Blade Runner 2049 Double Lenticular 3D FullSlip XL Edition #2 3D + 2D Blu-ray Steelbook Limited Collector's Edition [FILMARENA] FAC #101 (Only 750 Made)
T**Q
Now any review of a film will consider items like plot, acting
More human than human – an analysis of Blade Runner 2049 and Blade Runner.“More human than human”; the phrase implies that it is known what “is” human or what it is “to be” human. Now any review of a film will consider items like plot, acting, music, editing, logic, cinematography, audience interest, run-time, etc… but I am not interested in these aspects - although I think they are all covered rather well in Blade Runner 2049 especially the Hans Zimmer soundtrack/score that I consider both perfect and to be the greatest album of all time - at the very least as a measure of emotion represented in sound. What I am interested in, are the themes of each film and of the two films in aggregate.Blade Runner did not have a sequel for over 35 years due to a combination of finding the right story, Hollywood politics, and the challenge of living up to the original that became the highest ranked science fiction film of all time. So why did Blade Runner become such a benchmark or high water mark? Again let us not focus on story, cinematography, acting, or the amazing Vangelis score, or even the noire dystopian future vision.Note that in the 1982 film, at the highest level, we have a future of massive population and cities, with their obvious expected housing and pollution issues, but there is also a realistic (vis a vis Star Trek for example) vision of a future with pollution and lack of green space and lack of light that, unbeknownst to so many in our Western world, signifies oh so much of the actual industrialized and developing world already. However the film notes (perhaps correctly), that there are already “off world colonies” and we have references to this space technology including “attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion,” however we see NONE OF IT. Why? Because that is NOT the temptation nor the key theme of the first film nor, for that matter, of the entire 20th Century. On a side note, it is quite possible that the “complexity of the mind” (consciousness) will be, if ever, solved after both the physics problems of quantum gravity (the true nature of space-time) and the engineering problem of traversing the gulfs of deep space.But one could argue that the over-arching theme of the entire 20th Century is that engineering (i.e. science or “technology”) can solve ALL problems and achieve all goals or dreams. Thus the future in the 1982 film is NOT built on spaceships or “star wars” but rather on an empire of “replicated” human minds!!!! In short, the future is built on genius that builds or reverse-engineers our own “human” existence. If we pause for a moment, we must remember that hundreds of millions of humans lost their lives to world wars and proxy wars that were so very often initially assumed to be easily won due to advances in technology; Prometheus Unbound to say the very least and still mankind never let go of the idea; machine guns, aircraft, tanks, nuclear weapons, computers, lasers, A.I., stealth, etc…. But now let us examine the films themselves. Tyrell dies from his own creation. Roy saves a life as he loses his own. However the lust and wonder of the first film is NOT on philosophy but rather on visuals and dreams of empires of technological achievements from skyscrapers to flying cars to android “replicants” with artificial minds and bodies.Now let us break to the sequel Blade Runner 2049. Again we have a setting of even more and larger and improved skyscrapers, replicants, and holograms (even maybe conscious holograms we initially believe) and size and technology (note after a global information crash) but we have a fundamental change at the core and in tone. We have, in fact, THE change that is, in my opinion, the very heart of all of the story.We now have a story that comes back to the theme of what it is ”to be human.” Our protagonist “K” discovers his own memories are not even real, but rather those of another. His “girlfriend” is ephemeral and (even worse) everything he experienced with her that he thought was authentic was just an encoded routine like her calling him Joe etc… so there is the elimination of trust or even love for him. The concept of ethics and family are eroded in his worldview as he must eliminate a child and Deckard appears to have given up his own child. Already with replicants we have doubt in flesh and now experience or memories so we are faced with only the very core “human” concepts that are left in a life. In essence, we must acknowledge that, outside of our biological processes that drive our psychology (almost all of them) and our culture (basically the rest of them), we have simply our memories and our dreams. In this case we have artificial biology, a culture one can argue that has “gone amok” and, and memories that are artificial and dreams of a future with his holographic Joi love now gone. In short, we are at the foundation of what is left to discover what it is “to be human” – a rather sad story for an unlucky “person.”We hold our memories AND our dreams, and when our dreams are lost just as when one’s memories are lost, what does one become? When one’s reality is gone what next? Is it altruism or anger or violence or all of them? In the film we see the latter two used for an altruistic cause of saving Harrison Ford (Deckard) so he can meet his daughter. So, for lack of words like “soul,” one can still argue that in this cinematic world of excess population, size, scale, pollution, technology, one finds that we have a film about still core decency and sacrifice. In a realm of darkness, if not utter loss and depression, we have “salvation” from THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE LEFT which are decency and sacrifice. Perhaps underscoring the same, we see a hint with the literal remarks about witnessing “a miracle” and an impossible birth with obvious Christianity overtones. Thus we must acknowledge the major pivot from the first film. In the better of the two films Blade Runner 2049, the “setting” is no longer “the star” of the film but, for all intents and purposes, just the opposite and it is actually meaningless. Our protagonist is us and everyone in any age. We have come full circle as an audience, as a cinematic world in a pair of films, and, perhaps and hopefully, as an aggregate society to see the EXISTENTIAL LIMITS (especially given a fragile and limited human lifespan) of science and engineering (note how in Ridley Scott’s linked Alien film series how Weyland who created of the robot David 8 shoots to attain immortality) and to conclude the film with a SACRIFICE and a father’s LOVE of his daughter.
