Blade Runner 2049

[supergrafx77]

Best movie I have ever seen.
Strider 77 is right, it lived up to its predecessor, but I think even surpassed the original as well as any other movie imaginable.
I am still in a state of disbelief how good this movie was, visuals/sound/masterpiece of art.

[Skykid]

Best movie I have ever seen.
Strider 77 is right, it lived up to its predecessor, but I think even surpassed the original as well as any other movie imaginable.
I am still in a state of disbelief how good this movie was, visuals/sound/masterpiece of art.

Well I'm surprised.

China has a release date too, November 11th, but my god I'm going to have to pick my battles wisely to see this. The cinemas here are mostly godly in terms of tech, but less so in terms of patron. I left War for The Planet of The Apes on first attempt after 40 minutes because some dumb bitch was sitting behind me narrating events to her friend as if she was a deaf mute retard and couldn't see the screen - which is weirdly common in Chinese theatres - but this was only after the group arrived 15 minutes late and one spent 5 minutes finishing her phone conversation. And this all while having to ignore several other fucktards using their phones in front of me, taking pictures of the screen with the flash on, and generally conversing like they're in their home.

The only way I'll be safe, possibly, to see BR2049 is in one particular IMAX that's kind of out of the way, and I'll need a weekday midnight showing. That was the auditorium is big enough that in the event of any Chinese people attending, I'll be able to move seat out of earshot. Difficult when you need to wake up at 7am every day though.

[Skykid]

I've questioned Skykid numerous times why instead of watching a TV series he continually goes and sees films that everyone knows he will at best not hate, and probably eviscerate at some point (or oddly enough say they're not that bad and be the only person that thinks so) and it seems to be a time commitment.

It's definitely a time constraint. In recent years the only TV I've managed successfully are:

Breaking Bad - fun, but not always, and obviously overrated
Stranger Things - Pretty great by ep3 and very enjoyable
Castlevania - Shit, didn't even bother with the last episode
American Vandal - Very entertaining, although it took a while to adjust to it being staged, and I wasn't cool with the ending

Do you know I'm the only motherfucker on earth who hasn't seen Game of Thrones? And people remind me constantly. I'd like to watch Westworld if possible, but again I'd need to work it into my schedule.

So film is kind of where I end up when I snatch time not working on the PC or whatever. And I wish that wasn't the case, but I'm worried if I start TV I'll end up not finishing it, which would be sad.

(or oddly enough say they're not that bad and be the only person that thinks so)

It is true that occasionally I see movies being ragged on so hard that when I see them they don't actually live up to the anti-hype. I mean, I can see what's wrong with them of course - flaws rarely escape me - and I'll make a note of those flaws as heavy-handedly as is necessary when discussing said movies. I assume you're referring to GITS and Covenant; but I assure you, I gave them fair negatives. GITS wasn't as bad as was made out, and as anime to film adaptations go, it was reworked as a theatrical product with surprising balance and certainly didn't pander to the average Hollywood archetype until the finale, which I mentioned numerous times to be so fucking awful it just about destroyed the entire thing.

Covenant similarly. I think I ragged on it harder first watch than second, but that's because I knew where the shit was on repeat, and just accepted what it was and tried to focus on the Fassbender and other "qualities" where they happened to arise.

[GaijinPunch]

I recently watch American Vandal.

Definitely want to check this out... not sure how it can hold itself longer than a trailer but I love the idea.

[GaijinPunch]

China has a release date too, November 11th, but my god I'm going to have to pick my battles wisely to see this. The cinemas here are mostly godly in terms of tech, but less so in terms of patron. I left War for The Planet of The Apes on first attempt after 40 minutes because some dumb bitch was sitting behind me narrating events to her friend as if she was a deaf mute retard and couldn't see the screen - which is weirdly common in Chinese theatres -

Sounds like the same people in those "worst Chinese tourists" buzzfeed-esque lists that I must admit, are fucking entertaining.

Breaking Bad - fun, but not always, and obviously overrated

Can't concur, since I started at Season 1 when it was virtually unknown. Besides, is being overrated a fault of it's own? I think the quality and pacing held true to the very end. I can't say that w/ Game of Thrones with this season having every episode turn into a blockbuster comic movie. I get that they need to tie shit up, but the boiling tension was it's selling point. And the boobies.

It is true that occasionally I see movies being ragged on so hard that when I see them they don't actually live up to the anti-hype.

I think this is the nature of the building up expectations... not only do I not want to read reviews these days, I almost want to hear no impression either. It's hard to go into Blade Runner 2049 and not expect a masterpiece when so many people say it is. For the record, I was pretty amazed and VERY delighted, mostly b/c it was executed so well. However, I feel I am not as enamored of it as most. That already makes it sound like I think it's only mediocre or just "good". I don't, it was dope - and the best thing by far I've seen in the first run theater in... damn... definitely 2017 and probably 2016, but I've seen very little. Not to mention Strider77's analogy of it to Fury Road is pretty spot on. That's not to say the Zen's interrogative stance of "why?" is not 100% valid either.

