“SKumm’s Thoughts”
BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2016, R, 163 minutes, 16:14 ENTERTAINMENT/COLUMBIA
PICTURES)
It is a well-known fact in the world of science fiction that the best tales
of the future are the ones that explore the human element, and the place of
humans within that possible tomorrow. Not
some giant robots, exploding Death Stars, and (sharks with) laser beams (on
their frickin’ heads).
In recent years, a few directors have tried to not redefine the genre, but
honestly show you the true meaning of it.
From Duncan Jones’s brilliant MOON, to Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR,
smart sci-fi isn’t something that is released all that often. (Mainly due to the lack of laser blasters and
evil aliens.) A few years ago, director Denis
Villeneuve (SICARIO) also reminded us that science fiction is supposed to be thought-provoking;
his understanding of the genre—almost to a fault—brought us the singular vision
which was ARRIVAL, a film heavy on the human element.
Having him at the helm of a sequel which took thirty-five years to bring to
fruition is an act of sheer genius on the part of Ridley Scott, the man who
brought the genre back on track way back in 1982 with the original BLADE
RUNNER. No other film in recent years
(honestly, you kinda have to go back to what Sir Scott created in ’82 to even
compare) comes even close to touching the visionary poetry on display
here. Working from Syd Meade’s artistic
rendering of a realistic future in the first film, the crew here (including Mr.
Meade, who is credited in both films as the “visual futurist”) expands upon
that world in rich layers of muted color and derelict structures. This is a future Los Angeles—future America—steeped in human overabundance
and waste. Even the neighboring
“farmland” feels claustrophobic and overbearing, both of which are visual
effects Sir Scott has incorporated into his best films. That influence is not lost on Villeneuve;
there are several personal nods to the first film, which reverberate throughout
the storytelling.
That doesn’t mean this is a rehash of the source material; if anything,
this is a wholly new tale which incorporates all the best things from that
groundbreaking vision created decades ago.
The story centers on “K”, played with a seeming emotionless and muted
thoughtfulness by Ryan Gosling, a Blade Runner who starts off hunting another
“skin-job”, and winds up neck deep in an investigation which has him
questioning his own place in things. And
that’s as much of a description of the story as you are getting out of me; you
all know I don’t do spoilers, and I won’t ruin any aspect of the tale by giving
you any hints of things to watch for or story arcs to pay closer attention
to. This is a tale best witnessed by
yourself, and it might take more than one viewing for you to get
everything. Seriously.
Yes, Harrison Ford is back as “Deckard”.
Yes, there are still flying cars.
Yes, those sweet looking guns are still in use, and Japanese influences
are still abundant. What is most
surprising here, though, is the sweet and desperate underlying love story, the
human and non-human battles for symmetry and the grace of life, and the
struggles with identity and death.
Again: it is the human element, whether concerning a Homo sapiens or
otherwise, which drive tales of science fiction. And this tale is one of brutal
beauty and subtle love. At almost two
hours and forty-five minutes, you would think it could all get overbearing and
really freaking heavy at times. But
under the genius eye of cinematographer Roger Deakins (THE SHAWSHANK
REDEMPTION, SICARIO), every aspect of the landscape, not to mention the
perspective of every character, is captured in such a way that you never feel
alienated. You are necessary to the
viewing of this modern masterpiece; after all, it is your emotions which
complete the experience.
Do not wait for this to come out on video, as this style of visual
storytelling is best seen larger than life and onscreen. Do yourself the favor of seeing it now. It isn’t often that we get to witness
something as original and visually striking as…well, as BLADE RUNNER, really.
Grade: A+
-- T.S. Kummelman
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