[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.