Blade Runner 2049

The original Blade Runner (referring to The Final Cut, of course!) ranks up there with some of my favourite films, and is generally considered to be one of the best. Ignoring that dreaded American cut, the film had an eventful backstory regarding its production that meant it could have gone either way as director, Ridley Scott, was fighting for his position well into the post-production period when the studio had wanted to take over command. However, despite going over budget and falling behind schedule within the first weeks of production, Blade Runner eventually found its audience after mixed reviews from critics and has become one of the most influential films with its bleak yet stunning depiction of the future.

As Ridley Scott's career fluctuated afterwards, I discussed as a guest on my University's radio whether a sequel would still be a good idea following Prometheus. Like the idea of remaking Citizen Kane, you shouldn't mess with a classic and particularly not if the man who might helm it has directed a few misfires. For better or worse, Scott was occupied with the excellent The Martian and then also with Alien: Covenant so enter Arrival's Denis Villeneuve to take on Blade Runner 2049. I am a big fan of Villeneuve's work but this could have been make-or-break for him.

Set in a densely overpopulated Los Angeles, many years after the events of the original, Ryan Gosling's blade runner K is tasked with hunting replicants and investigating a case that could have devastating consequences. A lot has changed since the original saw the fall of the Tyrell Corporation with references to a blackout and the rise of Niander Wallace (Jared Leto) who has taken the place of Tyrell, but Villeneuve carefully plots the film and takes full advantage of the lengthy running-time. There's no denying that this is a mammoth of a film but Blade Runner 2049 could not have been anything else if it wanted to succeed.

From the very beginning I immediately struck by Roger Deakins' cinematography that brings you into the deep, dark world of Los Angeles in 2049 but he makes it feel real. It is bleak and depressing but he finds beauty within that, capturing how Gosling's character might view the world. But another reason to experience this on the big screen is for its sound and music. It all combines effortlessly to make for a truly gripping yet haunting journey that will stay with you long after the credits.

I was fearful going in that it might try to be a nostalgia trip hitting familiar beats as a way of paying homage in that dreaded cheesy way Hollywood likes to do. I'm looking at you, The Force Awakens but Villeneuve delivers an incredibly bold and powerful experience that I thought mainstream films would not be able to get away with anymore. Sure, Harrison Ford is thrown into the centre of the marketing but this really is Gosling's film. Without a doubt, everyone delivers some of their best performances including Jared Leto, after that disaster known as Suicide Squad, and Sylvia Hoeks stands out as his assistant. It's hard to say if this is Villeneuve's best work but it has to be one of the best sequels.

Blade Runner 2049 will delight fans and is proof that if Hollywood wants to keep making sequels, there's no reason why they can't be good and actually take a few risks. This is mainstream filmmaking at its best and one I'd strongly recommend seeing on the big screen. Skip the trailer, avoid any spoilers because this up there with the top films of 2017.