Masters at work

Rating: 10/10 (17 October 2017)

Bladerunner 2049 is the sequel to the widely acclaimed original Sci Fi masterpiece Bladerunner, directed by Ridley Scott. The film is directed by Denis Villeneuve and stars Ryan Gosling as K, a Bladerunner who stumbles across a dark secret that leads to conflict, anguish and deep self-reflection; What is it that makes us human?
As I sit here and think of how to even begin to comprehensively summarise my thoughts on this modern Sci-Fi masterpiece, I listen to the penultimate track "Bladerunner" on Hanz Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch's mesmerising score for the film and realise that it perfectly summarises how I feel.
The song opens with no holds barred, a punchy introduction that thrusts you right into the tone of this world and refuses to let you go from that point onwards, just as the film does. This dystopia is saturated, and every frame drips with such colour and life that it appears cinematographer Roger Deakins is practically demanding your eye. Accompanied by a score and screenplay paralysing your body with intrigue, fear and anticipation from the very first frames, you will soon find yourself hooked.
The middle section of the track then flows in. Subtle, mysterious, revelatory. It coincides magnificently with the second act of the film which takes the staple question of the original(what is it to be human?) and asks it on a new level: does the ability to recall our past and remember our childhood make us human? We explore this through the character of K, Gosling's quiet and wonderfully subtle protagonist, attempting to find his place in the world accompanied by Ana de Armas' Joi, another enrapturing performance complimenting a very intriguing character. Through them we experience all the things that make us "human". Fear, anxiety, joy, a sense of belonging. The film has something to say about them all. And then we reach our conclusion. Surprise after surprise. shock upon shock. The film refuses to release you right up until the instant the credits start rolling.
Directed immaculately. Shot with a profound love for Ridley Scott's world and the craft of filmmaking. Scored to compliment each and every frame. Bladerunner 2049 is a true modern Sci-Fi masterpiece and a testament to how sequels should be done: nostalgic retrospect insighting new ideas, not acting as handcuffs, enabling the introduction of fresh and progressive ideas that new generations of moviegoers can ponder over for a long time to come.