With apologies to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Steven Spielberg’s “The Post,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest and, obviously, “Geostorm,” the film we’re most intrigued by for the rest of 2017 is “Blade Runner 2049.” In part, of course, it’s because it’s the long-awaited sequel to one of the most beloved and influential sci-fi movies of all time, Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” In part, it’s because it’s the latest film from Denis Villeneuve, the French-Canadian filmmaker who’s had a hell of a run in recent years, culminating with last year’s wonderful “Arrival.”
And partly because we’re fairly confident that the other movies above are going to pretty good, whereas there’s a nervous uncertainty about Villeneuve’s 35-years-on sequel. Could it possibly live up to the reputation of the original? Will it be a sort of “Tron: Legacy”-type deal? Is it a tentpole actioner in the clothes of a thoughtful sci-fi picture?
The movie’s still about ten days away, and reviews won’t hit til next Monday, but fortunately, Warner Bros appear to have lifted the social media embargo on the film today, so the first tweet-reactions from those who’ve seen it have been coming in. And they’re… pleasingly enthusiastic?
Now, this wouldn’t be the first time that the first wave of responses to a high-profile movie proved to be out of step with the more general reaction (remember when people came out of CinemaCon saying that “Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” was the best since the first one?…), but there are enough names we trust here to feel a little less anxious about the movie, especially with Villeneuve and DP Roger Deakins coming in for particular praise.
“Blade Runner 2049” stars Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, Edward James Olmos, Barkhad Abdi, Carla Juri, Lennie James, David Dastmalchian, Hiam Abbass and *sigh* Jared Leto, and you can see it in theaters from October 6th. Take a look at some of the tweets reactions below, and check back next week for our review of all 160 minutes of it.
Good news! BLADE RUNNER 2049 is a terrific continuation and expansion of the orig. Wasn't hoping for much, ended up LOVING it. (Even Leto!)
— Jordan Hoffman (@jhoffman) September 26, 2017
BLADE RUNNER 2049 is great. The third act is ???. Denis' run continues.
— Brandon Norwood (@bwood0824) September 26, 2017
BLADE RUNNER 2049: The thrill of mood and extensional joys of self-reflection. Villeneuve’s slow-burn obsessions have never felt more SEEN.
— Jason (@jasonosia) September 26, 2017
.@BladeRunner 2049 is phenomenal. Visually mind-blowing sci-fi w/ noir roots shining through in a tight, twisty mystery. Best of 2017 so far pic.twitter.com/kT4ZzWWlOQ
— (((Eric Eisenberg))) (@eeisenberg) September 26, 2017
Our own @JimmytotheO calls @bladerunner "Astonishing… More than just a visual wonder, it's a groundbreaking science fiction masterpiece." pic.twitter.com/ulDJYJzMqT
— JoBlo.com (@joblocom) September 26, 2017
#BladeRunner2049 was one of the most mind-blowing films I've seen. It's breathtaking and transportive. Denis Villeneuve has a masterpiece.
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) September 26, 2017
I've seen Blade Runner 2049 and it's FUCKING INCREDIBLE.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) September 26, 2017
BLADE RUNNER 2049 is sci-fi masterpiece; the kind of deep-cut genre film we don't see anymore. Visually mind blowing, absolutely fantastic pic.twitter.com/A1d6ohmj3s
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) September 26, 2017