[Review] Blade Runner 2049: Not Human, But Possessing Humanity

Thirty-five years ago, Ridley Scott directed the sci-fi classic Blade Runner, injecting film noir elements into science fiction and prompting audiences to reflect on humanity, the environment, and other issues. Thirty-five years later, the filmmakers released the sequel, Blade Runner 2049, continuing the themes of the original while adding more dazzling cinematography and computer graphics to create a sequel of exceptionally high quality!

Blade Runner 2049 takes place approximately 30 years after the original, following a massive blackout that erased much of the old data. The original Replicant manufacturing corporation, Tyrell Corporation, has also gone bankrupt and has been replaced by the Wallace Corporation, which produces new, completely obedient Replicants. Many people undoubtedly looked forward to this film answering the major mystery left by the original's ending—"Is Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford) a Replicant?"—but this installment doesn't directly answer that question, nor does it immediately reveal his and Rachael's whereabouts. Instead, it focuses on the story of the new character, K (played by Ryan Gosling).

In stark contrast to the original, Blade Runner 2049 tells the audience from the very beginning that K is a Replicant. However, I believe most viewers, like myself, wouldn't assume his identity is that simple. The film then naturally leads into its central mystery through a case K is investigating: a Replicant successfully gave birth, and this miraculous child's whereabouts are unknown. Who could it be? As expected, K's identity might not be so simple; he might be that child. The film then unfolds a story of self-discovery and the search for meaning. One of the core themes of Blade Runner was "What is humanity?" and Blade Runner 2049 continues this theme.

Viewers who saw the original film likely know that the Replicants in Blade Runner escaped because they wanted to break free from the limited lifespans given to them by humans, to transcend the limitations of "life" and live longer. In this installment, the new generation of Replicants are completely obedient to humans, so the problem of escape doesn't arise. However, their creator, Niander Wallace, firmly believes that the purpose of Replicants shouldn't be limited to serving humans; he sees them as humanity's future hope. In Blade Runner 2049, the human world is in a harsh environment, filled with conflict and chaos, and humanity's survival seems to hold little hope. At this moment, a Replicant gives birth beyond all imagination, like Mary giving birth to Jesus in the Bible, a great miracle, and seemingly a hope for the future. Meanwhile, as K investigates clues, he also begins to suspect that he is that miracle. One reason humans strive to live is the belief that what they do has meaning. Sometimes, we even believe that our God or creator has a unique plan for us, believing that what we pursue has a deeper significance. In the film, K, like us, questions whether he is just an ordinary Replicant or a more important existence. In the end, although things don't go as K initially hoped, he reunites a father with his daughter, seemingly completing his mission. In his final scene, he lies in the snow, gazing at the sky, as if looking at God, content with his purpose.

The original Blade Runner, when discussing "What is humanity?", prompted audiences to consider whether memory alone is sufficient to prove one's humanity. In Blade Runner 2049, besides exploring the pursuit of life's meaning, the film further delves into the themes of love and the soul. In Blade Runner, Replicants often exhibit more empathy and compassion than humans; Rick Deckard is saved by Replicants several times. In Blade Runner 2049, although K is a Replicant, his inherent purpose given by humans is to be a Blade Runner, tracking down rogue Replicants. However, from K's relationship with Joi (played by Ana de Armas), his holographic AI companion, it's clear he isn't satisfied with such a life; he yearns to love others, and even more so, to be loved. Therefore, even though K knows Joi isn't real, he invests money, time, and emotion into her. At the same time, he is hurt by love; a scene in the rain seems like his tears, almost a tribute to a classic moment from the original. Even if K isn't human, and his memories are artificial, he possesses humanity—perhaps even more humanity than any human in Blade Runner 2049. We know he isn't human, but we can feel his soul.

As mentioned above, the biggest mystery of the previous film was "Is Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) a Replicant?" but this film's plot tells us: that question isn't important. This movie isn't about whether he's a Replicant. I believe that early in the film, upon learning a female Replicant gave birth, one can surmise that this female Replicant is Rachael, and Rick Deckard is the one who created the miracle. If Rachael, as mentioned above, plays the role of Mary, then who is Rick Deckard? Could it be that, as Niander Wallace suggests, Rick and Rachael's encounter wasn't just a coincidence, but orchestrated by some unseen force? If that's truly the case, then that child is not only a miracle but also the savior of this generation. However, the plot doesn't deeply explore his character, even keeping his identity hidden until the end. Instead, the film deeply explores Rick's love for his biological child, depicting his willingness to sacrifice his life, even his existence, to protect this important person. The ultimate form of love is sacrifice. Whether Rick is human or not isn't important; what matters is that he has humanity, he has the capacity to love.

Here, I must thank Sony Pictures for inviting me to watch the IMAX version of the film. Previously, only films shot with IMAX cameras truly compelled me to see them in IMAX. Therefore, I hadn't originally planned to watch Blade Runner 2049, shot with regular cameras, in an IMAX theater. However, the production team specially adjusted the film's aspect ratio to better fit IMAX screens, releasing this special version in IMAX theaters. From the very first shot of the solar panels (perhaps echoing the fossil fuel power plants of the original), the film's visuals are already breathtaking. Coupled with the later night scenes of Los Angeles, it perfectly brings this long-missed world to life.

Among them, Roger Deakins's cinematography is truly stunning. Whether it's the vibrant, colorful advertisements at night or the desolate, polluted landscapes of Las Vegas, his cinematography perfectly complements the plot and art design, delivering unforgettable visuals to the audience. What I found most unforgettable was the lighting treatment in the scene where Rick Deckard converses with Niander Wallace; the yellowish light constantly illuminates Rick Deckard, making his emotions appear subtle, not overflowing all at once, truly elevating that scene.

This film is 2 hours and 40 minutes long, certainly giving audiences plenty of time to reflect, but such a pace will indeed deter many viewers. Also, compared to some of the poetic and nuanced dialogue in the original film, this sequel seems to focus more on plot and character development, with fewer memorable lines, making it appear less sophisticated than its predecessor in that regard. However, compared to the original, the actors in this installment clearly have more room to develop. Ryan Gosling's K, from the first scene to the end, undergoes transformations of loneliness, despair, and despondency, making him one of the most tragic male protagonists in recent years. As the character himself is a Replicant, Ryan Gosling's performance is consistently subtle, without many overtly emotional scenes, yet he delivers a very nuanced portrayal, and his emotions before and after losing Joi are perfectly rendered.

However, the biggest surprise for me was ultimately Harrison Ford's performance. I've always considered him a very distinctive actor, but I never expected his performance this time to be so moving, especially in the scene where he talks with Niander Wallace. He needs to deliberately restrain his emotions, which is incredibly heartbreaking to watch, and I shed tears myself.

Blade Runner 2049 is both a sequel to the original and an independent, complete story. Blade Runner was released 35 years ago and has always been considered a sci-fi classic. It's too early to say whether Blade Runner 2049 will become a classic, but it is certainly one of the best sequels in recent years, and a very thought-provoking science fiction film!