Blade Runner 2049 - Movie Review

'Blade Runner 2049'
A; Sci-Fi, Thriller
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Ana De Armas, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Mackenzie Davis, Barkhad Abdi, Carla Juri, Robin Wright
Rating:

A breathtakingly vivid futuristic romance riding on important principles of freedom, sacrifice and family comes to life in Denis Villeneuve's directorial extension of Ridley Scott's iconic 'Blade Runner' the 1982 cinematic adaptation of Philip K Dick's novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' The sci-fi classic was initially underrated and later on went on to capture the hearts minds and imaginations of every sci-fi lover around the globe. It's in fact a film that accomplished far more than it's initial promise. So is Villeneuve's sequel equal to the task?

Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford in 'Blade Runner 2049'

A young blade runner, LAPD employee, K's (Ryan Gosling) discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who's been missing for thirty years. It's new age for Replicants. They are closer to humans, more obedient and can do far more than the earlier version. Tech Visionary (Jared Leto) and his lieutenant Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) are on the look-out for traces of a Replicant that could be the progeny of a Replicant that gave birth.

From his breakthrough drama 'Incendies' to the action thriller 'Sicario,' Villeneuve has managed to fashion cinematic narratives that stand out from the crowd. 'Blade Runner 2049' is one such. Conceptually, spiritually and pictorially, it's one of the most breath-taking films I have experienced in the recent past.

The film strikes the same tone and atmosphere as the first film but the action here is more contemplative, intense and intriguing. Villeneuve picks up the threads from where Scott left, so the 35 year long wait is surely well worth it.

This movie is a cinematic painting, every little detail is vibrantly imagined and carefully crafted. Cinematographically this is Roger Deakins' best work. And I guess after being the bridesmaid 13 times at the Oscars, he will surely not be denied the prize this time round. The futuristic aspects of the vision displayed here are immediately striking. Crashing waves, falling snow, pelting rain in a monochrome landscape that hearkens to a dystopian future. The narrative is a piece of art. The intense engagement is immediate but there's not much adrenaline gush this time.

Deakins and Villeneuve don't use a green screen for effects, they prefer to have sets and that makes it much more involving. The CGI is un-obtrusively spectacular. From the fluctuating holographic interfaces, to the flying cars, to the dystopian backwaters it's visually so stunning that you just can't take your eyes away from it. The sound design also allows for thunderous impact. Hans Zimmer's achy background score adds weight to the intense and richly hued engagement. In 3D Imax the experience is altogether out of this world. This is a potential Oscar Goldmine even in terms of performance and probably the best ever sequel of an original iconic film, made.

Watch 'Blade Runner 2049' Trailer