Episode 19: Blade Runner & Blade Runner 2049 (SPOILERS)

Two Blade Runners. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. Our discussion starts by discussing the bold visual choices in both films, particularly the mastery present in the lighting, as well as the complimenting iconic music. We talk about some of the story elements, particularly the opening, and the keeping of Hampton Fancher as the writer from the original film to the sequel. We then delve into the box office returns on the new film and how it echoes the struggles of the original film. Our discussion then moves on to the great work done by the actors in Blade Runner 2049, particularly Sylvia Hoeks as Luv and Ryan Gosling as Agent K. We all agreed at the strength of the writing and filmmaking around the K and Joi relationship in the new film. We then debate and disagree on the effect of the fight scene between the two Blade Runners in the new film and the success of the Rachel clone special effects. We then get into the sexual politics of the two films and whether or not acknowledging the objectification of women warrants having naked female figures everywhere, as well as the complicated nature of the sex scenes.