Tag: Denis Villeneuve

Geekscape Movie Reviews: ‘Blade Runner: 2049’

by MCDave

It was 35 years ago when Ridley Scott broke ground with his sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Trading action-packed thrills for a tempered and more cerebral science fiction endeavor helped make an impact on an entire generation of movie lovers. And if a sequel had to be done, what better filmmaker to take the reins than Arrival helmer Denis Villeneuve? Brandishing an intellectual screenplay and Villeneuve’s keen visionary mastery, Blade Runner 2049 has clearly been placed in the most worthy of hands.

Set thirty years after the original, Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is a new-hybrid of replicant Blade Runner, programmed to fully obey his human masters. But as he becomes assigned to a very delicate case, the mystery he’s supposed to solve slowly forces him to question his own existence. And with all of the answers belonging to former agent Deckard (Harrison Ford) who has gone into hiding for decades now, K must track down the legendary Blade Runner in order to finally unlock the truth to his cloudy past.

Much like Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise, Blade Runner 2049 finds a unique beauty in its ability to pose more questions than answers. But despite a frustrating ambiguity that’s assured to displease select audiences, Denis Villeneuve and company do an amazing job of expanding on the universe that Ridley Scott created 35 years ago. Taking the auteur’s classic idea of building compassion for the replicant population and transforming that into a core principal within the structure of this new examination, Villeneuve enlightens the viewer with fascinating psychological quandaries and thought-provoking introspection. Ryan Gosling offers a stellar lead performance that’s wonderfully complemented by a multitude of smaller, yet unbelievably effective, roles. And while Gosling undoubtedly hogs the film’s face time, not a single side character wastes a moment on screen. Don’t be fooled, though, Blade Runner 2049 comes with a fair share of criticisms. The film wallows in a sluggish and thrill-less delivery that snow-piles throughout an often painful 160-minute duration, and its uncharacteristically weak score with the great Hans Zimmer on board proves to be a bit of a disappointment. However, loyal and respectful fans of the original Blade Runner can look past these flaws and find solace in Denis Villeneuve’s originality and heady subtext that rival the work of its predecessor.

GRADE: 4/5

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Are Humans & Replicants Preparing For War In The Official ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Trailer?

by The_acz

It’s been a long time coming after the initial teaser, but we have finally been graced with a new trailer for Blade Runner 2049.

While the teaser didn’t give us much aside from Ryan Gosling meeting up with Harrison Ford, There is much more to dissect in this new trailer. First thing noticeable is that this movie looks absolutely beautiful. If you thought Ghost in the Shell was a beautiful film, it’s clear that just by looking at some of the sets that it was very inspired by the original Blade Runner. Second thing is that the film is possibly teasing the fact that Harrison Fords Deckard might in fact be a replicant  after seeing Goslings character wanting to ask him “some questions”.

Even if we previously thought it wouldn’t be possible, this trailer throws a curve ball or two. There’s much more to dissect including Jared Leto’s character and a possible war between humans and replicants. Check out the trailer below for all the Ridley Scott/Denis Villeneuve goodness. Have you seen the original Blade Runner? Tell us in the comments below!

Geekscape Movie Review: ‘Arrival’

by AllieHanley

There’s a titillating excitement for that first glimpse of the aliens in new science fiction film “Arrival,” starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner opening this weekend.

https://youtu.be/7eCdgsoHm7E

From director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario) is an intellectual sci/fi thriller about a talented linguist charged with the challenge of making first contact with aliens who arrive mysteriously in twelve different ships scattered randomly across Earth.

If you are familiar with the term slow-boil where a story takes it’s time to heat up, “Arrival” can be compared to a crock-pot. There’s a lot of good elements piled together in this film including some smart script writing from Eric Heisserer who has the tricky challenge of writing a moving human tale balanced with high-concept science fiction.

It comes down to do you want to make a film that is popcorn fodder like “Independence Day” or do you want to do something intelligent? Thankfully, Villeneuve chooses the high road taking the story based on Ted Chiang’s “Story of Your Life” and shaping it visually into a high concept movie from a micro viewpoint of mainly two scientists and their relationship with themselves and the aliens.

Just like the film “Interstellar” that was terrific up until the end when it went high concept and left more than half the audience behind “Arrival” faces similar challenges. Even so, Villeneuve stays true to the genre which is about challenging what is, and asking what if.

On that basis “Arrival” is stunning as it covers new ground incorporating what life and communication might be outside of the spacial dimension of time.

“Arrival” reminds me of two films that both beautifully captured high concept science fiction, “Cloud Atlas” and “The Fountain,” but ended up leaving half their audiences’ in the dust and frustrated with understanding what the heck was going on. “Arrival” faces similar challenges if conversations over heard after the screening can be trusted, and questions I personally answered to several who both enjoyed the film but didn’t quite grasp why things happened the way they did.

The lack of understanding for some will mean an uninspired reaction while others will fully embrace and appreciate a story of this magnitude.

Bottom Line: High praise is deserved for director Villeneuve who visually takes a high concept of science and incorporates it into a moving story about humanity and the nuances of life on Earth and not of Earth. Fans of science fiction will surely embrace this film of first contact while others who don’t fully comprehend may be confused in the end. Incoporating main stream talented actors like Adams and Renner, intriguing visuals, and a sumptious sound track that delivers quiet moments and powerful equally in resouding ways will go a long ways in helping those who don’t quite get the story to still enjoy the over-all film.

4 out of 5

PG-13,  1 hr. 56 min.

Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By:    Denis Villeneuve

In Theaters:    Nov 11, 2016 Wide