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Blade Runner 2049 Review Thread
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Inferno313
Banned
Have you never seen it? Yeah, you absolutely should. It's one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.
(Also you might not like it the first time, but that's ok.)
LegendofDragoonLives
Member
I watched the OG Blade Runner recently. It's no masterpiece even if it is a great film.
Inferno313
Banned
Shit. LegendofDragoonLives decrees it ISN'T a masterpiece.
My life has been a lie.
My life has been a lie.
Haloid1177
Banned
I was shocked at home good Atmos was for the original film last night. If the new one takes better advantage of that technology it'll be a real treat.
Yeah I've never seen it but I already got tickets to the new one for next week. Will watch the original this weekend!
Be prepared for a movie that is extremely slow.
Only movie i fell asleep to 3times trying to get through. And the last time i forced myself i couldnt really get much enjoyment out if it aside from the amazing production
Going to try a new watch tonight prob
LegendofDragoonLives
Member
Just adding my input, though that was the point online in a website such as gaf? No reason to get childish because someone doesn't share your love for the first movie.
Stop trolling me, it'searly
Inferno313
Banned
I vehemently disagree that it's a slow film. Saw it in a theater for the first time last night, and both myself and my fiancé (who will openly admit that she has a notoriously terrible attention span) agreed that it fuckin' flew by.
It's a film noir, ultimately. So go into it expecting that. For a film noir, though, it's actually pretty fast-paced. The classics of the genre, Double Indemnity, The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon would really put some of you guys to sleep.
I'm just goofin' with you, my dude.
ronaldthump
Member
its not film noir.
It totally is.
Inferno313
Banned
What? It's one the originators of the tech-noir subgenre.
-Plasma Reus-
Service guarantees member status
I will be watching in Imax. Anyone able to say whether that diminishes the experience?
More_Badass
Member
Blade Runner is absolutely sci-fi noir, it practically invented the notion of blending detective noir with science fiction
ronaldthump
Member
but this new film isn't. Its got very some commonalities with ridley's version (because its s a sequel) but 2049 is more a moderately paced detective story that leaves that genre behind. If you said OG blade runner was film noir, I'd agree.
Inferno313
Banned
That's what we're talking about...
I also find your critique of 2049 interesting, because a number of the reviews I've read said it dives further into the detective story aspects than the original, but I haven't seen it yet so I can't refute you on that point, haha.
Shake Appeal
Member
This is certainly an opinion.
NealMcCauley
Member
Maybe we should start saying BR1 and BR2 when we're specifically discussing a movie.
Blade Runner took inspiration from so much of the film noire genre, it's not even up for debate.
Hell, several of the filmmakers even took to the classic 70's Moebius comic The Long Tomorrow for visual inspiration, and that comic is pretty much the precursor to cyberpunk and is filled to the brim with the stylistic visuals and story beats of typical noire but with some sci-fi thrown in.
Hell, several of the filmmakers even took to the classic 70's Moebius comic The Long Tomorrow for visual inspiration, and that comic is pretty much the precursor to cyberpunk and is filled to the brim with the stylistic visuals and story beats of typical noire but with some sci-fi thrown in.
Inferno313
Banned
I've always meant to read this. I think I'll reserve this and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (never read it either!) from the library.
It's a great but short read. It helped create cyberpunk as we know it.
Also, fun fact!
The writer of the comic, Dan O'Bannon, was the writer for Alien!
Kenzodielocke
Banned
This movie has so much more detective noir than the original Blade Runner.
How did you like it?
Kenzodielocke
Banned
Liked it very much. Like, I left the theatre 4 hours ago, and thought, this was pretty good. Now, that I had a bit time to think, I feel even better on the movie. It takes time to set in.
More_Badass
Member
Thats great to hear. I dont think the trailers ever really gave that impression
And while the original Blade Runner certainly combined noir and sci-fi, I wouldnt called it a detective noir plot. The narrative was more of a straight forward chase thriller IMO
Jellycrackers
Member
Been listening to the score today. I'm definitely loving it, and I imagine I will even more once I've seen the movie.
I'll get crucified for this I'm sure because there's a weird amount of elitism and nostalgia goggles about the first movie, but I didn't like the score of the original. Those really exposed and isolated 80s synths are just really corny/cheesy to me. I also don't like that slow noir jazz style in some of the original's cues. Never liked Jazz.
This new score is more up my alley. It still uses tons of that CS-80 brass sound, but more layered and atmospheric, not so exposed. The tracks are really emotional and there's a ton of interesting sound design and nuance within all of the atmospheres and textures. And what little "action" music I've heard is really nice and gritty. My favorite track so far is "Mesa", which has a good selection of both beautiful and gritty.
