I went into "Blade Runner" expecting to be wowed by the visual effects and pulled in by the action. A whole two hours and 44 minutes later, I left with my breath taken away and my brain scrambling to figure out how I am supposed to comprehend what I had witnessed.
I will get this out of the way first: This is not a review of "Blade Runner 2049." The film is excellent and I highly recommend that everyone should go see it. It deserves a perfect score and countless awards in the coming months. However, that is not the purpose of this article. I am here to talk about how Denis Villeneuve's masterpiece is going to change the cinema as we know it. Now, I know that's a pretty bold statement, but trust me when I say you will want to hear me out.
Blade Runner is one of those special movies that transcends the boundaries of the screen and impacts your everyday life. It is a movie that has you stopping at random moments during your day and thinking about how you haven't looked at the world in the same way since viewing it.
More importantly, it is one of the films that will stop the epic disaster that is Hollywood's future. We live in an era of big-budget films dominating the box office while 'lesser' films go unnoticed except for those die-hard screen junkies. "Star Wars" will ultimately destroy every box office record when it lands in theaters this December. (Yes, I admit it. I am one of those nerds who lives and dies for "Star Wars." I still wave my hand before walking through any automatic door like I am some sort of Jedi.)
Viewers need a reason to leave the comfort of their own home. While theaters are filled with explosions from yet another mindless "Transformers" movie, viewers crave the next season of "Stranger Things" while sitting on their couches. "Blade Runner" and the films it inspires could change that.
The movie gives viewers a reason to return to the cinema. Not simply because of the special effects, though they are absolutely marvelous, but also because it gives viewers a gut-wrenching new perspective on life. It questions what it means to be human and, even more-so, what it means to be alive. There simply are no words to describe the true nature of the film, but take my word for it.
Every scene, character and even name in the film has a meaning behind it. Though the run-time may scare off viewers, I will tell you that every minute of the film is deserved. Every single thing in the film had me on the edge of my seat, and not for the reasons one may think. This is no sci-fi action movie. It is a neo-noir, but make no mistake; the film is gripping and doesn't let you go for a single second. Other directors should take note. It is possible to make a film compelling and exciting without having something blow up every 10 seconds.
If there is one way to describe the film it is this: "Blade Runner" can be the link between Hollywood's eye candy blockbusters and the dramatic storytelling of the lesser indie films. It is the proof to studios that excitement doesn't always have to come from people in capes. It is the proof that emotional journeys don't just have to come from a historical period piece. It is the movie that has something for everyone, without feeling compromised.
"Blade Runner 2049" breaks the curse of disappointing sequels we have come to know. Its purpose is not just to take our money, but to make us question our very reality. It is truly disappointing to see that it did not do too well on its opening weekend, and will more than likely be overshadowed by superheroes and other blockbusters. My hope is that, while this movie and article may fade into the void, someone someday will dig this up and remember these warnings.
While "Star Wars," Marvel's "Infinity War" and whichever mega-franchise movie after that will all shatter the box office, the ever-ticking time bomb is still in place. Hollywood's money model will blow up in there faces before they even know it. When it does happen, "Blade Runner" can be there guidance on how to bring in the next step of movies.
Explosions are temporary, but emotions live forever.
