Poor GRIMES
Banned
I think I will, just curious if I don't have the time
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Blade Runner 2049 Review Thread
- Thread starter jack_package_200
- Start date
I think I will, just curious if I don't have the time
The reviewer does concede that this sequel should stand on its own but does say that the way(s) 2049 references the original film makes viewing it from that standpoint difficult. A focused story is one thing (and not a negative thing) but you can still have that and maintain some of the elusiveness of the original without it coming off as overly reverent. Also, I think taking what the review actually said and re-labeling it as a "focused story" isn't entirely fair and doesn't take into consideration the whole of the criticism, which mentions a sense of the familiar with a string of sci-fi/fantasy blockbusters of years past and all the bad things that could imply.
But again, who knows, I haven't seen 2049 yet.
No argument here. Covenant kinda sealed that book shut for me in regards to the idea of Scott ever taking the reigns on the BR property. Or Alien for that matter
More_Badass
Member
I feel like I watched a different Blade Runner yesterday. Yes, there was subtext and themes but how was the story and storytelling of Blade Runner unorthodox and slippery?
Now, thrusting the viewer into a story and having them play catch-up through dialogue and details is somewhat unorthodox but its a not-exactly-uncommon device in thrillers, and the core story and storytelling of Blade Runner was surprisingly straight forward and simple. I kind of loved how simple and small the story was. Very slice of life, just another day in this city. Deckard has to find and deal with some escaped Replicants, while those Replicants seek out a way to extend their lifespan.
Its concise, simple, intimate, and aside from the scene with Tyrelll, feels insignificant against the larger scope of the world.
What are the slippery aspects people are talking about?
Nappuccino
Member
Did you watch the Director's Cut or the Final Cut?
The final cut makes a few very minor tweaks that start to reduce the ambiguity of the whole project. But I think some of these claims also come from people who don't watch that many noir films.
Bill R Boggess
Member
Well, I havent seen it yet but I doubt Villeneuve has delivered something that banal or typical given his track record.
His decision to direct the film differently than Scott doesnt automatically translate into some homogenized, artless pabulum.
More_Badass
Member
The final cut
Inferno313
Banned
It's like... am I the only one who read the Variety review where they called it closer to Tarkovsky than Scott?
Yeah this might hit the core of what I'm worried about. But again, maybe it won't be too distracting.
edit: But then again, Niander is played by Jared Leto. Hmmmmmm...
George Oscar Bluth II
Banned
tonysidaway
Member
As this is a new thread and will undoubtedly have a wider readership than earlier threads on the same topic on this forum, here are links to three shorts commissioned by director Denis Villeneuve to bridge the gap between the 2019 of Blade Runner and the 2049 of this sequel.
The first is a 15-minute anime, and is set three years after the events of Blade Runner.
Black Out 2022:
https://youtu.be/rrZk9sSgRyQ
Did you spot Edward James Olmos reprising his role from Blade Runner?
The other two are live action shorts, much shorter than the anime, introducing major characters you'll see in the sequel.
2036: Nexus Dawn
https://youtu.be/UgsS3nhRRzQ
2048: Nowhere to Run
https://youtu.be/aZ9Os8cP_gg
The first is a 15-minute anime, and is set three years after the events of Blade Runner.
Black Out 2022:
https://youtu.be/rrZk9sSgRyQ
Did you spot Edward James Olmos reprising his role from Blade Runner?
The other two are live action shorts, much shorter than the anime, introducing major characters you'll see in the sequel.
2036: Nexus Dawn
https://youtu.be/UgsS3nhRRzQ
2048: Nowhere to Run
https://youtu.be/aZ9Os8cP_gg
Bill R Boggess
Member
I consider Blade Runner one of my very favorite films but honestly, Im not understanding what about the original film was particularly unorthodox in terms of storytelling.
The structure of the film itself is incredibly orthodox and follows the three act script model tightly enough.
To be certain it contains plenty of brilliant artistic flourishes and enjoys scenes that are surrealistic in nature but the actual plot is very straightforward.
Which isnt a bad thing by the way; simplicity often yields the greatest art.
The structure of the film itself is incredibly orthodox and follows the three act script model tightly enough.
To be certain it contains plenty of brilliant artistic flourishes and enjoys scenes that are surrealistic in nature but the actual plot is very straightforward.
Which isnt a bad thing by the way; simplicity often yields the greatest art.
Thanks! I knew there were shorts out there in the wild somewhere but it's nice having them all collected in one post here.
Jellycrackers
Member
Childcare secured for the earliest possible matinee I could find in my city on Friday! My wife doesn't care about this nearly as much as I do, but MAN I am hyped!
Bill R Boggess
Member
To be honest, Im only paying attention to the broad strokes of these reviews because Im avoiding pretty much all spoilers.
My argument is predicated on the assumption that Villeneuve isnt suddenly going to abandon his previous style and nuance when directing this sequel.
tonysidaway
Member
Oh don't do that. I'm already hyped out the wazoo.
Chained Prometheus
Member
Even before Ridley did Prometheus and now Covenant, I thought it was a bad idea for him to revisit Blade Runner himself. Hell, until Villeneuve was announced to direct, I thought it was probably a bad idea for anyone to go and try their hand at it- which is rare for me, as I'm usually someone who tries to look at these sorts of things from a more optimistic perspective and think of ways that something can work.
