Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Everything I have to say about “Blade Runner 2049” also applies to its predecessor, it’s a technical marvel with great performances and rich thematic ideas, but it’s also an agonisingly long film that can veer into pretentious territory every now and then.

As I just mentioned, almost all of the cast of “Blade Runner 2049” are terrific, Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista and Ana De Armas are all compelling and complex in their roles. The only actor here that I didn’t think was on par with the rest was Jared Leto as Niander Wallace, it may be down to the fact that he isn’t in the movie very much or that the writing for his character was a bit weak, but he just monologues about a load of ostentatious mumbo-jumbo and mumbles all of his lines, making him a fairly unexceptional antagonist.

Hands-down the most flawless aspect of “Blade Runner 2049” is its visually striking cinematography. Roger Deakins absolutely deserved his Academy Award, the vibrant and desolate locations that are featured in the film are all eye-widening and strangely beautiful.

The visual effects here range from a brilliant blend of CGI and practical effects to one of the worst de-aging/ digital re-construction effects I’ve ever seen.

I don’t have a problem with watching long movies, however, I do object to long films that have no sense of pace or momentum and ones that are filled with tedious scenes that outstay their welcome, sadly “Blade Runner 2049” is one of those movies..

There was one moment in “Blade Runner 2049” especially that drags on far too long in which the protagonist has a moment of realisation as he wanders through a building. This scene would have been far more effective if it had been shortened down because any audience member that has been paying attention to the plot can see what the twist is from a mile away, so watching the character slowly ramble around with ominous music playing in the background is completely unnecessary. It’s clear that the filmmakers wanted to make “Blade Runner 2049” as artsy as possible, regardless of how they affected the story’s pace (the one where Ryan Gosling repeats the words “Cells” and “Interlinked” three million times each is a perfect example of the movie’s monotonous and pompous atmosphere.)

To summarise, “Blade Runner 2049” is pretty good I guess. If you loved the first film, you’ll probably enjoy this one as well, but as much as I try to like these movies, I think I just have to accept that they aren’t my cup of tea. They are excellent from a filmmaking perspective, but I personally prefer films that take me on a determined hike, rather than a slow trudge.