Blade Runner Vs. Blade Runner 2049: Which One Is Better?

4. Thematic Content

Blade Runner Origami Joi
Warner Bros.

The first movie did a fantastic job exploring fascinating humanist themes in ground-breaking fashion, namely what it means to be human, the ability of people to "play God", the effect of technological innovation on society and so on. It goes without saying that Blade Runner has had a huge influence on the sci-fi genre ever since, and a large number of sci-fi movies today owe a huge debt to it.

2049 explores many of the same themes but manages to avoid merely raking over them in similar fashion. The major revelation around which the film revolves takes the original's commentary one step further by pondering transhumanism and the nature of creation in provocative and thoughtful ways.

Winner: 1982's film did it first and created the bedrock for 2049's expansion, so it has to take the win, really.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.