Earlier this week at the screening of BLADE RUNNER 2049 the studio rep requested that critics stay for a special post screening briefing…
That doesn’t happen very often.
Ironically the requests and instructions passed on to us did not involve embargoing our reviews. Instead they included a rather lengthy list of DO NOT INCLUDE details about the plot, specific scenes, characters and outcomes as they appear in the movie.
In other words controlled content as it pertains to this highly anticipated sequel.
You might call it “Spoiler Prevention.”
Trouble is, with that much heavy handed editorial control it makes it hard for reviewers to paint a clear picture.
So instead of trying to transverse that minefield I will instead present a number of impressions.
First a bit of background:
The original BLADE RUNNER initially appeared on screens in 1982.
And while it had a solid following in sci-fi circles it really didn’t set the box office afire.
Its domestic opening weekend gross was a mere $ 6.2 million.
A ‘Directors Cut’ in 1993 brought renewed interest to the futuristic tale.
And today it has garnered full cult status.
With that in mind here are some of my impressions of BLADE RUNNER 2049.
* First up it is a perfectly executed follow-up to the original.
And should you have forgotten what it’s all about—or never have seen the original—no problem. A rather rather lengthy prologue sets it all up for you.
The ending? You WON’T be disappointed!
* As for the ‘darkness’ of the original, I am happy to report the sequel is much ‘brighter.’ And the set design and stylish visual effects are simply terrific.
* What impressed me most though is the film’s mesmerizing, amazing and amplified musical score by the team of Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch. All I can say is WOW!
* The film probably marks the best performance of Ryan Gosling‘s career.
* The running time is a whopping 164 minutes and if you’re like me wondering when Harrison Ford will (finally) show up—that would be about an hour and forty five minutes into the picture.
* This movie may not be for everyone, but isn’t it about time to EXPAND your mind…again?
Hint: Hologram surprises!
Let me leave you with a quote from the film:
“I have memories. They’re not real. They’re just implants.”
BLADE RUNNER 2049—buckle up because you’re in for quite a ride.
My grade: B+
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday’s during Kansas City’s Morning News on 98.1 FM, KMBZ.
This looks to be the first giant opening of fall/winter movies that matter. Yes I know about ‘It.’ Good review Jack. I look forward to seeing the picture, thank you
The best line here doesn’t come close to Rutger Hauer’s “death monologue” in the original Blade Runner movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoAzpa1x7jU
Apparently, the only original line from the script was “time to die”…Rutger Hauer wrote the rest. Freakin’ genius — to me it’s the most moving death soliloquy in cinematic history.
With that said, I can’t wait to see the new one…..Also, if you have’t seen it yet, Shinichiro Watanabe created a short anime back story (“Black Out 2022” ) that provides some of the back story to the new movie. You can see it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZk9sSgRyQ
That was a great scene at the end of the original Blade Runner, Lance…
Jack usually agree with you NOT THIS TIME…I GIVE THE MOVIE A C+ and I’m being nice, great special effects, however a 3 hour BORE…NO PLOT YOU COULD FOLLOW, HARRISON FORD COMES IN DURING THE LAST 30 MINUTES BY THEN YOU ARE ASLEEP, WASTED AS WAS RYAN G…SCRIPT HORRID, DIALOGUE WORSE…HARD TO UNDERSTAND OR FOLLOW … movie has no point and with that at least give us part two of a great first movie in BLADE RUNNER…NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT ABOUT BEING FREE AND THE USUAL SAVE THE WORLD FROM WHAT WHO KNOWS…A MAJOR BORING SLOW CONTRIVED SELF INDULGENT MOVIE…I can’t recommend it … and box office was a decent start but underperformed on its 150 million budget in week one…you need Europe’s box office and after week one and word is out it sucks thats over….so it will at best break even…a real sad follow up…damn.
Ditto!