Did anyone else have the feeling that this was a pilot for a series? That said I enjoyed the ideas, a sort of re-imagining of Terminator 2. The early scenes from 1988 felt really authentic. Others have referred to this as a guilty pleasure. I don't feel this is a guilty pleasure, I am quite happy to applaud its virtues. Trust me I have watched a lot of sci-fi that has made far less sense than this. Enjoy!
Reviews
4 Reviews
Blade Runner 2049
(2017)
Mixed feelings
10 October 2017
BR2049 is without doubt too long. Most scenes are so long, you find yourself thinking "come on, move it along". Mr. Villeneuve is obviously not from the 'less is more' school of film making
Visually BR2049 is breathtaking and contains some the best visual effects I have ever seen on screen. Watching this movie on a small screen will just be a waste of time, as its whole intention is to be grand, to be operatic.
Sadly the drama of the plot gets swallowed by the extended visual artistry.
Ryan Gosling does okay with a limited script, but the acting accolades, such as they are must go to Ana De Armas. She managed to imbue her character with some humanity. Ironic really, given that her character was the least human of the cast. Maybe this was intentional?
Blade Runner has been in the top 3 of my all time favourite movies forever. I remember well, seeing it on release at the Odeon Leicester Square. BR2049 is a pale shadow of the original film, but its not without merit.
Blade Runner's fusion of sci-fi and noir was groundbreaking, as was the score and the films particular dark dystopian vision. I found myself empathising with Deckards moral dilemmas. Goslings performance as LAPD Officer K lacks the nuance that Harrison Ford brought to Deckard in the original. In Blade Runner, Deckard was silly, wise-cracking, intense, unpredictably violent, remorseful and madly in love. Deckard was complex. LAPD Officer K is just a troubled/tortured 'soul'. It's what Ryan Gosling always does.
BR2049 is worth seeing just for its visual grandeur, but is has the emotional punch of a Connor McGregor jab.
Visually BR2049 is breathtaking and contains some the best visual effects I have ever seen on screen. Watching this movie on a small screen will just be a waste of time, as its whole intention is to be grand, to be operatic.
Sadly the drama of the plot gets swallowed by the extended visual artistry.
Ryan Gosling does okay with a limited script, but the acting accolades, such as they are must go to Ana De Armas. She managed to imbue her character with some humanity. Ironic really, given that her character was the least human of the cast. Maybe this was intentional?
Blade Runner has been in the top 3 of my all time favourite movies forever. I remember well, seeing it on release at the Odeon Leicester Square. BR2049 is a pale shadow of the original film, but its not without merit.
Blade Runner's fusion of sci-fi and noir was groundbreaking, as was the score and the films particular dark dystopian vision. I found myself empathising with Deckards moral dilemmas. Goslings performance as LAPD Officer K lacks the nuance that Harrison Ford brought to Deckard in the original. In Blade Runner, Deckard was silly, wise-cracking, intense, unpredictably violent, remorseful and madly in love. Deckard was complex. LAPD Officer K is just a troubled/tortured 'soul'. It's what Ryan Gosling always does.
BR2049 is worth seeing just for its visual grandeur, but is has the emotional punch of a Connor McGregor jab.
StartUp
(2016–2018)
Does not quite get a top rating, but...
21 January 2017
..There is a lot to admire in this series. Would I recommend it, yes but with reservations. I really admired the cinematography and the sets. The interiors of the upscale houses and apartments reminded me of Michael Mann's Miami Vice. The lighting of the outdoor scenes that were shot at night was exceptional, whether it was the slums or downtown. This Miami was part of the story and its contrasts beautifully rendered.
On the other hand I felt the narrative dragged too often for my liking. There were many scenes where I felt "what was the point of that?" It was not quite plodding but pretty close to it. There are many long scenes where 2 or 3 people are just in conversation. I understand that the point of these scenes is for the viewer to gain insight into the characters personality and motivations (as they were not about developing the plot), but at the same time they needed to be witty or dramatic or insightful or clever. There are too many conversations that don't meet any of those criteria or increase our empathy.
The acting was almost uniformly good. Edi Gathegi is an actor with huge screen presence, something you can't learn, you either have it or you don't. His performance here is magnetic and one of the best things (if not the best thing) about the series.
The plethora of sex scenes (particularly in the early episodes) felt gratuitous. Sadly this seems to be fashionable, maybe it's an attempt to appeal to a certain demographic. But I don't like it.
I enjoyed the interesting and often ingenious plotting. Its an old story i.e. one innocent act sends a characters life spiralling out of control into dark and dangerous places. We have seen this many times before. But in this series we are intimate witness to 4 lives simultaneously spiralling out of control in very different but connected ways.