S**R
A good sequel
This is the 2017 long-awaited sequel to the (now) iconic 1984 film Blade Runner, which starred Harrison Ford a Deckard, a Blade Runner who hunted down and retried Artificially Intelligent Androids called Replicants. This movie is set 30 years after the original movie. We find out that the Tyrell Corporation has been taken over and is now the Wallace Corporation, run by Niander Wallace (played by Jared Leto). The corporation still makes replicants and has basically turned them into slaves, and the Earth has become a dystopian nightmare, in large part due to an electromagnetic pulse that wiped everything out in 2022. Ryan Gossling plays K, the most advanced replicant (a Nexus-9 Replicant) who is a Blade Runner that hunts down and retires rogue replicants. In the process of retiring a replicant at the beginning of the movie, he discovers evidence that replicants can reproduce biologically, and this leads him, through a series of events, to finding Deckard (again played by Ford). I will not spoil the movie for those who have not seen it, but if you have seen the original movies, similar themes play out in this movie that did in the first one.For those who get the 4-k blu-ray, it is a two-disc set with a UHD disc just containing the movie and a regular blu-ray with the movie and the extras. The A/V quality of the UHD disc is top-notch, pretty much what I would call reference quality. There are, of course, a lot of CGI effects in the movie, and everything looks seamless so, if not for flying cars and the like, it would be hard to tell what is real and what is not. The extras include two longer featurettes, one 17 minutes and one about 22 minutes, that focus on casting and the look of the new movie. Then there are a series of prologues which are prequel shorts to the movie that provides some backstory. The longest is just over 15 minutes and the other two are around 6 minutes. Then there are a series of short featurettes that total 11 minutes and can be played all at once, which cover different aspects of the Blade Runner world. Then there is a trailer for the game that was released around the same time as the movie. All in all, the extras total about an hour and twenty minutes, give or take.Overall, the movie is very good. The writers did a good job incorporating parts of the story from the original film into a new, updated movie, and made it work. The cast is very strong and includes Robin Wright, Ana De Armas (in her first major role in the US), and Dave Bautista. The movie even finds a way to incorporate Sean Young's character (using a similar kind of CGI and real actor blend that was used in Rouge One) from the first movie without her appearing in person (although she is still credited as appearing as Rachael). Like the first movie, it is hard to classify what genre this is. It is a movie that has a lot of action, but it is not really an action movie per-se. It is a mix of action, drama, philosophy, and thought experiment all rolled into one. The acting is top-notch with Gossling doing a great job taking over the leading role, and Ford steps back into the role of Deckard well. It is a worthy follow-up to the first movie and is definitely worth watching.
T**S
Give this movie minutes and you will not stop watching it.
This is one of my favorite movies of all times. The attention to detail is unrivaled. There are so many easter eggs that you can find throughout the movie that makes you want to watch more than once. Ryan Gosling played an amazing role in this movie and I am shocked that he did not get nominated for best lead actor with this movie. Dave Batista was a wrestler for WWE and I never thought he would be able to act the way he does in this movie, he really shows his depth as an actor. One of the only times I have actually watching Jared Leto as an actor is in this movie. The music is breathtaking. Hans Zimmer is the king of Music in our era and in this movie he created an awe-inspiring experience with the music to the point that I want to go to sleep listening to the soundtrack of this movie. If you have not watched the original Blade Runner, which takes place 30 years before this incredible story, I suggest watching it and give this movie the attention it deserves. The best sequel movie ever created.
