Movies BLADE RUNNER 2049 Thread v.2

[Guestx]

Maybe they're setting up a sequel with the unanswered questions and so much left to interpretation (is it known that they are? I hadn't read much, trying to avoid spoilers and whatnot).

I speculate that Ana is a memory supplier to Wallace ("Here I am selling memories to the one guy I should never sell memories to!") for a reason, not just by chance. It's also possible her real memories are implanted by other suppliers. She has a machine that reads memories, so it seems possible to steal them.

Yeah, I thought about that too, that maybe they're holding some details back for a possible sequel. If that's the case, that's a shame, because I really doubt we'll see that sequel considering the way that the film is underperforming at the box office.

Perhaps they'll greenlight a sequel at half the budget of this film.

 

[Spoken]

I appreciate your input but I find your explanation to be unsatisfying.

She said, "Every artist puts a little of themselves into their work" and then demonstrates on the birthday memory she's creating, which is not actually a real memory. She is imbuing it with a bit of her personality.

There's a difference between that and using a real memory, especially using one in its entirety. I just can't believe that she would've done that on a lark. Since its illegal to do so, and therefore could have legal consequences, I just have to believe that she only took the risk because she felt she had a very good reason to do so. If not, then it's a story flaw in my opinion, plain and simple.

I think what the film was trying to nudge the implications of a sentimental and artistic woman that demanded a bit of independence, thus making her sharing a real memory plausible.
But the fact that one can't clearly tease out the implications implies a flaw. I'm certainly happy to accept that it's a possible interpretation that doesn't necessarily satisfy ever variable. But I'd choose this over an interpretation that finds the whole thing to be an unasnwerable hole in the story.

 

[sickc0d3r]

Yeah, I thought about that too, that maybe they're holding some details back for a possible sequel. If that's the case, that's a shame, because I really doubt we'll see that sequel considering the way that the film is underperforming at the box office.

Perhaps they'll greenlight a sequel at half the budget of this film.

I hope it picks up steam based on word of mouth. It's a great watch. Maybe a little long for the popcorn crown these days, but I was immersed the whole time and actually wanted more.

 

[Guestx]

I think what the film was trying to nudge the implications of a sentimental and artistic woman that demanded a bit of independence, thus making her sharing a real memory plausible.
But the fact that one can't clearly tease out the implications implies a flaw. I'm certainly happy to accept that it's a possible interpretation that doesn't necessarily satisfy ever variable. But I'd choose this over an interpretation that finds the whole thing to be an unasnwerable hole in the story.

I love the movie so much that I want everything to add up logically and I just don't feel like this element of story adds up logically. All of the possible explanations just don't do it for me.

I might need to find out where Hampton Fancher lives and just go to his house.

 

[Guestx]

I hope it picks up steam based on word of mouth. It's a great watch. Maybe a little long for the popcorn crown these days, but I was immersed the whole time and actually wanted more.

Yeah, we'll see. It's only tracking for $14 million domestically. We'll see what it does internationally.

 

[sickc0d3r]

I think what the film was trying to nudge the implications of a sentimental and artistic woman that demanded a bit of independence, thus making her sharing a real memory plausible.
But the fact that one can't clearly tease out the implications implies a flaw. I'm certainly happy to accept that it's a possible interpretation that doesn't necessarily satisfy ever variable. But I'd choose this over an interpretation that finds the whole thing to be an unasnwerable hole in the story.

There are a variety of ways it is plausible, imo. She had to know something about her past by the time the movie took place, and it was implied the one-eyed chick is at least in communication with her by saying she was going to "unveil her to the world" at some point. Ana told K she had an immunity disorder and was left in that chamber when her parents high tailed it off world, yet she recognized the memory from the orphanage? At some point the replicants took her out of that orphanage, tore any record of her out of the records book, and created or helped to create the laboratory for her. I am thinking she's likely in on the whole uprising thing.

 

[da1nonlyBAYCAT]

Amazing movie, wish it did better at the box office

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

I'm actually glad it's not doing super well at the box office because I don't want a 3rd movie or a Blade Runner cinematic universe. The 2nd is a near perfect sequel on the level of Terminator 2. Let that be the end

I think like the original, it will be considered a cult classic over time and at least critically, it's done very well. I could see it get nominated and win a lot of awards ala Mad Max next year.

 

[Guestx]

I'm actually glad it's not doing super well at the box office because I don't want a 3rd movie or a Blade Runner cinematic universe.

I think the Blade Runner world is especially well suited to expansion. I really enjoyed the three short films, especially Black Out 2022.