Having said that, it is hard to not go into GitS and Covenant with SUPER low expectations and pick out the good stuff. There is some decent stuff there... but to me it was impossible to get over the bad stuff, mainly b/c I could tell from the trailers what a lot of it was, and low and behold, it was there. To BR2049's praise, a lot of the dialogue that hit really hard in the trailer and had me worried seemed like more of an afterthought in the actual film.

didn't pander to the average Hollywood archetype until the finale, which I mentioned numerous times to be so fucking awful it just about destroyed the entire thing.

It explained literally ALL of the backstory of not only The Major but also Batou. To me, that's pandering to the lowest common denominator. There was no subtlety or mystery. And that's just one bullet point. I can't believe they let Beat Takeshi deliver all of his lines in Japanese. For that they deserve praise, as he is a capable English speaker, although his speech impediment may have been more to blame than anything.

[kaicooper]

Masterpiece of this Generation
best sequal ever after Terminator 2

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Another cool Easter Egg BR 2049 visual nod: Notice that the backside of the LAPD officers' coats have the actual "LAPD" letters that are self lighted via slick electro-luminscent based panels (that are powered by hidden batteries) and quite visible during the night-time patrol scenes. How cool is that?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Same as the ones used in Tron: Legacy?

It seems like the same company that did the cool self illuminating neon suits in Tron Legacy were the same folks to possibly use the same technology in the futuristic LAPD coats as well. It's interesting to note that this proprietary self illuminating technology isn't for sale to the general public.

Another heavy subject matter that's very prevalent in BR 2049 is the portrayal of AI combined with holography used with one character, Joi.

Another cool BR 2049 visual nod: Notice when the Luv character has her nails done, the nail polish is interactive with the end-user (perhaps using nanotechnology). This strongly reminds me of the high-tech finger nail painting scene shown in the 1990 Total Recall flick indeed. It"s the little details/minitae in the background scenery that makes BR 2049 become alive.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Skykid]

Masterpiece of this Generation
best sequal ever after Terminator 2

That ain't saying much.

Sounds like the same people in those "worst Chinese tourists" buzzfeed-esque lists that I must admit, are fucking entertaining.

For my own entertainment, I'd love a link. Via PM if you think it's more appropriate.

It explained literally ALL of the backstory of not only The Major but also Batou. To me, that's pandering to the lowest common denominator. There was no subtlety or mystery. And that's just one bullet point. I can't believe they let Beat Takeshi deliver all of his lines in Japanese. For that they deserve praise, as he is a capable English speaker, although his speech impediment may have been more to blame than anything.

It wasn't even that that irked me so, it was more the terrible Hollywood cliche that it succumbed to like a crippling disease. They had to make the corporate villain be the ultimate mastermind sleaze, and they even had him controlling the fucking weaponry to snuff out the protagonist - as if someone that high up corporate ranks could ever be fucked to do that kind of dirty work. And of course the wrap up of that thread had to be Takeshi sealing the envelope with bullets. It was shoddy and horrible, including the whole parting repartee between android chums, and generally hacked into the film I felt; which was surprising because a lot of the scenes and sequences were rather well handled. I liked the scene where she meets the old Japanese lady in her home (no spoilers), and the Yakuza bar shootout where Bateau picks up heavy weaponry via the gents toilet window; and some of the stuff between Johannsen and Pitt were quite well done. It wasn't a great movie, but it was a better, less by-the-numbers sci-if movie than I expected - until that last shitty act.

[GaijinPunch]

For my own entertainment, I'd love a link. Via PM if you think it's more appropriate.

I'll have to dig it up. Googling turns up FAR too many hits. I'll tell you one of the nightmare ones though: lady let's her kid shit on a blanket in the bulkhead area and then takes it to the bathroom.

Anyway, while we're here, my prediction of your grading of the film will be something like a Nolan film. Not bad, definitely has it's problems, worth going to see, but not worth all the praise it gets. We'll see how it turns out. It has way less zingers and memorable one liners (does it have any?) that Nolan film has, and of course it's dark as shit - not scrimping on the violence or skin. Guess time will tell.

[xxx1993]

Jared Leto doesn't do a lot in the movie, actually. Not to mention he has very little screen time. He only had like, what, two or three scenes?

[bigbadboaz]

That's two in a row for Leto, LOL.

So, good/bad idea for someone who hasn't seen the first one yet to rush out and see this? Can it stand alone/will it fuck up continuity not to make sure to sit down with the original BR first?

[GaijinPunch]

That's two in a row for Leto, LOL.

