what an incredible work of art! I was captivated the entire duration of the film. The cinematography and music were superb. A great continuation of the story!

H

[pfitzgerald]

Totally agree with you 'H' - Vangelis's original soundtrack is by far and away my favourite soundtrack, but Zimmer did a superb job of adding to audio landscape. The cinematography was breathtaking.

[DeepSkyBagger]

Saw it myself a few weeks ago. I found it a very worthy successor to the original - I have no doubt it will come to be considered as much a classic as its predecessor.

Loved it.

[LewisM]

Reviving this.

Just watched it last night, and I have to say it is a stunning masterpiece. So faithful to the original, and the background tones and music set the mood just as sharply - if not more so - than the original. I sat there completely immersed and riveted.

Nothing to dislike IMHO.

[dpastern]

I've already bought it on Blu ray and watched it once more. Needs more showings, but I totally agree with you H. Thoroughly enjoyable movie!



Agreed!

[Octane]

My wife hated the first one. I'll subject her to this, too.

She also said that Mad Max Fury Road was 3 hours of her life she's never getting back. Hahaha!

H

[dpastern]

haven't seen mad max fury road, but didn't like the trailer, so prolly won't like it.

But, the original Blade Runner is a classic movie. How can your wife hate it!

have you seen "predestination"? One of the very best movies I've seen in many a year. I like a movie that makes me think (even if it hurts in my extreme old age lol!).

[beren]

Blade Runner received the Best Cinematography and Visual Effects Oscars, well deserved Roger Deakins for cinematography. Thought Sylvia Hoeks should have been nominated supporting actress for her role as 'Luv"

[gaseous]

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I enjoyed the first Bladerunner, but Bladerunner 2049? SNOOOOOZEFEST. Putting it on at 9.00pm probably wasn't a great idea, not realising how long it was, but there must be something seriously wrong with me if nearly everyone is waxing lyrical about this film and I just wanted it to end because it was so drawn out and boring. Beautiful cinematography, sure, but people could be in serious danger of slipping into a coma watching this. The same goes for Mad Max - there were perfectly good tax invoices that I could have been gleefully sorting instead of watching this.