MovieChat Forums > Blade Runner 2049 (2017) Discussion > Great visuals & sounds but not enough to...

Great visuals & sounds but not enough to save the plot and characters

posted 7 years ago by xurvi (1)
6 replies | jump to latest

There's an overwhelming praise on the film's cinematography and score, and rightfully so. The world building, costume, set design were all top-notch. It may not reveal anything new compared to what Anime has achieved in expanding the scifi genre, I still appreciate seeing it in the big screen. Especially the opening shots introducing Dr. Ana Stelline. Really well done homage to the genre.

I don't mind the slow films as it reminded me of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but as soon as the third Act begins with Drecker, is when the self-indulgence began. What does 30 minutes of K trying to get some answers to his questions actually accomplish? It's Drive all over again. Get to the fucking point man. A snappier cut of this film could make it less annoying but definitely not enough to make it significantly better.

Speaking of significance, all the characters and actors are replaceable due to their blandness. Maybe all except the Joi's character. Ryan Gosling doesn't add anything to the film aside from his name. Drecker's storyline being tied to the film at the very last act makes the final scene lose it's impact and connection. There is very little heart to the film aside from the programmed AI Joi, who ends up being the most human in all of them.

And now that I think about it, the camera direction gets really old near the end. It lingers too long without adding any depth or clarity. On one hand you have this visually stunning beauty on the other, it's weightless in its storytelling. There was one noteworthy reveal, but it all falls flat after that. What substance it evokes and mirrors in society today, is no different from every other corporate-laden, dystopian sci-fi around.

What's the driving point of this movie? Someone please answer me.

[–] marxzao (12) 7 years ago

I agree with your review.

There are moments in this movie that I would not have wanted to miss, and will enjoy with delight again in the near future.

But these moments hang together by barely a storyline.

This actually could have been a great movie.

[–] Renovatio (2990) 7 years ago

this movie is not about storyline or plot... it's about mood and atmosphere, and as a secondary aspect about contemplating the big existential questions of our lives, why are we here, what makes us human, what is our purpose, etc...

As ans example, there are subtle changes from the first movie that allow us to consider what it means to be human, for example, in BladeRunner 2049 the replicants do not have short expiry dates, so the immediate antagonistic relationship that they had towards their human creators is suspended and they aren't motivated simply by a survival instinct... instead they find themselves considering the meaning of their lives and their own nature, i.e. they start to ask themselves the very existential questions that we as humans do... they try to find or create meaning... for example the joi bot/hologram goes through one version of this and comes to one conclusion about her nature in not too different a way as is in The Stranger by Camus, as does K when he faces an extreme existential crisis as a result of the simple idea that he may have been born... the idea itself, whether true or not, is enough for him to transcend from his mental and emotional state and start to face the very existential questions such as have been considered in literature and art... very human endeavours... in a way he becomes more human simply because of considering the idea of being human... literally "I think therefore I am"...

the movie is full of these layers of meditation on the human condition... that's why it is so slow, so huantingly beautiful in it's photography and still in it's compositions... the director holds the frame, gives the characters and the audience time to breathe and consider... there is no rush to hit the next plot beat, tie up a loose end or relay story informaton... that's not the point of the movie... it's about creating this space for us to share time with the director in a sometimes melancholy moment of reflection...

[–] clickbait (193) 7 years ago

Totally agree with your review...the story was a joke, same as the characters, the fighting choreography, only good thing about this movie is the visuals that is beautiful but still the movie lacks the atmosphere from the first movie...it just feels flat, however, I like Gosling as a replicant.

[–] DracTarashV2 (4493) 7 years ago

Totally disagree with you. It’s funny, so much of the criticism I’ve seen of this film is nearly identical to the criticism the original gets. Whether it’s coming from fans of the original Blade Runner or especially those that dislike both films, the complaints tend to be similar... weak plot, bland performances, dull, what’s the point, etc. To each their own.

The reason I, for one, find 2049 AND the original to be compelling is, simply put: I love their tone, performances, visuals, music, direction, atmosphere, and seemingly uncomplicated but gripping stories. Unimpressive to to some, but 2049 is one amazingly crafted film.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

100%! spot on. Not a "masterpeice" or "cinematic marvel" that all the schill's have cut and pasted in ALL the paid pre-reviews. Total marketing hype machine was in full effect. I guess it was needed BECAUSE they knew it was not so good. If it was fantastic, it would have spoken for itself, and the only market needed would be, "Just see it." Now, I begrudgingly tell friends, "Just don't see it"

[–] Batty67 (358) 7 years ago

No Wallace (or Tyrell) schill here. I think the dialogue is a little flat and stilted. Probably because Hampton Fancher needs to tempered by someone like happened in BR 2019 (David Peoples brought in after HF was fired). Many of the BEST lines from the original are from Peoples.

Anyhow, visually it is a wonder. The world building is incredible, though the sound and music get too loud at times, and it lacks the iconic status of Vangelis. It is still damn good. Joi was excellent, so was Luv in a mostly detached, ruthless way. Gosling as Agent K was fine, I was worried, but as my wife (a non fan of the genre) said "he was so flat and lifeless, though I suppose that was how he was supposed to play it). One of my favorite characters was Lt. Joshi of the LAPD. She had so much life and great lines. She really helped counterbalance scenes with K.

Anyhow. I was terrified that this movie would suck. It most definitely did NOT. It is very good, parts superb, but parts drag on and a "snappier" cut (say drop 15 minutes) could have helped a LOT. Then release a directors cut with an extra hour of footage.