Visuals fine, Story Flat

Rating: 7/10 (19 October 2017)

Visually, I loved this movie, it has moments that are astonishing for my eyeballs. However, for me, to really enjoy a movie, I need a good story, well told. This is where things go flat for me in the current Blade Runner. The Vangelis musical score in the original is magical, this one sounds like many distant mic drops in an echo chamber, and never once adds to the picture. I was especially sad for this, as the original was a near-perfect constant blend of audio, visuals and story.
First key item, I think we can all agree that the movie is simply too long, filled with far too many long moments of nothing happening, nobody speaking, actors staring off into space, possibly wondering when somebody was going to yell "Cut!". I think honestly, it can be at least 40 minutes shorter, and all elements would remain 100% intact, but audiences would be far happier. This is one instance where I think the final cut version on BluRay should be maybe 90 minutes.
Second, I find that this story is told in a very fractured way, daring the audience to somehow stitch the random and poorly sketched scenes together to make an appealing tale. There are so many non sequitur moments, I was baffled by what the screenwriter's real intent was. I loved some scenes just for the visual, but was really not so wowed by the story-telling. Yes, I see the story, but don't be concerned if it doesn't gel for you.
Finally, movies are greatly helped by being about something, having an engaging story to tell. Despite being an avid sci-fi and movie fan, I can honestly say I do not know the purpose of this story. I get some story elements, I see how they eventually tie together, but at the end, I can't help but wonder if this was the best way to tell it or if it is even actually there. There are SO many plot gaps and missing parts, I almost felt like making up a few as the story unwound, just so it would be more enjoyable. The original had a powerful story, very well told and acted, but I just can't say that in this version.
So, I say seven, but only because some of the visuals are so good. Honestly, as a story, this is working hard to be a 5. This is a very bad trend in modern movie making, lots of flash and high priced talent, but just not enough story and substance to make it worthwhile. For me, the scotch drinking dog was the best story moment, which is not such a great endorsement.
I was so disappointed to see this. I even watched the original the week before so I could be sure to correctly appreciate the new version and the complex world it is set in. It didn't help so much.