It's a rare thing that a film sequel lives up to its potential and hype, especially one 35 years in the making that continues the story of a beloved sci-fi classic. Even with so much pressure mounted on director Denis Villeneuve's shoulders, his 2017 epic Blade Runner 2049 exceeded all expectations, and has been nominated for multiple awards. As well as a critical success, fans of the original Blade Runner (1982) were also in near unanimous praise for the film. Despite underperfoming at the domestic box-office, there is no denying Blade Runner 2049's critical and fan impact serves as an example on how to create a smart, endearing sci-fi sequel. Being that it's always a debate as to whether or not a sequel can truly live up to the original, I'm going to be taking a look at four elements in Blade Runner 2049 that demonstrate how it succeeds as a sequel to one of the most cherished films of the 1980s.
1. Don't ruin the mystery of the original
If there's one film whose whole structure fits the term "ambiguous", it's Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. Not least variable in interpretation by several different cuts of the film, Blade Runner asks many questions about humanity and how we would co-exist with another intelligent species, namely the android replicants. Between the human and replicant civillians that populate Los Angeles in 2019, there are blade runners. As special enforcement officers, blade runners are tasked with locating and "retiring" (killing) rogue replicants. In the original, we meet blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who takes on his final job in tracking down four replicants. One of the most discussed questions since the film was released is the debate of whether Deckard himself is a replicant or not. There are hints throughout the film that raise this question, but never is it explained outright. In Blade Runner 2049, Deckard returns after disappearing for 30 years, and the question is once again hinted at. This time however, it is the film's antagonist, Niander Wallace (Jared Leto), that poses the question to the audience and to Deckard himself. When questioning Deckard about his love affair with a replicant named Rachael (Sean Young), Wallace suggests that Deckard could have been designed to meet and fall in love with her. However, he also keeps the thought open-ended by asking Deckard whether he thinks it really was "love" or "mathematical precision". With the discussion of whether Deckard is or isn't a replicant going on for 35 years, Blade Runner 2049 only encourages the debate to continue, and doesn't spoil the mystery of the original by giving clear answers.2. Introduce engaging new characters
Despite being a sequel, Blade Runner 2049 introduces an almost entirely new set of characters, with only a couple of returning faces. Even then, the returning characters are either cameo roles or don't show up until the later half of the film, so it's up to the new cast to drive the plot and engage the audience. Our new blade runner is Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a later model replicant working with the LAPD. Within the first 15 minutes of the film, we get to experience a typical day in K's life, with him hunting down replicant Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista), reporting back to his superior officer Joshi (Robin Wright), and finally returning home to his holographic girlfriend Joi (Ana de Armas). We very quickly experience how lonely K is in this dystopian world, with Joi being the only one who comforts and understands him. Even then, Joi only feels her love towards K because she's been programmed to do so, further emphasising the isolation of our protagonist. K's story arc is about wanting to feel real, and so he treats Joi as if she were an actual person, and Joi in return expresses her desire of wanting to be real for him. The relationship between K and Joi works brilliantly because we see and understand how devoted they are to one another, but all around them are reminders that their relationship is artificial. They experience so many emotional moments together, all of which feel like a genuine love story rather than programming. On the side of the villains, Jared Leto's turn as billionaire Niander Wallace creates an unnerving atmosphere in every scene, which is amplified by Sylvia Hoek's nuanced performance as replicant Luv. Like K and Joi, Wallace and Luv are devoted to each other, but with a sinister edge to their relationship. Luv acts as Wallace's eyes and ears, but their is a lingering threat that Wallace may kill her should she fail him. We see how Wallace unflinchingly executes a newly born replicant in Luv's presence, and so Luv is determined to prove herself to him. This adds a palpable dynamic between the two villains, and gives them depth beyond that of being simply "evil".3. Expand the film's world
The original Blade Runner broke new ground in science-fiction world building. Enormous billboards and strange skyscraper shapes, complimented by flying cars and cool gadgets, this was a vision ahead of its time. Though at times large in scale, the world of Blade Runner could also feel very claustrophobic, with crowded city streets and darkly lit apartments. In Blade Runner 2049, we see how the technology of the first film has advanced, whilst also keeping the same aesthetic to believably portray the same world. Alongside the billboards, there are now massive holograms, and the streets are still overcrowded and intimidating.The locations in Blade Runner 2049 also help to expand its world, with K travelling to an orphanage located in a scrapyard, and a radiation filled Las Vegas. Both locations contrast the neon heavy city of Los Angeles, and are given scale by Roger Deakins' fantastic cinematography. As well as the obvious grand-scale of the locations, there are smaller touches that help show a progression from the first Blade Runner. The police cars keep the same design from the original, but are now more advanced with the addition of a roof-housed drone, which can map locations and take photographs for evidence. We are also shown how the memories that are implanted into the replicants are made, something that was never explained in the original. Memory maker Dr. Ana Stelline (Carla Juri) guides us through this process, and we learn how the process is not simply just a matter of programming, but a more emotional creation designed to give the replicants "happy" thoughts. Through its portrayals of technology advancements and expressive new locations, Blade Runner 2049 builds on its predecessor's world building in a convincing and engrossing way, allowing the audience to be fully immersed. 4. Bigger set pieces
Although the original Blade Runner and it's sequel aren't action orientated, there are set pieces in both films designed to thrill the audience. The action in Blade Runner was significantly smaller in scale to its contemporaries (such as Star Wars), instead opting for brief moments of violence or chase sequences, with the story taking priority. Blade Runner 2049 mirrors this approach, albeit with larger, more intense sequences of action violence. As previously mentioned, there is a scene set in a scrapyard, in which K's car in attacked by the locals. Suddenly, missiles begin to rain from the sky, causing heavy damage to the attackers with some moments of gore, greatly contrasting the more low-key action of the original. There are also more confrontations between characters throughout, with a particularly brutal fight between Sapper and K at the start of the film. Finally, there is the fight between K and Luv at the end, set against a raging river with Deckard in need of rescuing. Featuring some nifty martial arts moves and endless determination from K, it makes for a great conclusion. Of course, the action sequences aren't what makes films like the original and 2049 great, but it certainly adds to the latter's credentials to make these sequences feel bigger in comparison to its predecessor. With its engaging story, memorable characters and incredible world building, Blade Runner 2049 succeeds on all fronts in how to make a smart sci-fi sequel. Not only a worthy follow up to the original, it stands on its own as a modern sci-fi epic, and one that will no doubt eventually be considered one of the greatest films of all time. For me, its already earned that accolade, and is firmly in my list of favourite films.
