After months of anticipation and years in the making, the first reactions to Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 are here. And they’re almost universally positive.
Image: Warner Bros.
The film screened last week ahead of its press junket, and while full reviews won’t be out until next week (it opens October 5), here are some early thoughts from critics who saw it.
BLADE RUNNER 2049 is sci-fi masterpiece; the kind of deep-cut genre film we don’t see anymore. Visually mind blowing, absolutely fantastic pic.twitter.com/A1d6ohmj3s
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) September 26, 2017
#BladeRunner2049 was one of the most mind-blowing films I’ve seen. It’s breathtaking and transportive. Denis Villeneuve has a masterpiece.
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) September 26, 2017
Good news! BLADE RUNNER 2049 is a terrific continuation and expansion of the orig. Wasn’t hoping for much, ended up LOVING it. (Even Leto!)
— Jordan Hoffman (@jhoffman) September 26, 2017
I saw #BladeRunner2049 and it is BREATHTAKING. It’s an impressive follow-up, preserving mysteries, adding new ones, expanding the universe.
— The Bibbidook (@WilliamBibbiani) September 26, 2017
.@BladeRunner 2049 is phenomenal. Visually mind-blowing sci-fi w/ noir roots shining through in a tight, twisty mystery. Best of 2017 so far pic.twitter.com/kT4ZzWWlOQ
— (((Eric Eisenberg))) (@eeisenberg) September 26, 2017
Everyone bow down to Denis Villeneuve. He’s done the impossible and delivered a huge home run with ‘Blade Runner 2049’. Loved it. pic.twitter.com/fjhAJgnwqT
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) September 26, 2017
I’ve seen Blade Runner 2049 and it’s FUCKING INCREDIBLE.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) September 26, 2017
I’ve seen #BladeRunner2049 and really enjoyed it. It’s GORGEOUS, marinating in its heady concepts. Sylvia Hoeks is a scene stealer. pic.twitter.com/glD4JFDHR6
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 26, 2017
#BladeRunner2049 is a rare sequel that actually improves on the original. Great Performances & Visually Breathtaking. Villeneuve nails it.
— Scott Menzel (@WeLiveNetwork) September 26, 2017
I’ve seen #BladeRunner2049. I looks amazing, characters and performances are strong, stays true to the original but there are flaws.
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) September 26, 2017
That’s a whole lot of hype coming from these critics. We can only hope the movie actually lives up to that, especially since our own Katharine Trendacosta saw the film as well and offers a slightly different take:
Here’s the thing about Blade Runner 2049: It’s hard to know if it’s good or bad, since what it mostly is is LONG
— K. M. Trendacosta (@k_trendacosta) September 26, 2017
Blade Runner 2049 is gorgeous, and I still don’t know if I loved it. I’m still thinking about it, though, and that’s good.
— K. M. Trendacosta (@k_trendacosta) September 26, 2017
We’ll have much, much more on Blade Runner 2049 in the coming days. But, for now, it seems like it’s OK to raise your already inflated expectations just a bit.