A rare sequel that is better than the original (no spoiler of the main plot)

Rating: 9/10 (9 October 2017)

Film Review: "Blade Runner 2049" jogs through a jaw-dropping urban dystopia with well-drawn characters and a solid mystery with satisfying results. This film was directed by Denis Villeneuve (Oscar nominated Best Director of last year's "Arrival") and his steady hand in high concept sci-fi is clearly evident in each frame.
The film begins with blade runner "K", played by Ryan Gosling ("La La Land"; "The Big Short"; "The Notebook"), tracking down fugitive replicant Sapper Morton, played by Dave Bautista ("Guardians of the Galaxy"). Morton is an old Nexus-6 replicant, a biologically engineered slave, indistinguishable from humans, with superior strength and agility, who were outlawed after a slave revolt. This initial case leads to information that triggers a larger investigation which is the plot of the movie that I won't spoil.
Mr. Gosling gives an astonishing performance that is a wonder of contradictory elements. He gives K an unemotional, quiet, yet dynamic character that is captivating on screen. The other performance of note is a supporting one from Harrison Ford ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"; "The Fugitive"; "Patriot Games"), reprising his role as blade runner Rick Decker. With limited screen time, Mr. Ford crackles in every scene. There is still no one that captures an honest, dark, visceral, and physical character like him. The scenes with Mr. Gosling and Mr. Ford together are remarkable, since both play characters that speak more with their silences then when they are actually talking.
The concept art, art direction, visual effects, matte painting, production design, and cinematography for "Blade Runner 2049" will likely be the best I see in theaters this year. While taking inspiration from the dirty, neon, junkyard look of the original, the creative team on this film imagine a new awe-inspiring and expansive world for the plot to play out.
At 2 hours and 44 minutes, "Blade Runner 2049" is a commitment to see, but I do recommend that you take the time to see it, if you see the original first. I say this because, while this film stands on its own visually and in its performances, the background from the original is necessary to fully comprehend the gravity of the plot and the world in which the film is set.
I saw "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" the evening before, and it helped me a great deal with the nuances in the sequel. (The original movie has been re-cut 6 times, most without director Ridley Scott's permission. The original theatrical release was considered by Mr. Scott to be a betrayal by studio executives. The TV and International versions were not Mr. Scott's choice as well. The so- called "Directors Cut" was done by film preservationist Michael Arick and not cut by Mr. Scott. But, the "Final Cut" (2007) was personally assembled by Ridley Scott with revamped special effects and the original annoying electronic score by Greek composer Vengelis.)
I should come clean that I was not a big fan of the original "Blade Runner". I felt it's loose, dreamlike, contemplative, plot-lite exploration into the world of blade runners and replicants was unsatisfying. However, with the coming of "Blade Runner 2049", I now feel that both movies together deliver on Blade Runner's ultimate promise of intelligent sci-fi storytelling.