...I was apprehensive, as Blade Runner is my favourite film of all time, and was a little heartbroken (and a bit angry) when they announced this was coming...
(I went to the cinema when it came out, and stood debating with myself before deciding I didn't want that kind of disappointment in my life - another F$%^^ing remake! / cash in / destruction of that which (I) love - and walking off)
But very pleasantly surprised... if it wasn't for the enormous baggage it carries of the first film, I might say this is a modern masterpiece (if it stood alone) - doesn't quite have the soul of the original, but it does have one all it's own, very minimalist performances which speak volumes (Gosling is very good at twitch acting at this level)
Nice twists on he original premise, and elements in the score which are wholly original, and quite startling - did I hear one of those Australian whirly wooden things on a string that Crocodile Dundee used to call out to the clan in the wilderness, a fair bit of throat singing, and the usual bleeps and squiggles.
I very soon forgot about the original for a time, and was absorbed in it.
Villeneuve can take his place as perhaps one of the best directors of our time, and certainly one of the best sci-fi directors (Arrival is brilliant!).
I thin even Philip K. Dick would be happy with this!
Added scans of the free book "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" (Philip K.Dick) (from which,the original Blade Runner was derived) that was given away with either the DVD,Blu-ray or 4KUHD Discs (here in the UK,at least).
Rated 8/10Being a Sci-Fi fan,i was looking forward to this one,and it didn't really disappoint,given that most sequels are never quite as good as the original work,this one does a fair job of living up to the reputation of the first.The only things i would criticise perhaps,is that it tries too hard/too often to reference the previous work,and thereby suffers by not being it's "own" film.Also,i understand the overall "dark and moody" approach,but sometimes,it's a bit too "dark and moody",and could maybe have done with some lighter moments thrown in,it's also a tad too long,other than that,it's a good sequel;) 8/10