Blade Runner 2049

The original Blade Runner came out in 1982. I was barely two years old. I am not going to pretend that the original had some huge influence on my love for sci-fi. In fact, I watched the first one when I was twelve. I was starting to get into sci-fi (mostly after reading Star Wars books) and after reading plenty of issues of Wizard (and probably Heroes if anyone remembers that one) where they would reference Blade Runner all the time. I understood the movie, but I do not think it had the profound impact on me as it had on others. I should probably watch it again at some point.

I was not planning on seeing Blade Runner 2049 in the theater. I figured it would be a movie I rented, but then I read a few reviews and was intrigued. Also, one of those reviews made me feel a bit guilty about not seeing it. I think it was Filmdrunk, pointing out that this is a smart, well-made, sci-fi movie and that if no one sees it, then Hollywood will stop making those types of movies. I realize that me going to see it will not help recoup those financial losses, but at least I can feel a little better about my role as a fan.

I am very happy that I went to see the movie. If you were afraid to see it because you had not seen the original in years (or maybe never saw it), do not worry, you can easily see this movie as a standalone film. If you enjoy science fiction stories that question what it means to be human, then seriously, go see this movie. Hell, even if you just love beautiful looking movies, then go see it. You will not be disappointed.

I will not go too in-depth with any analysis or anything like that. There will be some spoilers from here on out. So stop reading if you plan to see it.

I need to complain about one thing: 3D. Actually, the movie looked pretty good in 3D (I usually avoid 3D, but this was the only showing available at the time I could see it), except for the text. There was some text at the beginning of the movie that I could barely read because it was too small or blurry. Am I the only one who has this issue?

My favorite shot in the film was the part where K walks towards the furnace at the orphanage. The camera focuses on K walking through the dark room and K never looks around, it is very dark, his face is mostly obscured, but he never turns his head. It reminds us that K is a replicant. A human would be creeped out by the darkness, maybe turning on a flashlight or looking around with every step. K just strides through it with a singular purpose.

The most heart-wrenching scene was when Luv destroys Joi’s emitter. The look in her eyes as she says to K “I hope you enjoyed our product” (or whatever the line was from earlier). It is weird that we have an attachment to Joi, who we know to be a program, but yet her death felt real. I wanted to weep right there beside K.

Am I the only one who thought the Ana thing was a bit telegraphed? When she cried while watching K’s memory, I said to myself “she is the child.” Although, I was as disappointed as K when he figures out that he is not the child.

So if you did see the movie, where do you stand on whether or not Deckard is a replicant. While watching the movie, my first thought was the Deckard was a replicant and that this movie was confirming that old theory. However, as I got home and thought about it for a few days, I kept going back & forth.

Author: Ngewo