Actually Improves Upon the Original

Rating: 9/10 (12 October 2017)

It's a testament to how great of a sequel a film is when it can entirely reshape the first movie, and make you think about it in a whole new light. While watching 2049, I began to think of Blade Runner in a whole new way, a way that made me appreciate the film more. We always talk about sequels detracting from the original movie, but here Denis Villeneuve made a sequel that actually enhanced the original. There is also a lot of added context and background information that puts this world into perspective, and gives more clarity to certain things that happened in the original. When you look at all the intricate puzzle pieces at play in 2049, it's a miracle that Villeneuve was able to put it all together and make a truly engaging film. Ryan Gosling delivers a subtle but powerful performance, one that fills the screen. While the supporting cast doesn't get as much screen time as Gosling does, they do give great performances. Harrison Ford is at the top of his game with this movie, and especially shines in a gut-wrenching scene between him and Jared Leto...