I'll get crucified for this I'm sure because there's a weird amount of elitism and nostalgia goggles about the first movie, but I didn't like the score of the original. Those really exposed and isolated 80s synths are just really corny/cheesy to me. I also don't like that slow noir jazz style in some of the original's cues. Never liked Jazz.
This new score is more up my alley. It still uses tons of that CS-80 brass sound, but more layered and atmospheric, not so exposed. The tracks are really emotional and there's a ton of interesting sound design and nuance within all of the atmospheres and textures. And what little "action" music I've heard is really nice and gritty. My favorite track so far is "Mesa", which has a good selection of both beautiful and gritty.
ronaldthump
Member
what is detective noir even? It's just a guy who's meant to investigate investigating things.
More_Badass
Member
Was literally about to link this video lol.
Inferno313
Banned
Noir, like any genre, is defined by a set of tropes and conventions. Not every noir film will have every trope of the noir genre, but that doesn't just mean the genre can be summed up as being about "a guy who's meant to investigate things."
Noir is often defined by moral ambiguity and cynicism, first and foremost. Blade Runner has that in spades, cynicism about the future of humanity, cynicism about society's need for a disposable workforce. Moral ambiguity in the framing of Deckard, a murderous cop who isn't all that good of a guy, as our protagonist.
Noir is also defined by it's visual style, a low-key moody style that evokes German Expressionism. Blade Runner's aesthetics fit this look clearly.
There's a lot more to the genre than just that, but there's you basic-ass "first-day of film 101 class" definition.
Cool man. Glad you enjoyed it. Still debating whether I should see it tonight after work or not. I don't want to be tired after a day of work and the runtime is a bit long. Might be best to hold off until Sat morning when I'm alert and rested
Just touching on the "iconic" debate earlier.
The Thing was considered to be trash when it came out. Today, it's one of the most iconic films of all time.
As for the premiere today, I'm psyched. Premium seats, going to a nice restaurant before then. It's going to be a sweet evening.
The Thing was considered to be trash when it came out. Today, it's one of the most iconic films of all time.
As for the premiere today, I'm psyched. Premium seats, going to a nice restaurant before then. It's going to be a sweet evening.
Kenzodielocke
Banned
Definitely go in fit. Movie is dark at times, visually and thematically.
Inferno313
Banned
Fun fact: The Thing and Blade Runner opened on the same day in 1982. They both bombed in the box office. Why? Partly because a little film called "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" opened the weekend prior.
More_Badass
Member
Lets not forget Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Also this, especially the bolded. The different visual styles of noire borrowed a lot of the surreal stuff found in early 20th century German classics like Metropolis and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Maybe not in set design, but certainly in lighting.
QuantumZebra
Member
God I can't fucking wait
Bill R Boggess
Member
Dicks novel is different from the film in many ways but still fantastic.
Insane Metal
Member
That's a great video, thanks for sharing.
Just to add some stuff:
- Noir is hard boiled detective story, meaning the crimes are happening as the detective is working the case (he doesn't pop up after the fact like the guys in CSI)
- He descends down to the "underworld" and has to fight not to become part of it (he is often drunk etc.). Noir detectives are always hurt or beaten up at some point in the movie.
- There's often a Femme fatale, a dangerous ambiguous woman that lures the detective
- It evoked German expressionism, but more concretely it uses a lot of hard light, often from one light source creating harsh shadows. This was a contrast to the clean, glamorous hollywood look of that time (1940s-50s). And there's a lot of "psychological" imagery like stairs, doors, rain etc.
- A lot of the story happens in transitory places, meet ups in train stations, on the street, there's not much of a home or private sphere.
- Voice over. Double indemnity has clever solutions to two of the biggest problem with voice overs: "where does the voice come from?" and "if we hear a voice telling everything, doesn't that mean the characters survives the movie?"
Shiiiit man.
My theater just updated with the Blade Runner double feature, starting at 4:30. But I cannot order tickets with Movie Pass until I'm at the theater (can't order until later in the day). Hopefully I can make it in to a showing, it's reserved seating.
That's a long time to spend at the movies though, from 430 to probably 1030 or something lol.
Anyone know which version of Blade Runner they show?
My theater just updated with the Blade Runner double feature, starting at 4:30. But I cannot order tickets with Movie Pass until I'm at the theater (can't order until later in the day). Hopefully I can make it in to a showing, it's reserved seating.
That's a long time to spend at the movies though, from 430 to probably 1030 or something lol.
Anyone know which version of Blade Runner they show?
Inferno313
Banned
They were doing standalone screenings of OG Blade Runner last night, and they were all the final cut, so probably that one.
Isn't that considered the best one?
Just looked it up and it looks like they are indeed final cut.
Lights and Waves
Member
Tonight's the night!