The final acts in episode 10 are moving and very powerful, nicely setting up a second season. Starup has the potential to develop as one of the best series in the genre. For that to happen season 2 needs to build on what is good i.e. direction, acting, plot, cinematography, lighting and remove what is less good i.e. gratuitous sex and pedestrian narrative pacing.
I look forward to season 2.
On the other hand I felt the narrative dragged too often for my liking. There were many scenes where I felt "what was the point of that?" It was not quite plodding but pretty close to it. There are many long scenes where 2 or 3 people are just in conversation. I understand that the point of these scenes is for the viewer to gain insight into the characters personality and motivations (as they were not about developing the plot), but at the same time they needed to be witty or dramatic or insightful or clever. There are too many conversations that don't meet any of those criteria or increase our empathy.
The acting was almost uniformly good. Edi Gathegi is an actor with huge screen presence, something you can't learn, you either have it or you don't. His performance here is magnetic and one of the best things (if not the best thing) about the series.
The plethora of sex scenes (particularly in the early episodes) felt gratuitous. Sadly this seems to be fashionable, maybe it's an attempt to appeal to a certain demographic. But I don't like it.
I enjoyed the interesting and often ingenious plotting. Its an old story i.e. one innocent act sends a characters life spiralling out of control into dark and dangerous places. We have seen this many times before. But in this series we are intimate witness to 4 lives simultaneously spiralling out of control in very different but connected ways.
The final acts in episode 10 are moving and very powerful, nicely setting up a second season. Starup has the potential to develop as one of the best series in the genre. For that to happen season 2 needs to build on what is good i.e. direction, acting, plot, cinematography, lighting and remove what is less good i.e. gratuitous sex and pedestrian narrative pacing.
I look forward to season 2.
Revolution
(2012–2014)
Deeply flawed, but often brilliant
24 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I'm late to the party, but what the hell! I agree with a lot (if not most) of the reviews, in that the central set up for there being no electricity is just nonsense...particularly when the components to generate electricity still exist. I also agree with the many criticisms about the clothing, hunger, disease, munitions etc. But I think there are a couple of things that save 'Revolution' from being devoured by its ludicrous plot.
Firstly, the acting, which I found to be of a higher standard than one normally finds in this kind of fare. Billy Burke, Giancarlo Esposito, David Lyons and Elizabeth Mitchell all largely put in fine performances.
The 'theme' which most commentators seem to have overlooked and which for me is the most important aspect of the show; is would you sacrifice your friends/family for the opportunity to create a better world? This question is asked over and over again during season 1 (I have not seen season 2), often with the same character answering in opposite ways due to particular circumstances. There is no right/wrong answer, but the point of this question is for the viewer to consider whether their moral certainty is built on concrete or shifting sand.
Whilst not quite achieving a real 'edge of your seat' moment, I found that each episode had at least 2 moments of great suspense.
Finally what I found refreshing was the shows willingness to engage with ugly politics. In other post apocalyptic dramas...the Road, Mad Max, Walking Dead etc., there is a reluctance to acknowledge the political...the fight for land and power. 'Revolution' shows us that the real threats are not external but internal. It shows us how fragile the status-quo really is, and how easily it all could fall apart.
I enjoyed 'Revolution'. It reminded me of the 'Watchmen' movie. Firstly because it often poses the very simple question; Do the ends justify the means? Secondly, because it is deeply flawed but often brilliant. Much like we are...
Firstly, the acting, which I found to be of a higher standard than one normally finds in this kind of fare. Billy Burke, Giancarlo Esposito, David Lyons and Elizabeth Mitchell all largely put in fine performances.
The 'theme' which most commentators seem to have overlooked and which for me is the most important aspect of the show; is would you sacrifice your friends/family for the opportunity to create a better world? This question is asked over and over again during season 1 (I have not seen season 2), often with the same character answering in opposite ways due to particular circumstances. There is no right/wrong answer, but the point of this question is for the viewer to consider whether their moral certainty is built on concrete or shifting sand.
Whilst not quite achieving a real 'edge of your seat' moment, I found that each episode had at least 2 moments of great suspense.
Finally what I found refreshing was the shows willingness to engage with ugly politics. In other post apocalyptic dramas...the Road, Mad Max, Walking Dead etc., there is a reluctance to acknowledge the political...the fight for land and power. 'Revolution' shows us that the real threats are not external but internal. It shows us how fragile the status-quo really is, and how easily it all could fall apart.
I enjoyed 'Revolution'. It reminded me of the 'Watchmen' movie. Firstly because it often poses the very simple question; Do the ends justify the means? Secondly, because it is deeply flawed but often brilliant. Much like we are...
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