AT THE CINEMA | 'Blade Runner 2049'
'Blade Runner 2049' is one of the most anticipated films of 2017, and fans of the original cult classic flocked to cinemas upon its release in October.
The original 'Blade Runner' film (released in 1982 and directed by the renowned Ridley Scott) was based on the Philip K. Dick short story ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’
The original, set in the futuristic year of 2019, follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) - a "Blade Runner" who is assigned to assassinate "replicants" (androids that resemble human beings). Deckard is called out of retirement to track down and terminate four replicants who escape from an off-world colony and arrive on Earth.
When it first hit theatres, Blade Runner gained mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. Over the years, it has a gained a cult following and now is regarded as a sci-fi masterpiece. Australian Advanced English students will even be familiar with the film, having studied the film in the elective 'Texts in Time'.
Knowing of its deserved place in pop culture, the question on everyone's lips was, "Is 'Blade Runner 2049' a worthy sequel?"
The answer is yes.
Set thirty years after the original, '2049' depicts a young Blade Runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling) who discovers the remains of a once-pregnant replicant. To avoid a potential war between replicants and humans, K is secretly tasked with finding the child and destroying all evidence related to it. His discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Ford), the former Blade Runner who has been missing for thirty years.
Complemented by a superb cast, Gosling steals the film with his impressive performance in the lead role. The actor brings compassion to the character, making him a likeable lead.
Ford continues in his role as Deckard, giving a solid performance alongside Ana de Armas and Robin Wright in tow.
Director Denis Villeneuve ('Arrival', 'Sicario') is sitting in the director’s chair this time. With big shoes to fill, Villeneuve masterfully directs a stellar sci-fi film audiences will enjoy. In its running time of 163 minutes, 'Blade Runner 2049' is well paced, visually stunning and mind-bending film.
Villeneuve manages a well-crafted narrative, met with incredible cinematography by Roger Deakins and spectacular production design by Dennis Gassner. Masterfully, Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch compose an excellent music score - a worthy follow up to Vangelis' compositions in the original film.
'Blade Runner 2049' is a great successor to 'Blade Runner'. It is a must-see for fans of the cult classic and sci-fi fans alike.
4.5 / 5 stars
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