Writer/Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have charisma of Dave Bautista. Following his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Bautista has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, suspects of murders or ruthless gangsters, Bautista has portrayed several strong characters. Although he started his career as a professional WWE wrestler, Bautista has proven that he can excel as an actor. Bautista’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his imposing physical presence. He is one of those actors which has always thrived at playing physically muscular characters which stand in positions of power. Though his abilities to portray characters that are compelling, Bautista has become an iconic star that audiences value. An actor with strong commitment towards his craft, Bautista has become a commemorated icon in the world of entertainment. Unlike most commemorated wrestlers, he has seamlessly transitioned into the profession of acting building a strong legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his illustrious career, Bautista has made many unforgettable movies in various genres which are definitely worth talking about without a single doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bautista and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Blade Runner: 2049” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2017, Denis Villeneuve’s movie has stood the test of time as a sci-fi masterpiece. Packed with strong production-design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best science fiction films ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Dave Bautista, who portrays a dedicated technician seeking to survive on a doomed planet. Ultimately, what makes “Blade Runner: 2049” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike the original 1982 movie which was targeted toward an intellectual audience, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message regarding the dangers of artificial intelligence which will resonate with everyone. A captivating science fiction masterpiece, there are several reasons why “Blade Runner: 2049” is a movie which is worth seeing.
Set 30 years after events of “Blade Runner”, “Blade Runner 2049” follows a new blade runner that embarks on an adventure. Ryan Gosling portrays K, a dedicated LAPD officer working for the blade runner police. Following a tense confrontation with the farmer Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista), K embarks on a dire journey to confront trauma. Assisted by his A.I. Assistant Lieutenant Joshi (Robin Wright), K embarks on a journey to discover his identity in a doomed city. However, K’s life changes when he stumbles across the renowned blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) causing disaster. Deckard is a retired blade runner that adopted a cynical attitude towards his profession over the years. As he discovers the consequences of a profession causing disaster, K begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible for him to become a blade runner. Faced with a dilemma, K questions whether it’s possible for him to be a blade runner in a tense profession causing trauma.
Denis Villenueve is fascinated with the science fiction genre. A fantastic filmmaker, Villenueve has often made great science fiction movies in his career. His award-winning movie “Arrival” captured alien invasion causing disaster. With “Blade Runner: 2049”, however, Villeneuve had crafted his reboot. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to reimagine a classic science fiction movie about technology, but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Villeneuve captures a blade runner embarking on a dark journey to discover identity. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as gorgeous as ships that K flies in the skies. Inspired with the original “Blade Runner”, Villenueve effectively uses low-key lighting to construct a frightening city. For instance, low-key lighting elevates the home invasion scene. During this unforgettable scene, K breaks into the house of a dangerous farmer causing terror. One acknowledges low-key lighting capturing hardships which blade runners are facing. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en” suggested, low-key lighting enhances murder mysteries about serial killers. However, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Villenueve captures intense hardships that blade runners in a doomed dirty are often city.
Another admirable aspect of “Blade Runner 2049” that merits appreciation is production design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Villenueve successfully uses practical effects to stage action scenes which are engaging. For instance, the practical effects elevate the rainy city scene. During this unforgettable scene, K chases after a replicant in the rainy weather that causes disaster. One appreciates practical effects capturing grim tensions blade runners are facing. Practical effects are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Denis Villenueve’s “Dune” proved, practical effects elevate adaptations of famous science fiction books. Nevertheless, they work well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Benjamin Wallfisch’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that blade runners bear. Through strong production design, Vileneuve captures the lives of blade runers that decline.
Storytelling is one of reasons why “Blade Runner 204” is a science fiction film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively uses silence to capture tensions blade runners are facing. Villeneuve’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture experience of blade runners facing tension through sequences of silence. For instance, the silence elevates the planet exploration scene. During this haunting scene, K explorers a a doomed planet. Through silences, Villenueve crashes a compelling character audiences can rally relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler List: “suggested, silence enhances movies about the Holocaust. Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” proved that silence elevates classic horror movies about isolation. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Villeneuve captures the lives of blade runners which fade a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Dave Bautista delivers one of his best career performances Sapper Morton. Batista first achieved appreciation for playing guardians defining galaxies in comic book movies. With “Blade Runner 2049”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a farmer seeking to survive on a doomed planet causing tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and trauma of a farmer seeking redemption. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
Ryan Gosling is remarkable as a blade runner embarking on a dangerous mission which is terrifying. Gosling has always had a flair for playing strong heroes that face despair, and “Blade Runner: 2049” showcased his strength as an actor. Whether he’s flirting with Joi or seeking to discover secrets about Deckard that are terrifying, Gosling uses his powerful body language to create a character which is compelling. It’s a role the that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for conveying strong emotion through expressions without speaking a word. It’s. A powerful performance from one of the most talented actors working today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of praise. Robin Wright is remarkable, bringing a strong sense of authority towards a bright LAPD officer seeking to resolve crimes occurring at night in a city which are hidden in plain sight. Jared Leto is excellent, capturing the sorrow of a majestic inventor that designs replicants which give people dreams to follow. Finally, Harrison Ford deserves appreciation. Returning to his most iconic role after years of separation, Ford proved he hadn’t lost ability to create compelling entertainment.
Finally, “Blade Runner 2049” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the tensions faced by commemorated blade runners under intense pressure. Unlike the original 1982 movie, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses commemorated themes such as identity, grief and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the original Blade Runner to appreciate it. Therefore, “Blade Runner: 2049” is one of those rare commemorated sci fi movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Dave Bautista will definitely recognize “Blade Runner: 2049” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting science fiction classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about blade runners seeking to discover secrets about replicants that are frightening in cities that are destructing, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray physically imposing characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 