Blade Runner 2049: Philip K. Dick Would Be Extremely Proud

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

First thing I have to say is that the studio asked us many times over to be very careful not to write a review that contains  “spoilers,” and since there are so many in this extraordinary film. I’ll just give you a brief overview.

“Blade Runner 2049,” directed by the Oscar nominated director, Denis Villeneuve (‘Arrival’) and written by Michael Green (‘Logan’), succeeds on every level. Even at 163 minutes, I didn’t want it to end.  It’s also one of the most visually stunning films I’ve seen in a long time and that has a lot to do with the incredible talent of Academy Award nominee, Cinematographer, Roger Deakins and his equally creative team.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ takes place three decades after the events of the first film.  All the details about what has transpired up until this point are explained at the beginning so there’s no need for me to go into it, and even if you haven’t seen the original ‘Blade Runner’ it doesn’t matter.

Ryan Gosling (who is so perfectly cast) plays the role of an LAPD blade runner called K. His boss, Lt. Joshi (the excellent Robin Wright) gives him an assignment — to track down old replicants who have gone into hiding and living long past their originally programmed lifespan of four years.

The first replicant he finds is a peaceful farmer, Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista), and it’s here that Detective K unearths a long buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford, who gives one of his best performances in a long time), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ is a sci-fi thriller/detective/mystery/love story that asks  the question, ‘What does it mean to be human?’

There are many interesting and unique characters in this film, including Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) whose soft-spoken manner thinly veils his ruthless ambition. He is on an obsessive quest to create the perfect replicant. He feels they are essential to the survival of humanity.

His right hand confident is Luv (the excellent Sylvia Hoaks), an elite Nexus 9  replicant who can kill you with “a look.”  She focuses on being the best at everything, and she’ll do whatever it takes to help Wallace conquer the world and achieve his dreams.

There’s also a wonderful performance by Ana De Armas, who plays Joi, with whom the lonely, alienated, K has a romantic relationship. But she’s not just your average girl next door. Joi is also K’s confidante, and his only real support system. She’s smart, funny and intuitive, as well as a  couple of other things that will surprise you.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ is a poignant, emotionally moving film with complex characters, a story line that will keep surprising you up until the end and at the same time,  one that will make you think about the human race and where we are headed.

‘Blade Runner 2049’ opens in theatres Friday, October 6th 2017 and if there’s only one film you see this year, this should be it.