Blade Runner 2049 (2017) Review

*** Warning this review contains major skin job spoilers ***

2049, a blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department, unearths a secret that has the potential to plunge a company and department into chaos.

Without drawing too many comparisons to Ridley Scott's 1982 classic, director Denis Villeneuve's neo-noir science fiction film is powerful, atmospheric and like its predecessor mostly likely not an instant classic but a slow burning grower. All the lights are out at the Tyrell building and the weather is more unpredictable than ever before with snow, dust storms on top of the usual expected rain. Even though Hampton Fancher and Michael Green screenplay follows the excellent Ryan Gosling's character officer K later Joe it's very much a film about Harrison Ford's Rick Deckard and Nexus 6 Rachael. Both the advancement in A.I. relationship element is focused upon here as well the expected replicants memories, relationships, life spans and more importantly reproductive system.

Packed with excellent performances, notably limited screen-time from Jared Leto, Robin Wright and Dave Bautista in brief but impressive subtle and violent appearance. Edward James Olmos also reprises his role as Gaff and with ease gives Gosling a run for his his money in the few minutes he appears on screen. Sean Young's Rachel is also prevalent throughout, whether it be in dialogue, photos, voice recordings, skull and bones or a better than Rogue One's Tarkin appearance with some jaw dropping, impressive computer generated wizardry film magic.

While Harrison's screen presence sizzles Golsing carries the film well in amongst the mesmerising effects and earthly sets that are captured by veteran Roger Deakins' cinematography. Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch's music is fitting and has all the Vangelis staples and expected moving horns and beats. To Villeneuve's credit he achieves the almost impossible and that is to conjure up a sequel that doesn't simply rehash, but builds on the first film as Golsing's Joe goes about finding out what or who he really is and his purpose. As well as subtly answering questions about its predecessor, namely the fate of various characters, life spans and so forth it also leaves many fittingly unanswered. Up for speculation, interestingly not a plot point, without specifically saying so it hints that rule-abiding “Skinner”, “Skinjob” K, KD3:6-7, is possibly a younger version of retired Deckard B-263-54.

A must see, but expect a futuristic breadcrumb detective story with slight of hand memory tricks and a few twists rather the Gosling's Joe hunting down and simply disposing/retiring Replicants.