Great visuals, not so great movie

Rating: 7/10 (7 October 2017)

While you don't need to see the previous movie to be able to make it through this one, you will need someone involved to explain the big plot holes that exist so that the story can conclude the way it does. And that is really the biggest problem with this film - some characters acting very much out of the character from what you've been shown.
In short, K is a replicant himself, who is of a model supposed to obey his master humans (this is not explained well) and as a police officer blade runner is supposed to hunt down and kill all the old models that could actually think for themselves. And when retiring one at the beginning of the film, K discovers something that leads him to believe some connection with the replicants he is retiring and the need to investigate.
Is the film beautiful, yes. Does it feel dystopian... somewhat. Everything is too clean to actually be gritty. What the original got right was everything felt run down. This version felt like everything is depressed in a very visually beautiful way, which is a trademark of this film - gorgeous visuals. In that you can enjoy for 2.5 hours.
The story plods along although it is not boring. I looked at my watch a few times, very surprised. Part of it was because they tried to fit in pieces of the original but it just didn't work. It happens a few times such as the forced "skin jobs" term, a denigrating way to say "replicant" but it's forced and there only for the audience. As if K's long time boss forgot he was in the room and it never happened before?
But what really bothered me were the huge plot holes I will not reveal which existed solely to move on the story. The characters just didn't act the way you were shown at times. And this happens more than once, more critically a few times in the second half of the film. And they are done because there is no way the film can reach the next parts it needs without these huge departures in conduct that we are supposed to believe.
Some characters could have been cut out of the movie entirely, including the silliness that is K's companion, whom you'll be introduced to early on. The explanation about how she exists is also preposterous, and which later turns out to be a key point in the film. Some of these notions, like a relationship with an artificial, robot life form were better explored elsewhere as is a very critical plot point in this film - the most critical of them all. And when it is revealed, you'll known what film I am talking about.
In short, it is an interesting, overly long ride. It's very pleasing on the eyes but do not expect the masterpiece you're being led to believe. By the end of the film, you'll be wondering about Hollywood's inability to end anything and hoping to create yet another franchise. Wait for the director's cut if you must see this film, which is definitely not needed for those who appreciated the original for the statement it was.