So, good/bad idea for someone who hasn't seen the first one yet to rush out and see this? Can it stand alone/will it fuck up continuity not to make sure to sit down with the original BR first?

It can but you'll probably be upset you did. Watch the original first. Actually... you should have seen it even if this didn't come out. What the fuck is wrong w/ you? You might get your nerd card revoked.

[kaicooper]

That ain't saying much.

exactly..this's the point

[kaicooper]

That's two in a row for Leto, LOL.

So, good/bad idea for someone who hasn't seen the first one yet to rush out and see this? Can it stand alone/will it fuck up continuity not to make sure to sit down with the original BR first?

u wanna skip greatest Noir Sci Fi? Terrible idea
watch it first then watch 2049

[PC Engine Fan X!]

That's two in a row for Leto, LOL.

So, good/bad idea for someone who hasn't seen the first one yet to rush out and see this? Can it stand alone/will it fuck up continuity not to make sure to sit down with the original BR first?

u wanna skip greatest Noir Sci Fi? Terrible idea
watch it first then watch 2049

Watch the original 1982 theatrical version of Blade Runner in either Blu-Ray or 4K UHD format for best picture and audio-wise. Then watch the Real D 3D version of Blade Runner 2049 on the big screen. Easy as pie.

Three of the original cast members return in fine form from the 1st BR film for the 2nd BR sequel this time around (even if the latter two are just cameo appearances at best).

----------------------------
BR 2049 Factoid: Due to the plot differences between the multiple cuts of Blade Runner (1982) the people questioned which version of the original film is used as a canon for the sequel. Although Denis Villeneuve expressed his love for the original theatrical cut, he stated that his film (BR 2049) is a following of the 'Final Cut' version released in 2007. (Source -- imdb.com)
----------------------------

So if we go by the original 1982 theatrical version of BR, then Deckard is human whereas with by going with the "Final Cut" version, then Deckard is considered a Replicant. So then in this new BR 2049 sequel, Deckard is a replicant BR (probably an advanced Nexus 8 prototype with a natural lifespan) in his old age -- it all makes sense now. The anime short story of BR 2022: Blackout mentions something about a "dirty bomb" being set off that brought down the mighty Tyrell Corporation empire (with it's motto of "More Human than Human" with it's Nexus 6 line of replicants) once & for all -- giving rise to a new corporation by the name of Wallace Corporation that resumes production of replicants in 2032 headed by Niander Wallace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrZk9sSgRyQ

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Skykid]

For my own entertainment, I'd love a link. Via PM if you think it's more appropriate.

I'll have to dig it up. Googling turns up FAR too many hits. I'll tell you one of the nightmare ones though: lady let's her kid shit on a blanket in the bulkhead area and then takes it to the bathroom.

Anyway, while we're here, my prediction of your grading of the film will be something like a Nolan film. Not bad, definitely has it's problems, worth going to see, but not worth all the praise it gets. We'll see how it turns out. It has way less zingers and memorable one liners (does it have any?) that Nolan film has, and of course it's dark as shit - not scrimping on the violence or skin. Guess time will tell.

I sincerely hope it's more accomplished than a Nolan film.

[rapoon]

Saw it tonight.

Visual - Syd Mead worked on it. Really not much else to say.
Audio - I cannot think of an comparable auditory experience (in a theater). I write this with a certain degree of hesitation... the score is equivalent to the original. edit: Nevermind. I was a bit hasty in that claim.

However, you strip away the aforementioned facets and there's not much left. Regardless, phenomenal movie.

[Obiwanshinobi]

It's all waning into irrelevance these days, but I've usually winced at the original Blade Runner OST. Used to be biased against Vangelis in general, or more specifically - against the image of "electronic" music he was a sort of poster boy for. Even way back when the radio station listened to at my home worked on solidifying said image, just before I grew to actively seek my music of choice, I'd felt there could be done so much more with synthesizers, samplers and such.
Or - in other words - my idea of "science fiction" at the time was very unfitting the movie producers' idea of "science fiction music". Interestingly, so was that of George Lucas (John Williams?)* A.D. 1977 - Star Wars OST went quite against the grain of contemporary Hollywood music.

*) I think primarily Lucas - the music sounds as derived from The Hidden Fortress as a number of scenes look.

[Ixmucane2]

A very good combination of SF and noir, successfully tackling the special challenge of being a consistent and coherent sequel of a peculiar original.

Plenty of events, objects and situations are puzzling and/or unexplained, but they are usually the tip of deliberately ignored icebergs of irrelevant background and implied subplots; a few are truly dangling (e.g. the yellow flower, filed away in an evidence bag) or important enough to deserve more explanations (e.g. the technology of planting memories), but the worst plot problems are predictability (of the nontrivial kind that makes the viewer feel clever) and a disappointing open ending when things get interesting.

