Blade Runner 2049, a sequel of sorts to the original 1982 Blade Runner with the same themes of a future dystopia where we ignored climate change for so damb long that it becomes undeniable. Earth is desolate, corporations own and create biological slaves called replicants, and a dude with a serious god complex (Jared Leto) sadistically fondles these creations to everyone’s discomfort.
Blade Runner is, from a creative perspective, a glorious film. A beautiful work of art with an expansive well designed world. The details of a society environmentally and principally compromised are so beautifully rendered that the viewer could loose themselves to this alone in the movie theater. Beautiful aerial views or cityscapes mixed with a sound track that fits like a glove. Who ever directed the music for this film put her (his?) foot in it.
The exquisite visuals were thoroughly complimented by bawse acting:
- Sylvia Hoeks – is frightening and exhilarating in her savage portrayal of a henchwoman replicant to Jared Leto’s character.
- Ryan Gosling – is our protagonist replicant and Blade Runner who is unpacking a society changing mystery. Gosling is restrained and executes in a nuanced and powerful way. I felt like a I was holding my breath while watching him, waiting to see what he does next, he was at his dramatic best in this film.
- Robin Wright – this chick plays power well.
- Dave Bautista – his acting skills are a pleasant surprise. This is the first dramatic roll I’ve seen him in and I am slowly becoming a Bautista fan.
- Jared Leto – plays a corporate monster, supreme leader of Wallace corporation who saved human-kind from starvation, builds any technology worth happened, and wants to take his replicants to the next level to keep up with other world demand by making man-made bio-slaves that can reproduce. Jared, as per usual, slayed, he is a beast of an actor that can take any character to levels unimagined.
- Lennie James – who is only one of (very) few people of color anywhere in this film (even as background characters) is on screen briefly but, MY GAWD, he leaves a lasting impression. He needs to play lead in more films. He and Jared Leto both bring characterization to levels barely skimmed by most of their peers.
Objectifying and Limited AF
For most of the film, women and their bodies are used as merchandise in ad campaigns and on street corners. Huge naked holograms selling private technology to make life bearable in a desolate world. Prostitutes on street corners. Not that this is not unexpected or poorly aligned with this dystopian society, but the bodies are heterogeneous, white-skinned females. In a world where we can make a race of super slaves, can code complex AI to replace human relationships, there are no black, brown, male, or sexually ambiguous creations for sale? This feels inaccurate and out of place. One that only women’s bodies are bought and sold and two that somehow the earth is a predominately white makes me side-eye this part of the film? It makes me question again how the the people behind such creatively rich and awe inspiring world can’t get past age old bias and limitation?
What’s to love
The visuals, theme of changing how we define humanity when men play god, and the directing makes this film stand apart.
What’s to hate
If you are looking for an action film in a one-dimensional traditional sense, you are going to hate this.
My recommendation
Give the film a chance and view it with an open mind. Even beyond my qualms with the singular prostitution of the female form, this is slightly offset by strong female leads and the granduer of the film is worth experiencing.
Parents
I wouldn’t bring the kids unless older and mature. There is much nudity (female form only) and some pretty difficult subjects. Well shot but pretty gruesome scenes of murder and mutilation.
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