Villeneuve did it. He actually did it.

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2017)

Imagine a bunch of corporate hacks making a sequel to Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner". Imagine the horrible dialogue, lack of expression, pointless action, telegraphed plot, soulless acting, generic score with mind-numbing pop songs, quick cuts, forced political messages, setting things up for another sequel...imagine those boxes being ticked in a boardroom, in order to make something truly meaningless and offensive to any sentient being. This is not it.
"Blade Runner 2049" is fantastic. In a time where every movie franchise is butchered in the name of lowest common denominator in an effort to turn them into brands only, this is almost too good to be true.
I'll describe this movie without spoilers. It's not an action movie. It's slow and takes its time. It isn't trying to cynically impress you. It's not interested in making the same movie again but it's still very familiar. It's not about grand happenings, it's surprisingly confined. It honors the original, works very well with it and also without it. It respects its audience enough. It's a thematic, long ride full of atmosphere, making you feel like you're in a trance. It downplays blunt-force emotional drama almost to the point of disconnect, but it really does have a heart. For a sequel that never should have been made, there's something genuine about this film.
I noticed something great in almost every scene: they're really intimate and tight. Most of the time we have only one or two people sharing a scene, and they're shot in a very personal way, elevating the themes. The dystopian world is just the background for the story, not the whole point of it. When a movie makes you think about humanity, individuality and soul, you want to have those moments without distractions and feel the scenes no matter what. "2049" absolutely nails this and the actors can really focus on their job and immerse the audience. The amount of restraint shown throughout this movie is remarkable. Less is indeed more.
Technically, "2049" is a triumph. Roger Deakins is a master of his craft. Yes, you get plenty of "Blade Runner shots" where light, shadows and reflections dance beautifully, but this movie isn't content in only mimicking the original. You'll see so much wonderful stuff here that film school students will have plenty of material for years to come. Cinematography, sets, designs, editing and effects are all superb and most of all elevate the story and its themes. It's an absolute treat to the eyes, it's majestic. Hats off to the entire production crew.
It's easy on the ears too. Vangelis composed a superior score before, and while I prefer a more melodic approach in general, the music here is a vital part of the experience. That powerful Zimmer noise gives us some "oomph" while the dreamy synths create an atmosphere. I'm not sure if it works outside the imagery, but it does capture some of the Vangelis mood without losing all personality. It's not afraid to stop either; silence is used effectively, and it has an impact every time. Let's not forget about the sound department - they deserve a round of applause. Whatever you hear is carefully thought out, mixed and produced. And once again it's not there to show off, it's there for a reason.
The cast was great. Gosling was a perfect fit and so much better than I hoped, Ana de Armas was a beautiful revelation (as was her character), and Harrison Ford clearly cared about his role. Jared Leto was a bit of a distraction for me, but I fully acknowledge that's my own fault: I have a habit of seeing Leto instead of a character. I snapped out of it soon though, and he did a good job. I liked Sylvia Hoeks, and even though Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis and Carla Juri also distracted me at first for whatever reason, they were great too. Everyone (including Dave Bautista) delivered, even those with small parts. I left out some names because I consider them spoilers.
Director Villeneuve, writers Fancher (welcome back sir!) + Scott + Green, cinematographer Deakins, the cast and the production crew pulled it off. "Blade Runner 2049" is a product of love and far better than it has any right to be. It works so well as a sequel and somehow still stands on its own legs. It made me appreciate the original "Blade Runner" even more in the process, and helped me to make peace with some of my old gripes about it.
If "2049" handled some of the exposition (and narrative flow) a little better and had a few more happy accidents here and there, I'd give this a 10 in a heartbeat. Perhaps - in time - I will.
"Blade Runner 2049" is expertly crafted and a wonderful film. I can't believe it exists, because just like the original, it's not a product of its time and it will be shunned by many. It's not quite art-house, but has a huge artistic quality to it. It allows you to ponder, sink deep into a mood and soak in every bit of the atmosphere. It's amazing how many things it got right, considering it's a sequel to one of the most loved movies of all time. It could've gone wrong in so many ways. It's got some rough edges and it isn't wholly original (and at times doesn't even want to be), but it's still true cinema and definitely worth seeing in a theater. My theater experience was great: charmingly small room, not too crowded, everyone was quiet, volume was up high. And when it ended, most of us just sat there quietly, still feeling that wonderful trance.
Is it better than the original? Doesn't matter, it's not even interested in such vain goals. If you're new to these movies, I envy you. You get to experience these masterful films for the first time.