Blade Runner 2049

This review may contain spoilers!

The original Blade Runner set the bar for visual effects in its time, this film sets the bar all over again. I would give Blade Runner 2049 a 9/10.

This bleak setting is a wonderful return to the concepts first dreamt up within the original Blade Runner if anything the world has grown far more impressive in its squalor and terror than ever before. The Blade Runner of this film, 'K', is unabashedly a replicant who chances upon the fallout from the original film; the discovery that a replicant woman (Rachael) has given birth. The idea that a replicant can produce life is quite a chaotic one that unravels how many of the characters in the film see the world, it develops a new fear in an already dystopian society. 'K' begins to believe himself to be this child, questioning his own existence and role within the world; the question as to who 'K' really is is at the heart of this film's narrative. The relationship between replicant and hologram is the winning feature of the film, this is a beautiful and intimate coupling which brings forth the most emotional performances of the film. The many human roles are very cold and detached from the other characters so, just like the original film, we are treated to a film that runs such a deep and intricate critique upon our society that it will resonate with audiences for years to come. The cinematography for the film is absolutely perfect; everything is stunningly framed, the colours are well-balanced and the immensity of this is an absolute art form. The special effects within the film are the pinnacle of what can currently be offered within a film and then some; I could give numerous examples of what makes this film so incredible but the prime example was when Joi and Mariette were layered over one another in a visual display the likes of which I have never seen before. The score for this film is one of the best of the year; the sound of this film is emotionally moving and the use of "Tears in Rain" is such a powerful throwback and aid to the film.

Ryan Gosling, who played 'K', does an exceptional job as the film's protagonist; Gosling balances the torturous existence of living in servitude with the anguish of questioning his place within the world rather well. Dave Bautista, who played Sapper Morton, has a very balanced calm air about him; Bautista brings a lot of gravity to the film and sets the scene for the mystery to come. Robin Wright, who played Lieutenant Joshi, is a strong commanding figure that has a commendable soft spot for those replicants shunned by society; Wright makes quite a likeable figure who remains steadfast throughout and has quite the gentle demeanour towards Gosling. Sylvia Hoeks, who played Luv, is exceptional as the film's protagonist; Hoeks brings forth a very different replicant who serves willingly and has a dark, vindictive side to her. Lennie James, who played Mister Cotton, is a struggling member of society who has grown corrupt in the conduct of his illicit action; his ever-changing state of thought shows his desperate need for control and power. Carla Juri, who played Dr Ana Stelline, is quite a beautiful performer who brings a sense of tranquillity to the scenes she is in; Juri does some nice subtle work that makes it absolutely clear and convincing that she is the child of Deckard and Rachael.

However, the best performance came from Ana de Armas, who played Joi. In the first Blade Runner film, my favourite performance came from Rutger Hauer, precisely because he brought forth a strong emotional performance from an android character. In Blade Runner 2049, de Armas sets her own mark that will be remembered for a very long time. This hologram has grown to become a very aware and intelligent individual who has an emotional investment in Gosling's role. The romantic passion and chemistry between her and Gosling are one of the strongest examples of onscreen chemistry that I have seen in a long time, they have such a great deal of care and love for one another that you become invested almost immediately. I'm deeply fascinated by how de Armas presents her character's desire for agency and the ability to become real in the world and in her relationship. This is one of the most powerful performances I've seen all year and has blown me away completely.

The ending of the film is what lets this down; suddenly Deckard becomes a prized treasure and everything devolves into a dramatic blockbuster brawl that misses the tone of the film thus far. It's disappointing that the introduction of Deckard matters for very little and that he is the weakest point of connection to the previous film. Ultimately Deckard becomes a plot device and loses everything that makes him interesting as a character. It is also disappointing that the major antagonist of the film, Niander Wallace, feels quite removed from the plot and ultimately seems like a misguided attempt to set up another Blade Runner sequel.

David Dastmalchian, who played Coco, is a weird role at best; with a persona that is hard to pin down and beyond a shadow of a doubt the performer that feels the most aline to the film. Edward James Olmos, who played Gaff, is barely memorable in the original Blade Runner so it's a wonder that he's in this one at all; Olmos is really only starring in this film to sit next to some paper origami. Jared Leto, who played Niander Wallace, often speaks around himself and in metaphors that come off as over the top; Leto is a pretty forgettable aspect of the film which is disappointing considering he is painted as the major antagonist. Hiam Abbass, who played Freysa, really needed to be in this film a lot more for the type of role she was portraying; the rebel leader of a replicant resistance is quite a major aspect of the Blade Runner world and is barely noted in this feature. Mackenzie Davis, who played Mariette, gives quite a wooden performance and really doesn't have much chemistry with Gosling; it's a shame that Davis has such a consistent screen presence as her role really doesn't do much to warrant it. Harrison Ford, who played Rick Deckard, really doesn't look like he's putting a great deal of effort into this film; Ford is a disappointing return to the Blade Runner films and seems to barely keep up in the scenes he's in.