Still Not Grasping the Love For these Movies

Rating: 7/10 (8 October 2017)

Having not been a fan of the original, I went into 2049 with an open mind. I was hoping to have a truly epic sci-fi experience that honors the original but also stands on its own. While 2049 does that, it still isn't resonating with me the way I think it does with most people.
I honestly can't pinpoint the reason why I'm not connecting to these films. Great performances, beautiful cinematography, visceral action (in the limited action sequences), and a director at the top of his game, and I'm still not connecting the dots as to why these movies are viewed with such high regard. Granted, Roger Deakins' cinematography is some of the best I have ever seen. Gosling, Ford, and the rest of the ensemble all fit perfectly with their characters (see - Jared Leto for example). Villeneuve proposes some fantastic story beats that definitely separate this film thematically from the original (which was a worry I had), and yet I'm still not all the way there.
I think the thing that kills me with both films is the pacing. It's not like I haven't seen science fiction films with slow pacing that I liked. Heck, Villeneuve made a great one just last year with Arrival. But there's something about how slow these films play and the material that drives them just doesn't resonate with me. Whether it's the overabundance of A.I driven sci-fi features that I've seen before these movies, the bleak tone, or the fact that I just don't really care whether or not Rick Deckard is a replicant or not, Blade Runner just isn't for me.
With that said, I can always appreciate when a film is sharply put together. Just because I'm not a fan of the material, doesn't mean I can't see when a film is something special in the technical way. If there was ever a guy who should win the Oscar for cinematography, it's Roger Deakins. The man has gone on long enough without a statue. And there's nothing I can knock too much about Villeneuve's directing, even with an incredibly slow burn way of telling a story. I thought Gosling and Ford played well off each other, and gave some of the more emotional turns I've seen from either of them in quite some time. And the eerie but lively score from Ben Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer are among this year's best.
However overall, I can't see myself sitting down for a second viewing. I'm perfectly content with letting other people enjoy this series. I won't blame anyone for calling this or the original a classic. But I'll pass.
7.1/10