But while I personally prefer Covenant over Prometheus, the former definitely sealed the deal for me that Ridley would be a bad pick to helm 2049. Covenant is a blockbuster horror-action film that thinks it's far smarter a film than it actually is, coming off as hilariously full of itself in the process.
That sense of Ridley stroking his own ego with the themes he's practically screaming to audiences via the narrative with David and the origins of the Xenomorphs in Covenant would undoubtedly be present in his take of 2049 and probably to a much more dramatic effect.
I was the guy who directly referred to that part of the Variety review in here in the first place. lol
But yeah, it's kinda frustrating, isn't it?
SuperStiltzkin
Member
I wouldn't be surprised. They got Leto and Benedict Wong and Bautista to do the other two shorts. Could have tapped him to do a few lines of dialogue.
Naughty_Doge
Member
Oh shit. I welcome our Villeneuve overlord.
tonysidaway
Member
He is the voice actor in that anime, yes. Isn't that cool?
Holy shit the Anime one is good... and feels important. Animatrix level stuff here.
tonysidaway
Member
Discussed in the following thread, which is titled "Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (short anime by Shinichiro Watanabe) is out."
http://m.neogaf.com/showthread.php?t=1438725
That was all I gathered from the two paragraphs in the review (trying to tip-toe around spoilers) that too bad it couldn't be less like typical run-of-the-mill sci-fi with a chase/quest narrative, which is a pretty harsh criticism. Scott's BR was that too, but maybe in a less obvious or linear way? I have no idea. We definitely need to see 2049 first to sort out the criticisms!
Twin Peaks: The Return
Yeah I can't really say anything else about that either until we all actually see it. It's gonna be a long week!
The two most common criticisms I'm seeing are related to the script. The first is Niander clashes with the tone of the movie. He delivers lot of philosophical lines and monologue. Everybody else seems to be more lowkey. The second is that some plot points might not make sense. Some reviewers seem unsure so it might be arguable.
The OST appears to be fine at best but doesn't enhance the film.
The OST appears to be fine at best but doesn't enhance the film.
Discotheque
Banned
Seeing it be called more of a chase movie compared to the languid super moody sci fi noir of the original is a bit disappointing. But that's to be expected now anyways and plus the trailers were already gearing us up for some of that
Glad to hear it's apparently pretty great though.
Edit: well only one review said it really. Pretty hyped for this one.
Glad to hear it's apparently pretty great though.
Edit: well only one review said it really. Pretty hyped for this one.
Yeah that was a concern I had earlier which I brought up in one of the trailer threads. Feels like they're trying to channel Tyrell but it just doesn't feel the same. Tyrell's philosophical proclamations reveal his arrogance but also his sincere belief in his accomplishments which simultaneously gives credibility and undercuts what he says.
RT consensus is up at 97% https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blade_runner_2049/
jack_package_200
Banned
Even if it is a chase movie, I appreciate it being different/trying something new instead of just being the first film again.
I appreciate Villenueve's love of risk-taking.
Scott Mendelson disliking it confirms the movie will be great and it will be amazing if Armond White disliked it, too.
SchrodingerC
Member
What's with some of these reviews containing spoilers? Like, christ critics, be respectful of your readers and write around major plot points or be vague as possible.
Besides that, I'm excited to read the positive reviews. My dad will especially be happy since he's a major BR fan.
Besides that, I'm excited to read the positive reviews. My dad will especially be happy since he's a major BR fan.
More_Badass
Member
Theres one in particular that seems like a part of the general premise of the movie rather than being some crucial twist or major plot reveal, making it kind of hard to talk about the movie without mentioning it
tonysidaway
Member
There may be some ambiguity about the meaning of the term "spoiler." It is never used consistently. If people are reading detailed reviews when alternatives like Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes are available to summarise the consensus of critics, there is a high likelihood that they will read a lot of detailed information about the film. "A piece of information I would rather not know" seems to be what most people mean by the term "spoiler."
BronsonLee
Member
If Craig wants it bad enough it'll happen
Deakins may want to do another Bond too
Deakins may want to do another Bond too
Maybe.. but I feel like Denis could possibly top Casino Royale, and just the thought of that has me excited.
But yeah, one or the other and I would be just fine.
Biggest-Geek-Ever
Member
But would you take Cleopatra over Bond?
Discotheque
Banned
Pretty cool that Bond is a property that both Nolan and Villeneuve will eventually be interested in making
I don't know if either of them gets Craig's last movie but one things for sure the next bond actor gonna have some dope shit lined up for him
I don't know if either of them gets Craig's last movie but one things for sure the next bond actor gonna have some dope shit lined up for him
Its been a few years since I last watched Blade Runner but Im currently one hour into the Final Cut, and even if I am understanding the general plot much better, I have a little harder time following the detective work going on. Can someone explain this to me:
Deckard is in possession of a photo (I didnt pay enough attention to where he got it from, was it from the replicant girl who visited him earlier?) but what is it he sees when he zooms all the way in on a ladys chin in the mirror? Is it a snake tattoo connecting the stripper he eventually finds with the stripper club he pays a visit?
Warm Machine
Member
He finds the photo at Leon's Apartment just like the scale. When he zooms in he sees Zhora was in Leon's apartment. He has no idea where Leon is at that point and though the scale was his. There isn't a snake tattoo. He doesn't even know the scale is from a snake, he thought it was from a fish. Then he figures the scale will lead him to her so he tracks down who made the snake.
Fun fact, similar thing was used in Black Rain with the sequin from the dress.