Blade Runner 2049

I had your job once. I was good at it. 

Blade Runner turned 35 in 2017. Many would call the Ridley Scott film, a science fiction classic.

The legend goes, as they tend to do, the movie bombed in 1982. Harrison Ford starred as Rick Deckard, a blade runner. He had the job to retire - kill - bioengineered beings known as replicants.The box office maxed out at $27 million. Which may not have been bad, yet, the successes of E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial and Rocky III did not help during that particular summer.

The cult-like status grew for Blade Runner, with the help of various versions of the film through the years.  

This led to a much-hyped next chapter, Blade Runner 2049. There was an early Digital release on Dec. 26. The Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Ultra HD packs arrive on Jan. 16.

FUTURE

Blade Runner 2049 was critically acclaimed and also underwhelmed at the box office. It totaled $91 million in North American and $259 million worldwide.

The R-rated sequel marked the return of Ford and original screenwriter Hampton Fancher. Ridley Scott relinquished the director role to be executive producer. Oscar-nominated Denis Villeneuve took on the daunting task as director. 

LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a blade runner, has an encounter with a man named Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista.) K makes a discovery, which takes him on an investigation and on to a path to meet Rick Deckard. Along the way, characters played by Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juni, Lennie Jones and Oscar winner Jared Leto, all make appearances.

VERDICT

Would I buy this film? No. 

I would rather rent, stream it, or wait for a discounted price. 

Admittingly, I was not a fan of the first Blade Runner. I became curious about this new adventure in 2049 though. Harrison Ford is my favorite actor - Han Solo and Indiana Jones, kind of solidified that

(Sure, he has made some terrible movies but I’ve stuck with him.)

I do like Ryan Gosling as well. (Yes, even enjoyed La La Land and Crazy, Stupid, Love. I remember watching him on the television show, Young Hercules.)           

Without a doubt, Blade Runner 2049 is a Ryan Gosling movie. He is almost in every scene. The visuals are absolutely stunning too.

It is a considerable chunk of time before Ford appears, although I would say his first encounter with Gosling is my favorite part of the film. 

If you’ve watched the first Blade Runner, it is helpful but not necessary. 

The points get docked with the pacing and length. If you’ve never seen Blade Runner and are looking for an action movie - this is probably not for you.    

Villeneuve does have plenty of lingering shots. Gosling walking down corridors, walking across landscapes, riding in his vehicle, or aerial views of the world. There are a handful of quiet scenes of people just having conversations - a few have none at all. The pace of the story does feel slowed down by all of this. It could be how I imagined it.   

And clocking in at 164 minutes (with credits) it is long and does feel long. At least it did for me. Some viewers will likely require an extra barrel of patience.

I get the impression that Blade Runner 2049 will play out like the original. It certainly will be polarizing among many critics and viewers, but in the long run, perhaps more and more people will come to appreciate it.      

SPECIAL FEATURES OVERVIEW

The standard DVD only has the Blade Runner 101 features.

Designing The World of Blade Runner 2049 (21 minutes, 55 seconds)

- This is a behind-the-scenes reel. The discussion involved the outlook of the future which honours the 1982 movie, yet also expands on the world. There is Director of Photography Roger Deakins influence on set (Deakins won a Critics Choice Award for Best Cinematography) to the lighting used and props. 

To Be Human: Casting Blade Runner 2049 (17 minutes and 15 seconds)   

- This is just a closer look at the cast. Villeneuve gives Gosling a lot of credit for the work that he did. Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista and Jared Leto, all discuss their characters and being involved in the world of Blade Runner.  

Prologues (28 minutes and six seconds)
2022: Black Out
2036: Nexus Dawn
2048: Nowhere to Run

- Three short stories of Blade Runner set after 2019 - when Blade Runner took place in the first movie - but before 2049. The Black Out is probably the most interesting in terms of style, simply because it is done in anime. It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe.
The other two shorts are directed by Luke Scott and give a little extra spotlight to Jared Leto's and Dave Bautista's characters. 

(If you are keen enough, Warner Brothers did release all three online.)

Blade Runner 101 (11 minutes, 22 seconds)
Blade Runners
The Replicant Evolution
The Rise of Wallace Corp
Welcome to 2049
Joi
Within the Skies

- Brief clips which offer a bit more analysis of the movie - what exactly are Blade Runners or a Replicant and some of the technology used.

Warner Brothers Home Entertainment