By Justin Taylor

“Blade Runner 2049” is the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi-noir epic, “Blade Runner,” and the latest film by acclaimed Franco-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve. “2049” is a visual masterpiece, with a stunning use of color and stark shot composition. This is the strongest part of the film, and something about which Villeneuve and the creative team were meticulous while crafting this sequel. However, in terms of plot, I wasn’t as engaged as I hoped I would have been for such a cinematic mastercraft. “Blade Runner 2049” ends up feeling a bit hollow, as it sets itself up for the future of the franchise.

The movie starts off with promise, with a somber performance from Marvel Studios alum Dave Bautista opposite Ryan Gosling’s Officer K of the LAPD. Bautista’s appearance is brief but powerful, and sets a tone of vague hopelessness for the rest of the film.

Though the plot seems thin, the film is scattered with strong performances. Jared Leto’s mysterious and cryptic Niander Wallace holds the audience with a God complex estranging him from humanity. His character is one of the more interesting in the film, but his screen-time is relegated to two short (but entertaining) scenes. His assistant/enforcer Luv (Sylvia Hoeks), however, is placed into the role of primary antagonist, while still feeling secondary. That being said, I was genuinely unnerved by her performance; her fake smile and hollow emotion made me uneasy every time another character was unfortunate enough to interact with her.

As for Ryan Gosling’s K, a replicant (artificial human) “blade runner” designed to hunt down his own kind, he feels a bit stiff, though this is probably intentional. Harrison Ford returns to the the role of Rick Deckard in a strong, pained portrayal that ultimately ends up feeling like he’s not playing the same character .

The film is gorgeous, with beautiful use of grays, yellows and blues. Every frame of this movie pops. The craftsmanship and attention to detail of the cinematography is unmatched.

The narrative isn’t quite as strong, and often feels like it is just dragging itself along to its conclusion. The inciting incident in the first scene with Bautista sets up an interesting mystery, which I honestly feel that they didn’t do enough with. For all the great set pieces that are in this film, there aren’t enough exciting events to match. There is also some initial groundwork laid for another sequel, including Leto’s character still being at large and the hint of a replicant uprising. This initially bothered me, as I never envisioned Blade Runner as a continuous franchise.

“Blade Runner” was an enjoyable experience, but is mostly held together by its strong style and cinematography and a capable cast. In the grand scheme, its narrative flaws are not fatal and a bit subjective. Ultimately, if you’re a diehard fan of the original, you’ll probably enjoy this follow-up.

Rating: B-