Mild spoilers ahead. I tried my best, OK?
We live in a world of sequels and reboots … whether Star Wars or Power Rangers, these latest installments try to juggle it all: bringing in new fans, updating the storylines to be more modern and giving as many fan-service winks as possible for the old guard. And, more often than not, the attempt fails. You can point to Pirates of the Caribbean 5 or Point Break or The Mummy or the current Flatliners as unnecessary explorations of previously dead movies. Rarely do reboots reach the level of the newest Planet of the Apes trilogy or the Star Wars / Disney team-ups where it feels like the sequels are necessary and earned.
Blade Runner 2049 is the rare instance where the sequel 100% just works. Not only a great reboot, 2049 stands out as one of the best movies of the year and one of the best experiences I have ever had in a movie theater.
The plot, to be described in detail, is a spoiler in itself, with major reveals nonchalantly unloaded by Dave Bautista’s character during the first five minutes of the movie. Ryan Gosling delivers a … typical Ryan Gosling performance but is perfectly cast for reasons that will be apparent. A swelling roster of his co-stars breathe further life into the story, including Robin Wright, Jared Leto (method acting as a blind CEO in a minimal amount of the movie), and Ana De Armas (a relative newcomer who steals the show with an AI performance that stands as a combination of Ex Machina and Her.) Even Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris) and Mr. “I Am the Captain Now” (Barkhad Abdi) each appear for a scene, hinting at the further world-building that made the original so enticing. A few cameos from original cast members are scattered throughout the runtime … including one that made me audibly gasp in delight, which was super embarrassing.
As a card-carrying member of the Harrison Ford Fanboy Association, however, it gives me great pride to say that the absolute stand-out performance of the film is the original Blade Runner, himself. Ford delivers his best performance in decades, resurrecting his 1982 character of Deckard with humor, heart and a visceral sense of longing and regret. A looming presence throughout the early portions of the film, Deckard’s first appearance in the movie is powerful, charismatic and welcoming. Harry’s still got it.
I have not delved into the incredible soundtrack (Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer channeling their best Vangelis) or the breath-taking cinematography (Roger Deakins proving to the Academy that he finally deserves every Oscar they can give him).
After press wraps up, director Denis Villeneuve is set to take on Dune, with Blade Runner 2049 another notch in his belt behind Sicario, Arrival and Prisoners. In some scenes of sand and snow, it was hard not to daydream during the film about what his Arrakis will look like. I can’t wait to see what he does with another of my favorite sci-fi properties.
The movie lives in its silence. It is beautiful, moving and important; a quiet blockbuster co-led by a movie star and his aging counterpart. I will be seeing it again and again, cherishing every opportunity I have to see it on a big screen, with loud, vibrating speakers.
It is my favorite movie of the year and I am so glad that is the case.
Rating:
Here’s some rad art made for the movie by some rad artists.
