Blade Runner 2049 (2017): A smartly-directed, perfectly shot, beautifully crafted, steadily paced, mature science fiction film that improves upon its predecessor! Arguably one of the greatest sequels ever made!

Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the 1982 sci-fi cyberpunk classic Blade Runner. It is set 30 years after the original film in dystopian Los Angeles 2049 where a blade runner, a police officer ordered to hunt down synthetic androids known as Replicants, named K (played by Ryan Gosling) is trying to uncover a dangerous secret surrounding a previous Replicant that could threaten society. In the process, K seeks the help of disappeared blade runner Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) from the original film.

I'm going to be as vague as possible when discussing the film's plot because I really want the audience to experience the film for themselves. When you have a film like the original Blade Runner that was very influential on subsequent sci-fi films + inspired generations of filmmakers/film fans, it is very difficult to make a follow-up that can match or even exceed its predecessor. After seeing Blade Runner 2049, I can safely say that this film is a great sequel that manages to recapture the spirit of the original film perfectly, while also expanding on the mythology and storytelling of this dystopian setting.

There a lot of things to cherish about BR 2049. First off, this movie is a visual masterpiece. The cinematography/color palette is one of the best I have ever seen in a film. Similar to how the original Blade Runner wonderfully introduced its visual flair within the first 5 minutes, this movie sets up a realistic and bleak dystopian setting through all of its immaculate camera shots and angles. Every frame of this movie is meant for the audience to gaze in awe about the look and scope of Blade Runner, and I can see many future filmmakers being inspired by the way this film is shot and directed.

Another part that I loved was the film's unique narrative and its ability to stand on its own. Although this movie is technically a sequel, it doesn't completely rely on its predecessor's fame to tell a story. It's not trying to revive a franchise or repeat the same events that happened in the first film involving Deckard. Instead, BR 2049 is a self-contained story out of which the writers and director are trying to craft a personal and unique film. The themes of identity, man vs machine, and what it means to be human are carried over from the 1st film and given new light in BR 2049's story.

The film mainly focuses on the character of K trying solving the mystery but also delving deep into his personal demons, along with adding more elements to Deckard's story arc. This is where the performances of Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford come in, who are both fantastic. Gosling does a great job or portraying a person serving the law but is also struggling to come to terms with his past and overall identity in society. Harrison Ford was fantastic in his reprisal of Deckard as he plays an ex-blade runner who has gone through so much pain from events in the 1st film after having to deal the oppression surrounding Replicants in the name of law, along with questioning his own humanity. The supporting cast members were also quite captivating, especially considering the villain's motivations.

One of the things that the film requires of its audience is to pay attention and remain invested as the movie plays out. The film is quite long at 2hrs 45 min, so some people may have a problem with the film's pacing. However, like the original, BR 2049 is steadily setting the stage for its characters + mystery/detective story, ultimately leading up to an intense finale. This movie takes a lot of unexpected twists and turns with its characters which, especially when considering the 1st film, make the plot all the more compelling and emotionally satisfying. Other noteworthy elements were the electrifying musical score by Hans Zimmer and the seamless visual effects/set designs.

As far as content goes, there are some things for younger audiences to be aware of. The action sequences, while brief, are quite brutal and intense (with a few scenes of blood spurting out, stabbings). Some of the language is a little mild, there are a few scenes of non-sexual (and off-screen) nudity involving holograms/replicants.

This film, like the 1st, has a very dark, noir atmosphere and deals with heavy philosophical themes for the viewer to reflect on. Therefore, this film is best suited for more mature moviegoing audiences in the 14 to 15+ age range. In the end, Blade Runner 2049 is a rare example of a sequel being better than its predecessor due to its unique style and focus on fresh storytelling, along with the retainment of the traditional themes and messages that made the original so great.

After reflecting on this movie for a while, I do think that BR 2049 definitely joins and/or transcends the ranks of other great contemporary sci-fi films that have come out recently (namely District 9, Inception, Source Code, Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, Ex Machina, Arrival, etc). It's a great sequel + standalone film that further explores the lore of this dystopian society, and I'm sure that it is a soon-to-be-classic for aspiring filmmakers. I highly recommend watching Blade Runner 2049 (especially in IMAX to get the full scope) along with the original Blade Runner to gain a better understanding of the backstory. Please go out and support this film as soon as you can since it's currently not faring well at the box office and it deserves to seen by people who love watching good movies. :)

My rating: 5/5 stars