R**T
A Stunning Cinematic Masterpiece
Blade Runner 2049 on Blu-ray is an absolute marvel and a must-have for any movie enthusiast's collection. This cinematic masterpiece truly captures the essence of its iconic predecessor and takes the viewer on a breathtaking journey through a futuristic world like no other.From the moment the film starts, the visual spectacle is evident. The Blu-ray format brings out the finest details, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the film's richly textured landscapes and stunning visual effects. The vibrant colors, intricate set designs, and seamless CGI transport viewers to a world that feels both familiar and entirely new.The cinematography in Blade Runner 2049 is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Each shot is carefully framed, showcasing the director's artistic vision and attention to detail. The use of lighting and shadows adds an atmospheric depth to the film, creating an evocative ambiance that lingers long after the credits roll.Beyond the mesmerizing visuals, the storyline is gripping and thought-provoking. Blade Runner 2049 successfully builds upon the themes of its predecessor while introducing fresh concepts that challenge the boundaries of artificial intelligence, identity, and humanity. The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing the characters to develop naturally and drawing the audience deeper into the film's intricate web of mystery and emotion.The performances in Blade Runner 2049 are nothing short of stellar. Ryan Gosling brings a compelling presence to his role as Officer K, displaying a perfect balance of vulnerability and strength. Harrison Ford's reprisal of Rick Deckard is both nostalgic and impactful, seamlessly connecting the film to its predecessor.The Blu-ray edition of Blade Runner 2049 further enhances the overall experience. The audio quality is exceptional, delivering a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly complements the film's tone. Additionally, the bonus features provide valuable insights into the film's production, allowing fans to gain a deeper appreciation for the creative process behind this cinematic gem.In conclusion, Blade Runner 2049 on Blu-ray is an unforgettable cinematic experience that pushes the boundaries of science fiction storytelling. With its stunning visuals, compelling storyline, and outstanding performances, this film is a testament to the power of cinema at its finest. If you're a fan of thought-provoking, visually stunning films, this Blu-ray deserves a prominent place in your collection and getting it in blue ray also lets you hear all the subtle audio that seems to be missing from streaming versions of the movie.
M**R
Excellent
Dans la continuité du premier Blade Runner, superbe.Excellente qualité de disque, rien à redire.
S**E
A modern classic as far as I'm concerned!
Blade Runner 2049 has the unfortunate problem of being a sequel to a 1980's classic and a movie so slow, modern going audiences won't have the attention span to get through half of it. Much like the original movie, Blade Runner 2049 is a very slow movie by design. The story revolves around a blade runner detective, simply called K. He is a replicant that is tasked with hunting down the older, more obsolete models. During one of his jobs, he finds a box of bones. These bones contain something special, something that will change the world for both humankind and the replicants. Once the box is open, K finds himself in one giant conspiracy and he takes it on himself to get to the bottom of things.To their credit, all the actors do a great job with their role. This is Ryan Gosling's best role, in my opinion. He does a great job of coming across like a soulless machine slowly gaining his humanity. It is also nice seeing Harrison Ford looking like he actually cares for the role, unlike his recent Star Wars outings. He shows a great range of emotions and has got himself into good physical shape too. Luv (Sylvia Hoeks) is awesome, Joi (Ana de Armas) is charming and beautiful and even Dave Bautista was convincing, even if his time is limited. It's a very solid cast but the movie isn't just about them.There is a serious artistic side to this movie and by that I mean the Roger Deakins cinematography, the overall art style and the booming soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch. The movie has some fast paced action sequences, but they are few and far between. Instead, the movie takes its time. It gives us these beautiful audio and visual landscapes, let's us see the actors work their way through it and gives us just enough time to process it. Those not there for small details will definitely find it a bit empty and longwinded as they glance over the film, it's perfectly understandable to a point. But those looking for a piece of art (like the original), will find the world of Blade Runner 2049 not only faithful to the original but perfectly adapted to modern times.I recently picked up the 4k transfer for a nice discount. I originally acquired a 4k player for the new Star Trek remasters and needed something to test it out. This was my pick and it was a perfect choice. The clarity and depth of this transfer is incredible. The colours are very strong and vibrant. There's no artefacts, no damage or anything of the sort on screen. It's as pristine and beautiful as a movie could be. It may very well be one of the most impressive looking films I have seen. The soundtrack is also very nice, if not a little loud. With the settings just right, the Hans Zimmer soundtrack works perfectly and sounds magnificent through my 5.1 surround sound system.I have seen a lot of fans of the original Blade Runner complain about this movie. It's an embarrassment to the original, it should never have been made etc. I have also seen non fans complain about how slow it is. The latter is understandable (to a point), but I'll never understand how a Blade Runner fan can hate this film. It's not a straight up sequel and has been well written and directed. The way the film was made makes the Deckard character feel like he is there by coincidence instead of being forced in for commercial reasons. It's trying to do its own thing and I think it does it very well.I honestly couldn't recommend this film more, especially if you're a fan of the original. They play wonderfully back to back in 4k and has basically become mandatory viewing in my household. If you want a couple of fantastic films to try out your new 4k television or sound system, the two Blade Runner movies is where you should be looking.
