The wait is over. Today, Warner Brothers finally released the first full-length trailer for Blade Runner 2049, the highly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scotts’s 1982 science fiction classic. Fans were already hyped for the film, and really, why wouldn’t they be? Scott is serving as an executive producer and Harrison Ford is set to reprise his role as Deckard. New additions to the cast and crew include Ryan Gosling as Ford’s co-lead and director Denis Villeneuve at the helm. Everything, from the supporting cast to the crew, seemed like the perfect ingredients for an exciting second chapter in the epic series.
The trailer lived up to the hype, with fans going wild over the stunning visuals and hints at the mysterious plot. They’re right to be excited – the trailer is gorgeous and intriguing, without giving away too much. Of course, there are specific moments that are highlights. Here are the biggest things we noticed about the latest trailer.
THE CINEMATOGRAPHY
It would be impossible to talk about the trailer without first talking about Roger Deakin’s absolutely stunning cinematography. Visually, the film looks rich and gorgeous. Colorful in a way that doesn’t seem cartoonish, Deakins’s visuals are a treat for the eyes. He skillfully captures the world of Blade Runner while still putting a his own mark on the film. As a three-time collaborator with Villeneuve, it’s easy to see why Deakins was the first choice for this project; as Villeneuve said in an interview, he went “wild” with the visuals. A thirteen-time Academy Award nominee, this film might seal the deal on Deakins’ fourteenth nomination, and possibly his first win.
THE SCORE
When it was announced that original Blade Runner composer Vangelis would not be returning for the film, some fans worried that the music would not have the same ominous and memorable feel as the original score. Academy Award nominee Jóhann Jóhannsson was brought on to score the film, and if this trailer is any indicator, he more than rises to the challenge. Fans remarked on how similar the score in the trailer is to the original film, and how well it sets the tone of the world. The trailer music might not be used in the actual film, but so far any and all fears have been assuaged by the trailer’s music. Much like Deakins, Jóhannsson was the right choice to bring the world of Blade Runner to life.
EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSe
The sequel also does an excellent job of looking like it belongs in the world of the first film, while still looking like a unique follow-up. The world of Blade Runner 2049 looks like it takes place in the same universe as Blade Runner, but it also looks as though time has passed and the world has changed. Take the massive holograms – they look similar to those found in the first film, but the technology has clearly evolved and changed between both films. The most important element is that the world still looks grimy, foggy, and well-lived in. The grit is what made the first film so unique; it’s important that the sequel still captures that feel instead of making everything shiny and clean. That would take away some of the impact of the film.
THE SUPPORTING CAST
The teaser for Blade Runner 2049 only showed us glimpses of Gosling’s K and Ford’s Deckard, but kept the rest of the cast shrouded in mystery, whereas this trailer highlights more of the cast members, including Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, and Ana de Armas. The most notable exception is Edward James Olmos’s Gaff, who does not appear. Given that he has significant ties to Deckard’s past, which we will touch on later, it makes sense that he’s shrouded with secrecy, as his involvement might venture into spoiler territory. Of course, one supporting cast member gets the lion’s share of the spotlight, with good reason…
JARED LETO’S VILLAIN
Academy Award winner Jared Leto is bringing a second villain to life on the silver screen. His role in the trailer is scary in how gentle it is – most notably during an eerie birth scene with a replicant, during which he coos, “happy birthday.” He is interested in pursuing both K and Deckard, though why he’s interested in them remains a mystery. He’s also not entirely human, as evidenced by the trailer. Whether he’s a replicant who’s gained power, or some other type of non-human, remains to be seen. He establishes a strong presence in the trailer though, and will no doubt prove to be a formidable and frightening villain in the full film.
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