Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is given an assignment to figure out something mysterious that has happened. K searches for former Blade Runner Deckard (Harrison Ford) to help him out.

Director: Denis Villenevue

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Jared Leto, David Bautista

MPAA Rating: R for violence, some sexuality, nudity, and language

Fun Fact: David Bowie was the first choice to play Niander Wallace but, he passed away before production began. The role went to Jared Leto.

One of the most anticipated films of the year is finally here. Before I can start the review I just want to say this. I have heard before the film officially was released, director Denis Villenevue asked critics to not give any plot points away that wasn’t shown in the trailers. In this review I’m going to honor Mr. Villenevue’s request and not give away any of those even though I never got to see this in a press screening.

Blade Runner 2049 is a masterpiece and is the best film of 2017. After leaving the theater all I could do was think about what I had just seen. At 164 minutes, you need to keep it interesting for some. To me the run time was justified as there is a lot going on to keep you interested. In fact, I wanted to go back in and see it again. I hadn’t felt that way about seeing a film again in the theater since The Dark Knight, and that was almost ten years ago. This is the reason why people go to the theater. This film is a reason why I love film and doing a website like this. Roger Deakins cinematography grabs you in the very moment the film starts. The shots are clean and focused on what is going on at that moment. The visuals look wonderful and grand, and as the film progressed all I could say was wow. Years from now this film’s visuals will still hold up just like the first Blade Runner. If Deakins doesn’t win the Oscar for his work then I would have to say shame on you Academy!

The cast brings their A-Game even if it’s a supporting role. Ryan Gosling has big shoes to fill and he more than pulls it off. Every scene he’s in is acted perfectly for the film. I can’t see anyone else in Gosling’s role. Harrison Ford delivers one of his better performances in recent years. It’s great seeing him go back to some of his more famous roles just like he did with Star Wars. When Gosling and Ford are on screen together that’s when the film picks up even more and you want to keep seeing them together. I will admit I’m not a Jared Leto fan but, he convinced me with his performance. He has a genuine creepiness to him that I keep remembering. To other stand outs are Ana de Armas and Sylvia Hoek, and Hoek’s performance was one of my favorites in the film. You will need to see the film to get reaction from the performances like I did.

Denis Villenevue even admits that he was under pressure to follow up Blade Runner. Ridley Scott’s decision to go with him to direct was the perfect choice. Villenevue has brought us a visually gorgeous film that’s a feast for the eyes. His direction effort is over a hundred percent and I just want to say this: Academy please consider nominating Denis Villenevue a directing Oscar. He clearly gave this film his all and Villenevue is becoming the next great director. I haven’t seen much of his stuff but, I will be checking it out. Films like Blade Runner 2049 are needed and I hope this inspires up and coming filmmakers get inspired to make films like this.

Overall, Blade Runner 2049 is the best film of 2017, no question about it. In fact, I’m just going to say it’s one of the best sequels ever made. It’s visually beautiful and the performances are top notch. Roger Deakin’s cinematography and the direction from Denis Villenevue are some of the best that I have seen from a film in quite a long time. I encourage people that haven’t seen it yet go see it. I hope that you get the impact that I got from it and I can’t wait to see it again.

Verdict: Hit