Blade Runner 2049, a sequel the sci fi cult classic that’s over 30 years old at this point, is one of the few staggered sequels to actually do the original justice – and it bombed spectacularly.
And for all of the money that flows towards unnecessary hands in Hollywood, it really is a shame that Blade Runner 2049 didn’t make as much of a financial mark as it could have.
The trailers for Blade Runner 2049 were not at all representative of the final product (thank god).
Hopefully, the goodwill of viewers and critics from its theatrical release snowballs with the digital release, available now, on services such Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu.
While watching the movie digitally won’t be the definitive way to experience Blade Runner 2049 (that goes to the 4k HDR Blu-ray), it is now possible to experience the sequel in 4k HDR glory with Vudu.
Vudu offers Blade Runner 2049 for purchase in 4k with support for both HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. If you aren’t familiar with the terminology, these are the two front runners of HDR formatting.
In order to enjoy the format you’ll need to own a device like the Google Chromecast Ultra, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, or Roku Streaming Stick+. Unfortunately, the number of devices that support 4k HDR playback on Vudu is limited at the moment.
Here is a full list of devices and TV’s that support 4k HDR playback on the Vudu app.
Regardless of format, I hope that more people give the movie a shot. It’s most likely destined to remain a cult classic, but it’s the type of film to sink its meticulous, plotting claws into those that click with what Blade Runner 2049 offers.
Not sold on owning the movie digitally?
According to OnDVDR, Blade Runner will be available to rent via Netflix and Redbox starting on January 23rd. I would assume other services like Google Play, iTunes, and Amazon would follow suit barring any kind of exclusivity deals.
And for those waiting on the physical release, the 4k Blu-ray/Blu-ray and DVD are set to release on January 16th. This is personally what I’m waiting on because I need to own it and I want to see the movie with as little compression as possible.
The original Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies of all time and as I reflected upon seeing Blade Runner 2049 after seeing it in theaters, I knew it would become a movie I would revisit.
Blurb of a Review
I want to do a proper review of Blade Runner 2049 once I end up getting the Blu-ray release so that I can approach the movie in a more present sense, but I’d also like to give my thoughts based on one watch and plenty of time to mull over what I saw.
First and foremost, I do like the original better than this movie. And for a while there my impression of Blade Runner 2049 was sullied by this fact.
As time passed I was able to see it for the enigmatic creation it is, standing firm on its own two feet while graciously propped by concepts of yesteryear.
And that is, Blade Runner 2049 is both unrelenting in its loyalty as well as a marksman of distilled intuition insofar as approaching new territory.
The intangible feel of Blade Runner has been faithfully reconstructed in the year 2017 and the ways in which it is made a sequel, as opposed to a mere cinematic love letter, are done incredibly well for the most part.
It’s biggest flaw is that it never misses a beat to the melody of this symphonic dance – Blade Runner 2049 will aid in the aimless wandering of the mind for many, and apologetically.
But if you’re someone open to meticulous cyberpunk tinted sci fi, embroidered with “moments within moments” meant to help you dissolve and tune in, then give this movie a chance.
Truthfully, there’s not much to get with Blade Runner 2049. It’s more of an experiential affair and your enjoyment will be in part determined by how well you open up to seemingly “dead air”.
It’s monolithic in the face of all of its empty moments.
And to think, the original Blade Runner was an even bigger void of seemingly inconsequential moments and oddity.
Lover of games, tech, nature, and strange electronic music. Shaped by Sega, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox – platform agnostic ever since. Currently overwhelmed by choice on my Xbox Series X thanks to Game Pass.