Blade Runner 2049 is a rare kind of sequel that is both brilliant on its own, while improving upon the original film. Too often sequels are little more than weaponized nostalgia. However, Director, Denis Villeneuve, and (cool as hell) DP, Roger Deakins, bring their A++ game to Blade Runner 2049, engendering greater depth to the original Blade Runner (1982), while creating a meaningful follow-up - 35 years later - that raises the bar for both movies.