The new ‘Blade Runner’ is Officially a sequel!

Yesterday a press release by Warner Bros. confirmed what has long been speculated, the new Blade Runner is officially a sequel.

When the new Blade Runner was first revealed to be in production, Scott wasn’t clear on if the new one would be a side story just set in the same time period/ same universe to the original Blade Runner, but he eventually did get around to mentioning that it was more likely to be a sequel.

But now with the press release its been confirmed to be a sequel to the original Blade Runner and that screenwriter Hampton Fancher is confirmed his involvement. For people who dont understand the gravity of his now confirmed involvement, he was the primary influence and was  instrumental in Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep being optioned into a movie, which led to Blade Runner becoming a film in the first place. Although it isnt clear on the level of involvemtent but it is confirmed that he’s on board to “develop the idea for the original screenplay” for the new movie.

But along with all this news, Ridley Scott dropped a very interesting note while interviewing in regards to his upcoming Alien prequel Prometheus;

“Funny enough, I started my first meetings on the Blade Runner sequel last week. We have a very good take on it. And we’ll definitely be featuring a female protagonist.”

 

With all this news and the rumors of Harrison Ford even coming back for a cameo, I for one am beyond excited for all this news. Blade Runner is an amazing piece of cinematic art, its not for everyone simply because its message is extremely profound and its easily missed on those who cant see those kinds of things in movies. Blade Runner to me has always been  a testament to what movies can be at their best, and I applaud Ridley Scott deciding to revisit one of his most epic masterpieces all this years later, I just hope that what he does with this movie is what fans are expected with Prometheus. Only time will tell, but I’m sure to be waiting on the edge of my seat until then.

Follow the break to read the official press release.

REVIEW: The Avengers

 

Short Spoiler-Free Review:

The Avengers presents everything a summer blockbuster requires. Action, Drama,  Humor, and Heartache. First announced back in 2008 (Rumors of its production started as early as 2005) fans didn’t believe this movie was possible. An epic ensemble with its build up from 5 separate, yet connected, movies. From its roots IronMan, IronMan 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, fans have tried to piece together what a movie like this would be, but most of all, they tried to imagine how it would be possible.

The movie shouldn’t have worked. Its reputation, its hype, its build up, should have ruined it, And if it was any other movie it would have. But it didn’t.

The Avengers was directed by Cult favorite Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Serenity, Dollhouse) work has created him a reputation that sometimes can precede him, but he delivered more than anyone could have ever imagined. The entire movie feels like a third act to an epic story that first started with IronMan and was building up from these 5 movies. What caught me off guard, and surprised me the most, was how amazingly funny it was. I experienced something I had not seen since I was a child, people laughed out loud, and hard.  People cheered and laughed some more, it was like a theater performance, people loved it, ate it up, and were enveloped by it. It transcended the everyday movie and became an experience.

Some may ask, “Should I see the other 5 to understand the Avengers?” Short answer, Yes. But you don’t have to.

I took my wife over the weekend to see this movie, and she had only seen about 30 minutes of the first IronMan, and 45 of Captain America, in short, she likes Superhero movies, but hasn’t bothered to really watch any of them. She loved it. Absolutely loved it. But, for every moment she didn’t understand, she would lean over and ask a question, and by the halfway point of the movie, I had answered over two dozen. After the movie, she pulled me aside, and told me that the movie was amazing, and she would want to see it again, but first she would want to sit down and watch the other 5.

Bottom line. The Avengers is everything a fan would hope it to be, and more than what the average movie goer will expect. You don’t need to be a fan to enjoy the movie, but if you have taken the time to see the other 5, this movie will do exactly what you want for these characters. It is not the perfect comic book/superhero movie, but it is damn close.

 

The Avengers 4.5/5 – A

Below the break is a Longer Spoiler-Filled Review

*If you do not want key moments of the movie ruined for you, do not read any further.*