One of the best sequels ever, and a Sci-Fi milestone.

Rating: 10/10 (31 May 2019)

On October 8, 2017; my first viewing of "Blade Runner 2049" had me at it's mercy. This hotly anticipated sequel to the 1982 classic "Blade Runner" was met with critical acclaim despite an underwhelming box office run. However; 2049 and it's predecessor, unlike tears in the rain, shall not vanish in Cinematic history.
This film is nothing short of a masterpiece. It's everything I could hope for in a movie and more. Say what you will about Hollywood churning out sequels to milk off nostalgia; but not all of them are just cheap cash grabs and have stories worth telling, and 2049 is a fine example of that.
This has all of the qualities that has made "Blade Runner" such a treasure among movie buffs and Sci-Fi fans alike, and dials them up to 11. Dazzling and majestic cinematography and special effects- both computer and practically made mixed with dynamic set designs. A bruising and immersive score by one of the best composers, Hans Zimmer, will have you listening to it on repeat.
It's artistically inclined storytelling will keeps you hypnotized by every frame, in spite of a slower pace. It's pacing, while some were turned off by it, is similar to films like The Godfather and even the original Blade Runner in how it allows you to soak in all of the awe and detail (not that there's anything wrong with fast paced movies either).
This film works as a worthy tribute to the original, while expanding the Blade Runner universe and taking it in bold and powerful directions. It continues to explore the question of what it means to be human in a world that has lost most traces of humanity, which makes it bleak and at times tragic, yet astonishingly beautiful and hopeful. It demands every second of your attention yet rewards it to it's fullest while leaving you hungry for more.
All of the performances are pitch- perfect. Ryan Gosling steals the show as Officer K, a detective with an emotional arc unique to Hollywood protagonists. His cold swagger, subtle charm and empathy keeps you rooting for him and waiting to see what he does next. Harrison Ford, in spite of whatever problems he may have had with "Blade Runner" in the past, is on fire as Rick Deckard. Rick may be jaded and rugged, but he's still the same human character we knew from 1982.
All of the key cast, from big stars to smaller characters and surprise cameos, are all a wonder to behold. Arguably the star of the show here is director Denis Villeneuve; who first earned massive recognition for his work on 2010's "Incendies", has continued to marvel me and gets me excited for "Dune" in 2020. He directs every scene with precision, energy and sheer passion.
I could probably make a long, spoiler-filled essay describing why each scene of this makes it a work of art; but I'll leave it at this- In the year of 2017; there were many great films ("Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri", "Coco"); and arguably 2049 stands among them as champions for why Hollywood continues to do good, whether or not these films made a billion dollars or not.

Grade- A+