W**M
Nederlands
Met Nederlandse ondertitels
M**Z
Obra de arte colosal
La había visto varias veces en el cine y vista en casa sigue siendo una joya.Colosal película dirigida por Denis Villeneuve; ha merecido la pena todas y cada una de las cuatro veces que la he visto en el cine; seguro que en televisión luce magnífica pero es en el cine donde este tipo de películas se gozan más por su grandiosidad visual y sonora. La película de Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, 1982) es la fuente de inspiración para esta película pero debemos tener en cuenta dos aspectos a la hora de compararlas: el primero es que la de Scott lleva siendo una referencia en el mundo del cine desde hace 35 años, y el segundo que las mejoras técnicas han permitido que la nueva pueda desarrollar escenas que eran imposibles hace años. Blade Runner 2049 se basa en lo propuesto por su predecesora y va más allá; expande el universo de la primera tanto en la parte visual (muestra más de ese mundo distópico) como narrativa, al ampliar la historia y profundizar en los temas ya presentes en la primera.Blade Runner 2049 sigue manteniendo el ritmo pausado de la original, da prioridad a los diálogos y lo visual frente a la acción, y no tiene prisa a la hora de desarrollar la historia; si a alguien no le gustó la primera no creo que le guste esta. Hay muchos temas dentro de la película: el mesías (nacimiento), Dios (Wallace-Letto), lo efímero de la vida, la naturaleza humana, resistencia a la esclavitud, conflicto entre distintos, sacrificios por un bien mayor, y el no determinismo, es decir, cómo los sistemas evolucionan de manera imprevista. Este último punto me parece el más importante, centrado en la evolución del replicante K (Ryan Gosling) a lo largo de la película.Donde la antigua era cerrada la nueva es abierta, mostrándonos más mundo, por ejemplo la producción de energía y alimentos, zonas radioactivas, muro de contención contra la subida de las mareas, barrios de la ciudad, zona de residuos, orfanato, y más. Donde la antigua mostraba ambientes cargados la nueva ofrece espacios diáfanos. En los decorados y ambientaciones de Blade Runner 2049 hay mucha línea recta y movimiento de luces. Los departamentos de Deckard (Harrison Ford), en Blade Runner de 1982, y K (Gosling), en Blade Runner 2049, no pueden ser más diferentes, aunque mantienen ciertas similitudes como en el caso de las cocinas.La música es diferente a la de Vangelis de la primera película y me parece absolutamente maravillosa (de esa que escucho sin parar y no me cansa); la nueva música se inspira ligeramente en la de Vangelis y también en la banda sonora de Dunkerke (compuesta también por Zimmer); la potencia de la nueva música hace vibrar el asiento en muchas fases de la película y se interrelaciona con la imagen de la misma manera que pasaba en la película original. Sin la música el producto final hubiera sido muy diferente en ambas producciones.Los decorados y ambientación son estupendos; todo menos sucio que en la original, más sencillo (la arquitectura de las oficinas de Wallace es un ejemplo). Aunque la estética es similar (oscuridad y decadencia), se muestra de manera diferente. Los colores, la bruma, los reflejos, la iluminación, hacen que la nueva película tenga un sello propio. En la primera hubo necesidad de que la película fuera oscura, lluviosa y con humo, para esconder los defectos de los decorados, pero en la nueva es un ejercicio estético para mantener una continuidad con la primera y dotarle de sello propio.La historia central (el hijo) está bien desarrollada y es la que hace de núcleo para el desarrollo del resto de subtramas: cómo evoluciona K (Gosling); la relación de amor de K y Joi (Ana de Armas) [memorable la escena del trío]; la relación de K y su jefa (Robin Wright); Luv (sylvia Hoeks) y su crueldad y su desprecio por los humanos no diseñados genéticamente; la rebelión de los replicantes; el sacrificio de Deckard (Harrison Ford); y algunas otras. Excelente cómo construyen el camino para la trama principal ya desde la primera escena, la de la