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

I think the Blade Runner world is especially well designed to be expanded. I really enjoyed the three short films, especially Black Out 2022.

The world is definitely big enough to explore but I don't want it ruined. I'd be OK with a Netflix series that doesn't focus on Deckard, K or anyone else. It's prime for something like that.

I don't want another movie though. Denis was the absolute perfect guy to direct this and unless he would do the 3rd movie, I wouldn't want it made.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

I'm actually glad it's not doing super well at the box office because I don't want a 3rd movie or a Blade Runner cinematic universe.

watch out bro

might piss some people off

 

[iThrillhouse]

loved it.

way better than the original Blade Runner...which I enjoyed but definitely think its overhyped. story here is way more engaging.

movieis fucking gorgeously shot. cgi impeccable...the world that was created amazing.

the best part for me

Ryan Goslings story, didnt revolve around him saving the world....his bit part was A SMALL PART...of a bigger tale...that doesnt necesarrily END WITH HIM!

a "sequel" to this...doesnt need to come out right now....it can come out in 50 years....happen 100 years after this movie and still resolve the plot threads begun in this movie...


god bless DENIS Villeneuve!

 

[Deleted member 110072]

Honestly I do tend to think a big issue in reaction might well be that the original film was always something of an oddball in terms of much of its audience relative to much of its actual content.

You search for Blade Runner review/analysis for example and you'll get a heck of a lot of "geek reviewers" who would normally be at home reviewing stuff like Star Wars/Trek or recent blockbusters. Watching/reading a lot of this stuff I can't help but feel that its a bit avoidant of the reality that the film did not actually meet expectations being much more of an arty drama piece with influence more from say A Clockwork Orange(Scott was I think clearly a massive Kubrick fan) than Starwars. I think that's part of the reason why the films visuals have been so lionised over everything else, obviously there worthy of praise but this also tends to be the area many fans find easiest to connect with.

2049 to me does kind of feel more like the film that a lot of these viewers actually wanted from the original. Its much more plot focused with more hard science, more thriller like tension and more action whilst dumping the more oddball characterful elements of the original and indeed its noir tendency's. Again it does feel a lot more "nolanish" to me, perhaps without quite the same tendency for over exposition but much more in that style.

 

[ThulsaDooom]

The first movie to drag me to the theater since Fury Road and it was well worth it. Brilliant movie and I wouldn't change a thing. It complements the original well and does more than enough to justify its existence. I definitely need to see it again in the theater.

I agree with that.


The main difference between Theodore/Samantha vs K/Joi is HER is about relationships and 2049 is about the self.

Joi represents K's soul -- what he thinks, what he wants, who he is inside, and why we like him. K is who he is to everyone else; but when he's with Joi he is himself. He knows she's only a program and he reminds us of this when he offers her a cup of coffee or tells her to buckle up; there's always the ironic smile. He knows he's eating bland noodles and that she's nothing but laser beams, but the variety is enough for him. It also allows him the illusion of choice, and the illusion of a life. Her tragedy is his tragedy: discovering that he is Joi.

Discovering he is not special, that he has been following a sort of programming the entire time. First his job, then his "dream," then the resistance, to finally the truth. Now, without Joi, he is faced with having to make a choice. A real one. Not just laser beams.

It is at this point he is born, because here he finally makes his own decision based on the truth.

That's the importance of Joi and her demise and the in-story realization she isn't anything more than her programming. But as @europe1 mentioned earlier -- at the same time she is more than her programming .... to K, which gets into the Truth vs Meaning. It's the whole replicant metaphor: does it really matter if you're not real?

What's great about the last act is even though we believe in the goodness of Ryan Gosling, we're not sure what K's intentions are until he commits to them. Even midway into the fight with Luv there's still that inkling K just might kill Deckard.

@Anung Un Rama: I was still saddened by Joi's death because while it's true she is basically a fluffer PS2, the time we spent with her built significance for me.

@moreorless87: Spike Jonze subverts the typical fade-to-black love scene in reframing it as virtual space in which Samantha develops into her own being; it's not really a fade because the black space means something. Their relationship is an exploration of what it means to be in relationship, expectation, attachment, etc. The 2049 scene doesn't have the same purpose, and it surprises me you would want to see more after the marvelous sync-sequence. I'm curious what more you would like to see there. The other function of that scene is to plant the tracking device.

@BisexualMMA: I didn't get too much of an arc to Luv, but I did like how subtly she moved at the beginning. I liked how she bristled when K mentioned with amusement that she was named, and then her furtive flirting.

