When a sequel was announced for what is considered one of the best Sci-Fi films of all time, Blade Runner, Director Dennis Villeneuve (Arrival) knew he had huge shoes to fill. Somehow he managed to exceed all expectations and craft a Science Fiction film that is as worthy of the title of Masterpiece as its predecessor. Set 30 years after the original, the film focuses on Agent K, played excellently by Ryan Gosling. Gosling has played the strong, stoic silent type in several of his previous roles but this time around really brings it all to the table, and in some scenes, with help from the films beautiful score, conveys so much emotional depth without saying a word. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Rick Deckard, showcasing a more intense version of his weary and weathered persona as he did for Han Solo in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Other new additions to the cast are Sylvia Hoeks, Jared Leto, and a standout Ana De Armas. To say anything about their respective roles would be to roll into spoiler territory so I will leave it at the fact that they all give great supporting roles, Armas being the standout of the bunch, while Hoeks give more or less a standard villains role, and Leto being the mysterious creator of the Replicants, not necessarily being a standout by any means, but giving a better performance than he has in recent years given his unique material.

Blade Runner 2049, a 30 plus year in the making movie, boasts amazing special effects, near flawless, and giving amazing detail to the world that Ridley Scott created in 1982. Villeneuve does the impossible task of returning us to this world all this time later, showing us how far Los Angeles has risen and sunk in the 30 years since we’ve seen it last, as well as explaining its state in dialogue, making it unnecessary to explain everything that has changed, further investing us into this dystopian future, begging for more time spent in it. The movies musical score, Composed by Hans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch is easily one of the best, most beautiful scores composed in all of 2017, taking us by the hand and plunging us further into the films world of intrigue, while taking snippets from the original score to remind us this is Blade Runner.

With all the praise this film is destined to receive, its just as destined to be divisive among fans of the franchise let alone Sci-Fi fans as a whole. The movie has underlying themes that make the viewer think and really invest into its material, which is what seems to me is what Blade Runner has become all about. If you go into this movie looking for an action packed romp into Sci-Fi territory, this is definitely not for you, as Dennis Villeneuve has crafted a thinking mans return to the world of Blade Runner, with some wonderful action pieces sprinkled throughout its 163 minute runtime. If you don’t have patience, or a real love for the genre, Blade Runner 2049 is not for you, but if you love the genre and/or a lengthy character driven story, 2049 goes highly recommended.

10 out of 10.

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