Blade Runner 2049 (2017) ****1/2 [BR UHD Double Feature Pt. 2]

I've seen Blade Runner 2049 (2017) four times now (my initial review here) and I swear it gets better every time. Denis Villeneuve managed to accomplish the typically impossible task of honoring and referencing the film that came before it whilst creating his own strikingly beautiful and original film (with a little help from a brilliant man named Roger Deakins).

The visuals are absolutely stunning (every frame like a digital painting), the sound design is incredible (Hans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch's score stills gives me shivers at times), the performances are all strong, and the f/x are seamless. A truly satisfying and moving film experience.

I do think that it's necessary to have seen Blade Runner  (1982) (review) to get the most out of 2049 but if you see this film and don't like it, you can simply ignore it. It operates on its own playing field and doesn't tarnish the 1982 film in any way. I actually find that 2049 explores its themes on a deeper level than Blade Runner does, without destroying any mystery. I'm glad that Ridley Scott merely executive produced this one and didn't direct.

I truly believe that BR2049 is Villeneuve's best film yet and will go down as a future classic, worthy of the original. It stands as my favorite film of 2017.

Check out my Denis Villeneuve Feature Films Ranked list here.