A different Blade Runner

Rating: 8/10 (10 June 2018)

This review contains spoilers.
Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to Blade Runner. The movie is directed by Denis Villeneuve and stars Ryan Gosling. The movie takes place 30 years after the end of the first movie. Ryan Gosling plays officer K, a replicant police office, investigating a mystery of a replicant child that underwent a natural birth.
Blade Runner 2049 is a beautiful movie. The movie is gorgeously shot with images that will stock with the viewer. Denis Villeneuve is an excellent director that was able to capture the spirit of the original movie with his own style. Denis Velleneuve is also able to convey emotions on the screen without dialogue simply by showing visuals. The visual aspect is easily the best part of this movie and any scene has the classic Blade Runner feel to it.
The story can be hit or miss for the audience. Much of the movie is about Officer K. Ryan Gosling does a good job in his portrayal of the character but much of the movie revolves around K's actions to other characters. This is where the audience's involvement in the character's struggle is important. Throughout the movie, K believes himself to be the chosen one, the replicant that was born from a human father and replicant mother. This narrative is supported by Joi. The entire movie is the investigation of this. The audience needs to care about this story arc. However some elements of the movie are weak that prevent fully enjoyment and engrossment into this part of the movie. Niander Wallace, played by Jared Leto, has weak scenes and does not feel like a developed character. He simply wants the child for profit. Likewise, a replicant resistance movement wanted to protect the child. The motives and evidence is not completely clear and some of this feel intentional. The ending with K finding Deckard is also out of place as K had lost track of Luv at this point. Somehow he was able to find Deckard's convoy and was able to shoot down the correct cars. This felt strange to me as up to this point, the movie felt logical.
The movie's minor flaws are not enough to prevent enjoyment of the movie. Ryan Gosling is great on the screen and I became engrossed in the story. It was great revisiting the Blade Runner universe and seeing its themes were still intact. I also enjoyed the dynamic between K and Joi.
Blade Runner 2049 is highly recommended.
Grade: A