[GaijinPunch]

I sincerely hope it's more accomplished than a Nolan film.

It is. I just think you'll have similar irks.

In Nolan's defense, the Dark Knight films which made him famous, are still comic book movies. The fact that he made them what the are is no small feat. I think the arguments made against Dunkirk are far more valid.

Blade Runner OST

This seems to be a sticking point. A lot of people are claiming it's derivative. Not sure of a sequel that has an all new, "risky" soundtrack. It's about what I expected: A modernized version of Vangelis' original, and it worked. For me it did anyway. On that note, I'm not a huge Vangelis fan. A lot of those guys got really cheesy in the 80's (Tangerine Dream, anyone?) but I hold the original soundtrack in quite high regard. I still don't think it's the best soundtrack ever though.

EDIT: For the record, the majority of my music collection would fall under "electronic".

[bigbadboaz]

It can but you'll probably be upset you did. Watch the original first. Actually... you should have seen it even if this didn't come out. What the fuck is wrong w/ you? You might get your nerd card revoked.

Not for me.. for a friend who wants to come along. Thanks for the info.

LOL, I don't have a "nerd card".

[BulletMagnet]

The box office numbers so far are not encouraging, apparently...

[Durandal]

The box office numbers so far are not encouraging, apparently...

Really? I'd expected a lot more given all the media buzz surrounding 2049, especially after all the critical praise.
Like father, like son...

[dan76]

mmm... watched it tonight, thought it was good. Not great, certainly not a masterpiece. It didn't suck which I suppose is a minor miracle.

Spoiler

Thought the soundtrack was great, a bit disappointed by the visuals to be honest. Lacked a strong character like Roy Batty (he really makes the first film). Ford... I don't know. Its a bit similar to The Force Awakens isn't it? He has a dog, not a wookie. These days Ford always plays a sort of light curmudgeon. He seemed really out of place, but he gets better, or the scenes with him in improve. I would have preferred him not to be in it.

I'm not sure about the story. Was it a good story? In the original it's a pretty easy set up. Deckard is hired to track down and retire 4 Replicants, one of which is Rutger Fucking Hauer! It's pretty straight forward, but the film has hidden depths and is actually about a lot more than what's going on in the plot. He falls for a Replicant who doesn't know she is one, and then you have the mind fuck that Deckard may actually be a replicant himself - something that I still want to be ambiguous. A rumour I heard years after seeing the film and yet made perfect sense. It also made me see the film in a whole different light.

This film is the opposite. All the meaning is on the surface. There is no depth because it's all there. There is no real room for interpretation. It tells you everything - just like every other modern film.

That said, I enjoyed it.

[Kaiser]

I share the same thought about the "average". When I movie end up being bad, sometimes I wish it was worse... so I could laugh about and also I would knew that everyone would hate it. Sad to see you saying that about Blade Runner 2049, as I havent seen it yet and Im a fan of the original film like many here probably are.
Well, expectations successfully lowered.

Well status report, I just came back from seeing it! And oh my! It's anything but average. Easily MY movie of the year, whether it's better than the original, that's arguable, i'm gonna keep my own personal opinion on that to myself. But is it a GOOD movie experience if you take out the fact that it's Blade Runner? Fuck yeah it is. You have to see it, to judge it for yourself.

[xxx1993]

https://www.destructoid.com/should-ther ... 6042.phtml

And of course, Destructoid is being stupid as always... After how this movie ended, I feel like there deserves to be a sequel.

[dan76]

I can't believe it hasn't done very well. It deserves to do well that's for sure. The range of films that make serious money these days is getting so narrow. Wtf people. I blame all these crap comic movies. They're all shit.

I might go see it again. The woman sitting next to me kept checking her phone during the film, I wanted to kill her.

[GaijinPunch]

I
I might go see it again. The woman sitting next to me kept checking her phone during the film, I wanted to kill her.

You should have at least mustered a huge fart and pointed it at her.

[Skykid]

I can't believe it hasn't done very well. It deserves to do well that's for sure. The range of films that make serious money these days is getting so narrow. Wtf people. I blame all these crap comic movies. They're all shit.

I might go see it again. The woman sitting next to me kept checking her phone during the film, I wanted to kill her.

Was she Chinese?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

After reading about that lackluster opening debut weekend at the U.S. box office with BR 2049 (a paltry $31.5 million), that's not the numbers the movie studio wanted to see (but given how fickle the American movie audience can be these days, anything goes). It might take awhile for the movie studio to earn their hard-earned $$$ back on the international film market with BR 2049.

Some related BR 2049 cool swag:

Here's a cool art book that delves into the very detailed universe of BR 2049 -- https://www.amazon.com/Art-Soul-Blade-R ... Src=detail

And here's the official BR 2049 2-disc CD OST set -- https://bladerunner2049.shop.musictoday.com/store/

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~