It’s an odd time we’re living in when it comes to visual media. We have TV shows that should’ve been movies, to cut out the filler (I’m talking about you Stranger Things). What about that one board game that actually made a decent horror flick? I’m looking at you, Ouija 2, directed by the talented Mike Flanagan. And now we have Blade Runner 2049, a movie that’s so jam-packed with good ideas, it should’ve at least been a mini-series on Netflix.Imagine if this type of material had at least 6 episodes to explore these compelling characters in the traditional Blade Runner fashion? Instead of rushing past them – like this movie did – each character could’ve been given an hour to roam in 2049’s horrifying dystopia. The last thing I want this material to do is go against the famous Roy Batty speech, but what I am saying is that when you present a mainstream audience with original ideas, don’t disrespect us by not exploring them.
What if we had a chance to spend an hour with JOi traversing the dingy streets of 2049? How would this technology react with its new surroundings? What would happen to her, and the men that she encounters? And what about the under-used liberation front? Would you really not want to watch an hour of these followers arguing and loosing their minds over the complexities of such a confusing reality, while trying to figure out what they truly believe in? As a writer, that sounds like the type of challenge I’d want to tackle. Speaking of which, imagine a silent episode in which Harrison Ford drinks and reminisces in his own, private Vegas. Too many good ideas that could’ve fit perfectly into the flow of the Blade Runner franchise.
Sigh. My next guess is that the Candy Land content will be turned into a piece of literature.
Comments
4 responses to “Puppet the Critic Show: Blade Runner 2049”
Pete! Long time, no see. Hope all has been well. Oof! I’d definitely want a show like this to end, only allowing something like 6-10 episodes, focusing on similar themes that resonate with the original film’s mode and tone. Talk soon.
Thanks, CB. It’s good to be back. The mystery in the first film was predicated on character’s questioning identity, an ironic disconnect while constantly being connected, and finding meaning in their routine action. I agree that this new film explored too much of the BR world, yet do you think they could’ve introduced us to similar characters, while using the original film’s themes, like the examples stated above, to create a similar experience? For material like this, I’d assume we’d both agree that we care less about story and plot, and more about character and tone. Thanks again for the post.
~Puppet
I waited a long time to watch the sequel, as I feared I would be disappointed.
And I mostly was of course.
Perhaps you are right. They could have just made another interminable streaming series instead, and left us with just the original masterpiece to savour.
Best wishes, Pete.
Great stuff, Puppet. As mentioned in my earlier article, I think that the film explored TOO MUCH of the Blade Runner world, taking the mystery out of the original.
That said, I think many will agree with you 😉
http://curnblog.com/2018/01/28/blade-runner-2049-good-sequels-bad-sequels/