When Ridley Scott's 1982 detective noir/sci-fi mashup “Blade
Runner” first hit theatres it was thrashed by critics and failed to draw an
audience, much like John Carpenter's “The Thing”, which was released at
the same time. The summer of 1982 belonged to Spielberg's “E.T.”, but in
the years since, both Carpenter's gruelling paranoia-infused sci-fi/horror and
Scott's cerebral future noir vision of dystopia 2019 have been reassessed and
gained the adoration of film fans around the world.
That's worth bearing in
mind considering Denis Villeneuve's belated sequel failed to draw much of a
cinema-going audience, but did gather a vast array of five star reviews. Some
have theorised that the long-winded 163 minute running time is responsible,
while others blame a lack of 'broad appeal', but perhaps there are just some
movies viewers are more comfortable viewing in their own home? Think about it,
how many people will have discovered Scott's original on home video, DVD, or
any number of other ancillary markets instead of at the cinema? Indeed, with a
trip to the cinema being an increasing pain in the arse (ill-mannered
patrons, rude staff, escalating ticket prices, an avalanche of pre-show
advertising), it's hardly surprising that BR2049 didn't set the box
office alight.
But enough about the film's financial failings over a short
period of time in the temporary home of a darkened room, because the true
lifespan of Villeneuve's sci-fi epic will be in whichever context the audience
will choose to experience it. Personally, that was in the comfort of my own
living room with the Blu-Ray that I'd pre-ordered months prior.
Belated sequels represent a treacherous path to walk for
many reasons, including the very real risk of taking a large, steaming dump
over a beloved original...
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