Stunning sci-fi saga that surpasses the original.

Rating: 9/10 (6 October 2017)

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve is quietly becoming one of the most interesting and exciting filmmakers in Hollywood today. Since 2015 he has released modern masterpieces Sicario and Arrival, with this sci-fi sequel adding another triumph to his recent success. Although linked to Ridley Scott's 1982 cult classic, this futuristic epic stands on its own two feet with a new story centred on LAPD agent K (Ryan Gosling), a Blade Runner (someone who hunts and 'retires' faulty androids) questioning his own existence. With unwavering support from girlfriend Joi (Ana de Armas), K continues to seek answers in places his superiors would prefer he didn't look, all paths leading to an infamous predecessor who has been missing for 30 years: Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford). Screenwriters Hampton Fancher and Michael Green have provided Villeneuve with an abundance of meaty, thought-provoking material to bring to life, real world parables thinly veiled inside an intelligent and mature narrative that even provides a few genuinely impressive twists. Cleverly inserted flashbacks and references provides enough context for those who aren't familiar with Scott's Blade Runner, but thankfully the audience is credited with enough smarts to join the dots without having their hands held. For a movie so focused on the theme of identity, it's only fitting that Villeneuve—along with veteran cinematographer Roger Deakins—has crafted an exquisite visual identity that pays homage to the original whilst establishing it's own uniqueness. Every frame is meticulously dressed, the stunning production design merging seamlessly with the CGI to create a utopian world that feels entirely lived-in, whether it's the metallic, technology-centric inner-city or the dusty, wasting-away outer limits. The score by Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer is also amazing, the deep base and subtle synth tunes seeping into each scene to enhance the ethereal atmosphere. Don't be scared off by the lengthy runtime, Villeneuve ties all of the elements together—including outstanding performances from Gosling, de Armas, Robin Wright and Jared Leto—to deliver an utterly engrossing sci-fi saga that warrants a big screen viewing. Blade Runner 2049 is that rare follow-up that not only matches what came before, but surpasses it.