BLADE RUNNER 2049 review
starring Ryan Gosling. Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas
directed by Denis Villeneuve
A review by Helen J. Reynolds
Do androids dream of electric sheep? That was the title of the book (Philip K. Dick) and the question posed by the first Blade Runner movie in 1982. If you haven't seen the director's cut version you might still be wondering that question. Well, wonder no more as this sequel leaves no room to doubt.
Androids dream. Beautifully crafted and fake memories are implanted, but from those come real dreams, real feelings and a new meaning to just what the hell is real anyway.
Just as Harrison Ford's character, Rick Deckard, Ryan Gosling takes the lead as replica/detective K. He arrests, or in some cases, ends, old replica's that are judged as too "independent". Those of course refer to the replicas of the old movie, made by the Tyrell company. These days a new maker is in town and his "angels" are fully complying.
K is special though, like the cereal. The opening scene is both compelling and reminiscent - the history of the old film is in every layer and it's a great way to engage us back into that world. Once the job is done, K's natural curiosity leads to an unexpected discovery. It's this discovery that fuels the film.
The special effects are seamless and make for stunning locations - just as the old movie did, only this one's budget far exceeds its predecessor at $100m so in a way, it had better be a beauty! There are nice nods to the past technologies; people still talk to cameras to zoom in on potential details, and to monitor the mood of replica's, a new updated version of 'You see a tortoise lying on its back...' is employed.
The trouble with nods to the old film (and a plot solely shrouded in the past) mean that you inevitably think of just how great Blade Runner (1982) was. It also means new fans, perhaps watching this one because of Golsing, or simply they liked the look of the trailer, will find it almost impossible to follow if they haven't seen the original.
Gosling does a great job stepping into the shoes of rogue detective Deckard, with a quiet, reserved performance of a replica with a dream. His romance with A.I. Joi (Ana de Armas) is sweet and meaningful, though does lead to a scene that tarnishes the point of any female character in this movie. A futuristic threesome, large naked female statues with their mouths open, or large naked female holograms for that matter, are all unnecessary and tasteless. Of course Blade Runner sexualises Rachael, Deckard, Roy and Pris but in equal fashion and for a purpose. In this film there's hardly a moment where a woman isn't shown as having a perfect, ready-for-it body. Even Robin Wright, who is a strong character in the movie, has this weird moment where she spreads her legs out for no real reason.
Harrison Ford doesn't have a huge role to play in this one and nor, strangely enough, does the villain. Wallace (Jared Leto) is the new Tyrell and has everything going for him; god-like sets, creepy gimmicks, a disturbed motive... yet he gets about two scenes before the movie's done with him. The punching scene between Gosling and Ford is made to last a lifetime, but they don't bother with the villain? Arguably, Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) takes on the Android with Angst role, but her character is far less developed - a villain straight out of Kingsmen where she kills in killer tight-arsed pants. It's no Roy Batty, that's for sure.
This is a beautiful movie with a lot to offer and it certainly has a place next to the old one. It just isn't anywhere near as good and the let downs come in the over-the-top exploitation of women, the story relying far too much on the past and the lack of a fully developed (or focused on) villain.
Blade Runner (1982)
Her (2013)
Arrival (2016)
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