See all the latest videos and articles patriots need to watch and read at Discern.tv.
There’s an advantage to being a movie snob. Since many of the movies I see are movies that most Americans don’t, I get to hold a certain self-righteous superiority when it comes to reviewing them. It’s been years since I reviewed a movie because I only review movies I like and Hollywood hasn’t been putting out many of those lately.
Blade Runner 2049 is a movie I truly enjoyed. An argument can be made that it did better as an homage sequel than any other. The not-so-subtle calls to the original started immediately with a close-up of an eye and they continued throughout. Simultaneously, there were only a handful of “fanboy” pieces inserted; one could easily watch this movie with no knowledge of the first and still enjoy it thoroughly.
That’s the end of the review section of this article. The review isn’t the point. It’s an R-rated movie with some violence and nudity set in a futuristic universe. If that appeals to you, see the movie. It’s wonderful.
Now, on to the bigger issue. One might think based upon my opening that I’m glad this movie bombed so I could keep my sense of superiority. If this move REALLY bombed, as in failing to reach $100 million at the domestic box office, then I could claim that mantle for the movie, but in the whole scheme of things this isn’t an unknown yet wonderful film like Brick or Baby Driver or any of a dozens of movies that most people have never and will never see. Most people will know something about this movie even if they don’t see it. Despite a dismal opening weekend, it’s still likely to break $100 million.
The reason I’m glad it’s bombing is because Hollywood needs to be taught another lesson on two subjects: recycling and building franchises. Hollywood has become lazy over the last two decades, punctuated in recent years with movies like 21 Jump Street. If ever a movie shouldn’t have been made and definitely shouldn’t have been turned into a franchise, this is it. Keep in mind that it’s not a bad movie. I actually enjoyed it and its sequel. Unfortunately, it justifies the two biggest problems in Hollywood.
We need original content. Today, everything has to have source material, whether it’s comic books, television shows, or original films. This is a horrible trend in Hollywood that needs to end. Hopefully, Blade Runner 2049 bombing despite Ryan Gosling’s presence and rising star Denis Villeneuve directing it will be another reason for Hollywood to turn towards original screenplays and fresh universes rather than recycled concepts.
Moreover, the bombing of this movie prevented it from being turned into a franchise. I won’t go into spoilers, but there was room left for not only a continuation but for separate films in the same cinematic universe being made. Just as Ridley Scott did with the Alien universe, it was possible for Blade Runner’s universe to spawn further movies. Thankfully, it won’t.
We don’t need more franchises. We need more standalone movies built from original content that can shine critically and at the box office. Hollywood doesn’t believe in that formula anymore. It’s time to let them know we still do.
Covid variant BA.5 is spreading. It appears milder but much more contagious and evades natural immunity. Best to boost your immune system with new Z-Dtox and Z-Stack nutraceuticals from our dear friend, the late Dr. Vladimir Zelenko.