It's moments like these where I thought I was watching something truly exceptional. Also, the scene in the night club between Gosling, Ford, and the hologram nightclub singers that suddenly, randomly punctuated the scene with noise. These are remarkable moments. But in the service of what? 'Blade Runner 2049' doesn't deepen the substance of the original 'Blade Runner.' How could it? But it services as a plunge into near-future anxiety, which doesn't seem as especially far off as it should. The best thing I can say about the film is that it's so gorgeously shot and directed that there were times where I actually thought I was watching something that I needed. But I don't.Mister Tee wrote
And Carla Juri as the dream designer makes an incredible vivid impression in her single big scene.
It's possibly the best film I've ever seen that I felt the director was wasting his time with. The substance of every scene wants us to know how much it understands the original 'Blade Runner.' Because everybody involved is so damn talented and they have so many resources to pull from, it doesn't come off as insufferable. I actually think this film would have benefited from being Kill Bill'ed into two parts. It would've allowed itself more time to relish in the surface, scene-to-scene pleasures instead of a mystery plot that plods along.
Ana de Marmas is the MVP. Or rather her character is, although the actress is quite good. She isn't quite given the fitting send-off she deserves, but her "return" (not much of a spoiler) lends a haunting cynicism to this world that I loved. Carla Juri's part is just a little too small to warrant supporting mention for me on my end of ballot list, but all I could think was "Holy cow, who is this?"