It is one of the most hotly anticipated movies of 2017, and as early reviews are indicating, "Blade Runner 2049" might become one of the most successful movies of the year.
While the movie debuts in theaters this week, a large part of the plot of “Blade Runner 2049” has been kept under wraps. What we know is that it is a story about K, an LAPD blade runner, who unearths a dark secret that could bring about the demise of humanity. His discovery prompts him to find Rick Deckard, a former blade runner who went missing three decades ago.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, it is a sequel to Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner,” originally released in 1982.
In addition to Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, it stars Robin Wright, Jared Leto, Dave Bautista, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, and Mackenzie Davis.
Main characters
- Officer K (Ryan Gosling): A blade runner assigned with the task of hunting down and exterminating runaway replicants-humanoid androids designed and manufactured to serve humans.
- Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford): Former blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Officer K tracks down and teams up with Deckard in his mission to eliminate disobedient replicants.
- Joshi (Robin Wright): A lieutenant with the LAPD and K’s boss, who believes that Deckard holds the key to something that could change the world.
- Niander Wallace (Jared Leto): A scientist who takes over Tyrell Corporation in order to mass produce a more advanced generation of replicants to accomplish his evil mission.
- Joi (Ana de Armas): K’s virtual live-in love companion.
- Luv (Sylvia Hoeks): Wallace’s right-hand replicant.
- Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista): an ex-soldier who deserted the military.
- Mariette (Mackenzie Davis): a prostitute.
Critics say that the film surpasses the original
The Telegraph’s five-star review is full of praise for the action movie.
Robbie Collin describes it as a “spectacular” and “spiritually staggering” blockbuster, adding that the sequel is better than the first film. Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent agrees, and says that the cinematography and visual effects make it a “tour de force.” The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw also compliments the CGI of the “hallucinatory” film, stating that he has never seen anything like it.
Critics are also raving about the performances of Gosling, Ford, and Leto.
Empire’s Dan Jolin believes that Gosling, 36, is perfect as K, while Ford’s acting is hailed as “possibly the best performance” of the 75-year-old actor’s career.
According to BirthMoviesDeath.com, Leto’s portrayal of a replicant manufacturer is “one of the true pleasant surprises” of the 163-minute-long movie.
Forbes, on the other hand, is less than impressed with the film. Describing the movie as “overlong” and “underwhelming,” Scott Mendelson writes that the film contains breathtaking visuals at the expense of a strong plot and character development.
“Blade Runner 2049” hits theaters Friday, October 6. Watch the official trailer for the movie here.