pelea entre K y Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista), con la referencia al milagro de este último. En la subtrama de K observamos como un replicante, diseñado para obedecer y mantenerse inalterable, se ve afectado cuando el entorno le lleva al límite; todo esto le empuja a tomar sus propias decisiones saltándose las órdenes recibidas e incluso engañando a su jefa (humana).Me creo a todos los actores; Ryan Gosling está perfecto como frío ejecutor, enamorado, distante replicante, luchador, y con sus ataques de ira; Dave Bautista sale poco pero deja huella; Ana de Armas está perfecta; Sylvia Hoeks excelente como bella y despiadada replicante; Jared Leto trasmite fuerza y determinación (ceguera incluida); y Harrison Ford ya se ha convertido en ese tipo de actores, como Clint Eastwood y John Wayne, que se comen a los personajes. Harrison Ford hace de Harrison Ford para lo bueno y para lo malo.Existen conexiones, más o menos evidentes, con otras películas: Her (amor virtual), Inteligencia Artificial (la estética de la zona radioactiva y los robots acosados), Hijos de los hombres (la llegada del hijo inesperado), El Señor de los Anillos (Dios - esclavos), Blade Runner de Ridley Scott, y Dunkerke (música).No había casi ninguna diferencia fundamental entre humanos y replicantes, pero ya no hay ninguna una vez que estos últimos pueden reproducirse. ¿Importaba si eran generados o nacidos? Sí para tener control propio de su descendencia, pero una vez que se puede tener ese control la diferencia es nula.Hay muchos guiños a la primera película, por ejemplo los carteles de Atari. También hay similitudes estéticas entre personajes, por ejemplo entre Mariette (Mackenzie Davis) y Pris (Daryl Hannah), el personaje de la primera película.La historia de amor de K (Gosling) con Joi (Ana de Armas) es la prueba de que este necesita compañía y que el amor quizá está más en cada uno de nosotros que en los otros. ¿Realmente nos enamoramos de otros o estamos predeterminados a sentir amor por personas, u otras "cosas", que nos despierten ciertas sensaciones?En la película cada uno se mueve por sus intereses: Deckard por salvar a su hija, Wallace por ser Dios, Luv por contentar (¿miedo? ¿Admiración?) a Wallace, Joshi (Robin Wright) por mantener la paz que cree en peligro, Freisa por la revolución, y K inicia la búsqueda cuando descubre que es el hijo y cambia de objetivo cuando descubre que no lo es.La película trata cada escena con cariño y deja que los personajes se tomen su tiempo y desarrollen su labor en la escena (Villeneuve tiene ese sello en sus películas). Aunque no es una película de acción, las escenas de este tipo están bien rodadas, por ejemplo la pelea final junto al muro de contención. En alguna escena, sobre todo con el personaje de K (Gosling), la película recuerda a los spaghetti western de Sergio Leone donde los personajes se mantienen pasivos, fijando la mirada, y aparentemente sin hacer nada, pero con su actitud están transmitiendo muchas cosas; a mí no me sobra nada de la película, incluida la aparición de un transformado Gaff (Edward James Olmos).La película abre muchas historias y no las cierra; se podrían continuar tanto hacia adelante como hacia atrás y supongo que todo dependerá del éxito de esta película; creo que sería estupendo si ofrecen un producto de calidad.Denise Villeneuve es uno de los grandes directores actuales, me encantan sus películas, en las que prima la elegancia (Sicario y La llegada son excelentes, y Prisioneros es una buena película). Le gustan las tomas lejanas, escenas largas, poco movimiento de cámara, y acompañarlo todo de buena música. Sus historias son fáciles de seguir y son lineales, excepto en el caso de La llegada que era una historia circular; no hay estiramientos del tiempo como pasa en el caso de Christopher Nolan (otro gran director), quien es mi director actual preferido. El caso de Blade runner 2049 no es una excepción a lo ya explicado.Blade Runner 2049 es de esas películas que hacen aún más grande al cine.
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