Wish I could super like posts multiple times. Bravo, sir. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post.

Luv is emotionally unfit for her baseline, since she is one of the very few replicants who have no problem harming humans (which was a huge selling point that granted Wallace manufacturing capabilities).

She is not jealous of K; she sees a kindred spirit in him in that they both are higher level replicants. She sees that he is more than capable, resourceful, self-assured and most of all tough and resolute -- everything a young person would want to grow up to be. He keeps coming back after she's stomped him, so when she beats him she proclaims she's the best but smooches him too.

It's more like she has a crush on him but she can't quite make the same mental leap that evolves K.

I agree with the first part about admiring him and somewhat looking at him as an equal to her but as for the last part, I took it more as Luv mimicking Wallace and his actions towards the newborn replicant. Wallace is essentially her god and someone she strives to be.

 

[sh1tehawke]

I saw this last night and loved it. It looks and sounds absolutely incredible. My only gripe is that there seemed to be a lot of long shots of the back of Ryan Goslings head for some reason, lol.

I think it's one of those films which I would have to watch again to get my thoughts about it in order tho.

 

[Tankeray]

Saw it yesterday.

We don’t get visually beautiful films like this anymore, and this was absolutely incredible.

It’s the perfect sequel. The pacing and depth elevates the genre of hard sci-fi to another level, IMO.

I am so glad this film was made in a world full of rehashes and comic book movies.

This film is high art and we won’t see something like it again soon. I plan on taking my dad to see it ASAP.

 

[SSgt Dickweed]

I don't want to be a dick to you guys who love this film but thinking about it, there is hardly anything memorable about this movie. The Batista scene where he says "you haven't seen a miracle" stands out. Apparently, the cinematography is excellent and this should receive may awards for that but I don't pay attention to it.

The set-pieces looks cool, like an RPG video game. It would been cool to have an action/heist film in that setting but that's not what the filmmakers were going for. I am pretty sure there are a lot of symbolic things that went past my head like...

Spoiler

..how K drowned Luv. Maybe it's about him releasing himself from being an ideological slave?

There's a number of things that bugs me as well: why are Replicants given a responsibility like being a cop, with a gun? And why are they being mistreated by humans? Are they suppose to be symbolic of Blacks in the US during 1920's-1950's?

I didn't like Jared Leto as Wallace. It seemed like a goofball performance doing that method acting whatchamacallit. They should have gone with an older looking guy to portray having more knowledge.

 

[Deleted member 429137]

I loved the way they fed information to the audience. Most of the time, that's where movies like this fall apart. (Nolan's biggest weakness, imo.)

I especially liked the second time they test him for his baseline because they never explained what it's relevence was until we were living in the consequences of it being off -- and they still didn't explain it, but we immediately understood what the entire thing had been about. So refreshing.

There were a lot of great, little moments of misdirection. Like when K leaves the wooden horse on Deckard's desk and the audience immediately assumes that there will be a moment of realization and emotion as Deckard finds the horse and understands its significance -- because other, lesser movies have trained us to expect that.

 

[iThrillhouse]

I loved the way they fed information to the audience. Most of the time, that's where movies like this fall apart. (Nolan's biggest weakness, imo.)

I especially liked the second time they test him for his baseline because they never explained what it's relevence was until we were living in the consequences of it being off -- and they still didn't explain it, but we immediately understood what the entire thing had been about. So refreshing.

There were a lot of great, little moments of misdirection. Like when K leaves the wooden horse on Deckard's desk and the audience immediately assumes that there will be a moment of realization and emotion as Deckard finds the horse and understands its significance -- because other, lesser movies have trained us to expect that.

This! A lot of movies need to beat their audience over the head with a point because they assume everyone in tjeir theatres is retarded.

This movie uses some voiceovers here and there that felt a BIT like treating the audience like they were dumb but it was so brief and seldom that it didnt feel insulting.

All Villeneuve films I see he genuinely respects his audience enough to let them figure it out themselves. We didnt need a Deckard/K moment of “where did you get this?” “I made this years ago” kinda dumbness

We saw Deckard had carvings of animals and little terracotta dudes everywhere and that was all that was needed. Even K puts it together in his head and doesnt say anything because fuck it, if the audience doesnt get it by now then theres no sense spending even more time beating the plot point over their head

 

[ChucksGlassJaw]

The studio didn't make this movie in hopes that it would be a blockbuster. It's a passion project made for film's sake. They knew that going in.