Blade Runner 2049

[Julius Seeker]

I'm actually kind of excited about this one. I didn't really like the original, but I appreciated the Japanese influenced artistic direction of the futuristic vision. I also appreciate the performances; the hammy-emotional performances, didn't seem to connect to the viewer, like there was something missing in truly empathizing with them - very robotic, and I am not sure if this was intended or not, but I like how it worked out. Unfortunately, as much as I can appreciate this film, I have trouble sitting through more than 30 minutes of this film at a time. In that regard, it's probably one of the least watchable well done films I can think of.

That said, I am really looking forward to this sequel. It's got a fantastic cast:

Dave Bautista - who broke into show business as a WWE superstar Batista. I imagine he's playing the main replicant.
Robin Wright - The Princess Bride
Gosling and Leto - Actors from our generation, each have their experience in semi-artsy films.
Mackenzie Davis - Who first made a splash as the lead in Black Mirror's San Junipero.
Edward James Olmos - Who more recently made a big splash as the star of the Battlestar Galactica remake.
Harrison Ford - Harrison Ford.

I trust Ridley Scott won't The Thing prequel this early 80s classic.

[Julius Seeker]

I just got back from watching it. Beautiful film.

It answered all the questions lingering from the first film. Much of the time the plot feels like a vessel to explore the culture and visuals of the world, as well as it’s history, and the politics.

Again, like Arrival, the plot twist stuck out like a sore thumb, so it’s easy to guess the moment the critical piece comes into play, a long time before it was intended. The difference is that knowing the twist doesn’t ruin the movie, it only changes the perspective - as this film isn’t nearly as plot dependent; don’t get me wrong, it is plotted out, but the core of the film IMO is its themes, the society, and the developing political situation spanning over a 30 year period

Also, it’s wide open for a sequel.

Minor spoilers below

Spoiler: show

The Wallace Corp looks to be expanding into space. It is reminiscent of the Spacer Worlds in Asimov’s universe. They specify that they set up 9 new space colonies. If I remember from Blade Runner, they had only set up colonies in our solar system, and used replicants as slave labour.

2049 sets up an all out rebellion of Replicants. I’d guess the next film will have a space element to it.

[Julius Seeker]

And then there's these shorts which take place between the first and the second film.