Blade Runner 2049

....wow This is a titan of a movie, I can reasonably say that this has the most brilliant special effects I have ever seen in a movie. Nothing compares to these effects and the pure scale and majesty they have. This is why we have special effects and CGI. The colours are some of my favourite used in a movie, it always added something to a scene. I loved the cast, something I neglected in my review of the first one was that the cast felt pretty whatever to me. However, Ryan Gosling gives one of my favourite performances from him, Harrison Ford gives a way stronger performance in this one, and the side cast were good (Jared Leto didn't even make me angry). I loved Ana de Armas, she is one of my favourite actresses, and she gave such a nice performance as the hologram in a what I can only describe as one-sided romance that is on neither Joi nor K's side. Denis Villeneuve gave his all in this movie, outdoing Arrival for me, which I also thought was perfect. When JOI went out into the rain and adjusted to the environment, I was amazed by it, the atmosphere makes everything feel real as if this city was a real city. I have to give Deakin's a lot of credit for this was a big undertaking and he served. The themes of loneliness that permeate throughout this really worked for me, and I was so compelled by K and his journey and sad realization to his existence. I'll quickly touch on the allegations of this movie being sexist. I think that's the point that in this highly capitalist city basically ruled by corporations (giving cyberpunk 2077 vibes), it exploits women and the appearance of women as well as other minorities. Women become prostitutes to make money to live. I view it as part of a scathing critique of capitalism, commercialization, perversion of and towards women, and general exploitation of minorities. Wallace is straight up an incel about how women can do something he cannot, give life efficiently. To quote Rachel Kaines “The movie is about secondary citizens. Replicants. Orphans. Women. Slaves. Just by depicting these secondary citizens in subjugation doesn't mean that it is supportive of these depictions – they are a condemnation.” As well as Denis Villeneuve himself, “Blade Runner is not about tomorrow; it's about today. And I'm sorry, but the world is not kind to women.” The movie is a critique of capitalism, commercialization, corporatization, colonization, ecocide, sexism and general exploitation and bigotry towards minorities in all facets of life. Those who say this supports or exemplifies these issues do not get writing and view the display and exhibition of such issues as promoting them, and I think that is backwards thinking. To close this out, I adore this movie. This is one of those rare gems of fantastic writing, world building, characters and directing and production to make a symphony of talent and art that will be appreciated for decades to come. Also, I really want that jacket.