Replicant. The word appeared on the screen and moved to the upper left. If your eyes follow the word, you reveal the lower right portion of your eyes. Hence, making the embedded light green numerical code visible, if you are a replicant.
Blade Runner 2049 takes place 30 years after the original Blade Runner (1982) which depict the distant future of 2019, well, back in 1982 at least. Even though Blade Runner 2049 is a continuation of a 40 years old classic, the movie itself is not hard to follow even for first-time viewers. Blade Runner 2049 story follows the journey of Officer K in hunting a replicant child, something that was thought to be impossible to exist. In this grim adventure, Officer K found a calling to live more than just as a replicant.
Set in a dystopian world from the original 1982 movie, Blade Runner 2049 carries a dark and chilling tone throughout its plot. Not only the premise of its story might throw you into a deep internal crisis (in a good way), but its world building is meticulously done. The movie itself, unfortunately, suffered an estimated $80 million. However, nowadays, Blade Runner 2049 has gained a cult-like fan base. From Ryan Gosling performance, its plot and cinematography, and the deep message it tries to convey, there are a lot of things that successfully made this movie as many movie fans’ favourite.
First Of All, What Is A Replicant?
Replicants were made to do dangerous tasks like high-risk expeditions and combat. In short, their purpose was to replace humans from doing undesirable and hazardous tasks. However, they were more agile, stronger, and less susceptible to emotions than regular humans. Basically, they were purposefully made to be textbook sociopath, the perfect workers and combatants. By the year 2049, Wallace Corporation had taken over replicants manufacturing. The Nexus-9 replicant model was the first Wallace Corp-made replicant after Tyrell Corporation fell into bankruptcy. Replicant manufacturing was Tyrell Corporation’s testament on their cutting edge technology. Earlier models such as the Nexus-6 only lived around four years. However, things quickly took a turn when a rogue Nexus-6 killed the head of Tyrell Corporation, Eldon Tyrell.
Dystopian World Building Behind Heavenly Cinematography
The world of Blade Runner 2049 is a dystopian, cyberpunk wasteland. The lore of this movie traces back to the original 1982 Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford. A Blade Runner’s job was to “retire” rogue and out of control replicants, artificial humans indistinguishable from the real ones. Blade Runner 2049 tells a story of a special unit employed by LAPD called “the Blade Runner”. These blade runners’ task was to hunt down rogue replicants, especially who participated or are affiliated with rebellion groups. Despite its long duration and dark tone, the movie shows almost every shot and scenes impeccably. It is almost strange to feel how short three hours is for seeing incredible direction and camerawork. Blade Runner won several awards and nominations such as Best Cinematography and Best Special Visual Effects at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.
Ana De Armas As Joi
There is one interesting aspect in Blade Runner 2049. That is how artificial companionship, and what if they were as common as peanut butter. In the movie, Officer K had a relationship with an A.I. companion called Joi, played by Ana De Armas. Joi was a holographic A.I. sold commercially by Wallace Corporation as a virtual girlfriend. Her role in the movie might be that of a supporting role. But, she triggered a major plot point where Officer K questioned whether he was the replicant child. Officer K relationship with the AI hologram was a warm touch among the twisted world of Blade Runner 2049. Officer K’s attachment to Joi was based on an authentic connection that he felt toward her. However, this also sparks a question, can an A.I. feel the same thing? The movie clearly depicts Joi as a product at one point, but does that really means that A.I. is devoid of human compassion? Certainly, this part of the movie resonates with how A.I. is starting to grow and find its place in real life.
Humanity Within Non-Humans
Officer K’s journey on discovering his desire, his purpose, and what he meant to be is eerily humanlike considering he was a genetically engineered replicant. However, Blade Runner 2049 depicts his character as someone who experienced a real life journey, a discovery, and a real internal turmoil. The movie forewarns the audience with the problem of how humanity would perceive sentient beings even if they aren’t naturally born. Whether a non-human humanoid has consciousness or not put any overthinker into an interesting intersection. The ending of the movie also further emphasize Officer K’s humanity by showing him taking Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, to his daughter. His desire to be more than an executioner of a human’s dirty job is akin to the very human longing for purpose and goal in life.
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