Elite company

Rating: Null/10 (7 October 2017)

Early buzz made me apprehensive about Blade Runner 2049- "What if it's been so long since the first that its appeal is confounded by sympathy?" was a thought that ran through my head. But I was wrong. 2049 is one of an elite few sequels that justifies its existence, but more importantly it is an excellent film in its own right that respects the shadow of its predecessor without hiding in it or deviating into something unrecognizable.
I could describe the tone of 2049 as the feeling you get when you sit in a big chair after a workout. There is a sense of relaxation mixed with lingering pain and psychological excitation. 2049 does not rush, taking its time to tell its story over 2 and a half hours. There is a bleakness in its vision of society which seemed even harsher than the original's did, notably 2049's subtle inclusion of climate change as a motif. This mixes with a familiar visual design of neon lights, billboards, and persistent rain which is strangely comforting. The score is a high point, respectfully incorporating aspects of Vangelis' dreamy synthesizers with modern and amazingly thunderous bass. The sounds of 2049 perfectly summarize its engaging atmosphere.
As a brief aside, I'd like to mention my thoughts on one aspect of how dystopia has changed over the past 35 years. Old money Tyrell is gone, and the role of industrialist Wallace is now played by the much younger Jared Leto. I think this is appropriate and reflective of the times where tech giants are run by the young and savvy, exemplified by Mark Zuckerberg. Wallace has a serious god complex evident in how he speaks, and time will see if reality follows suit.
I'd really like to emphasize how wonderfully audio-visual 2049 is. The various settings are mesmerizing, and even though it is easy to get focused on the plot, taking time to simply absorb the colours and design is enjoyable on its own. The original had some simple images that have since been burned into my mind, such as Deckard sipping a drink and having a little of his own blood diffuse into the drink as he puts it down. The same effect occurs here, but without any feeling of inferiority or deliberate attempt to match its predecessor.
What truly validates 2049 is its plot and major themes. I won't say anything about the plot, but will say that it wonderfully scaled. This is a small but significant story in a bigger world of problems, and the film doesn't try to solve everything or make grand, sweeping statements. The film respects your intelligence, not spelling out how devices work or where K goes in certain sequences. It's up to you to arrive at conclusions. Sometimes sci- fi gets scared it alienates its audience and will over-explain; 2049 does not. The most significant strength of this film is that it explores current and relevant issues surrounding life and technology, building upon the original but having its own angle and introducing its own ideas. Ultimately, 2049 takes risks that contemporaries such as Star Wars did not, and they pay off.
Blade Runner 2049 is truly excellent. I spent a lot of time discussing its relation to the original here so you don't have to as you see it. This film stands on its own, and I believe it will continue to in years to come. Time will tell if it has the influence on other works that made its predecessor such a giant in the genre. ****/****