Day 114 - Blade Runner 2049

Day 114          Blade Runner 2049 [2017]

                          

Screenplay                    Hampton Fancher & Michael Green

Based on                       ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ by Philip K. Dick

Director                         Denis Villeneuve

Cinematography            Roger Deakins

Music                            Hans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch

Leads                            Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Harrison Ford, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Barkhad Abdi

Production                     Alcon Entertainment, Colombia Pictures, Bud Yorkin Productions, Torridon Films, 16:14 Entertainment, Scott Free Productions

IMDb                                 8.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes                87%

I wish I’d watched this at the cinema, or at least on a better TV, rather than my 24-inch Sony television from the noughties. After I was unimpressed by the original Blade Runner (Day 60), I was interested to see whether this was worth the hype. Or whether it was just the die-hards doing a good job of marketing it. I’ve got to say I loved this, despite the viewing platform. The set design and cinematography were mesmerising. Deakins doing it yet again. The incredible space and desert vibe wides, the moody mid-shots of Leto’s lair. The editing team also deserve a huge hand for the whole ‘Joi’ platform/hologram/personal assistant thing that was going on. That shot where the big pink Joi (Ana de Armas) talks to a bruised K (Gosling) especially comes to mind. The music gets the spine fizzing with its deep vibrations. [Shout out to the friend I watch it with who has predicted the future of music will be different levels of vibration – she called it first and here’s the proof]. The Deakins-Zimmer combination was unlikely to fail. No weak characters in this cast. As good as the men were (Gosling was better than expected) I thought it was the lovely ladies who won it in this. Ana de Armas in particular was spellbinding, but I also thought Juri, Davis and Hoeks were strong. I have to pick some holes, it wouldn’t be like me not to. Joi reminded me way too much of Her (Day 70), mainly because of the scene with Davis. I also thought the plot itself was overly confusing and convoluted at stages. I’m afraid I will not be justifying that statement as I’m sure you could trawl the internet for hours reading fan theories, as well as having your own opinion, and that’s what is important after all. It is also just a small gripe as overall, I liked this and will be watching it again when I can afford a better television.

Acting                           3.5 / 4

Writing                             3 / 4

Cinematography               4 / 4

Music                               4 / 4

HWF rating              3.5 / 4