Blade Runner 2049 (2017) Cinematography Film Review

Hey Everyone and welcome back to another film review by Willow! Today, we're going to analyze the 2017 movie, Blade Runner 2049, masterfully shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins. It is a visual masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of this dystopian, science fiction storyline. We're going to review how Blade Runner 2049 uses cinematographic techniques including framing, camera movement, lighting, and color, to create an immersive dystopian world that creates and conveys emotional depth. Camera Framing & Shots

One of the things I really loved about the movie is really how the cinematographer set the scene from the very beginning to convey this isolated, dystopian futuristic landscape. From the opening sequence, our protagonist, K, is often framed in expansive wide shots that emphasize both the emptiness of the environment and his own sense of isolation within it. These wide shots not only showcase the bleak, industrial setting but also make K appear small and insignificant against the towering, lifeless structures around him. This technique is used throughout the film to highlight K’s alienation and to visually reinforce the overwhelming nature of the world he is forced to navigate. One striking example of this is when K visits the Wallace Corporation where he is consistently dwarfed by the massive architecture, framed at a distance to emphasize the power imbalance between himself and the environment. The use of negative space in these shots draws attention to K’s solitude, making the audience feel the weight of the world pressing down on him.

Wide Shot Example

Also, many of the film’s dialogue scenes utilize eye-level angles and over-the-shoulder shots, which create a more intimate and grounded perspective. By positioning the camera at eye level, the cinematographer creates a sense of equality between characters, allowing the audience to engage more directly with their emotions. This is particularly effective in scenes between K and Joi, where the camera subtly reinforces their connection despite the artificial nature of their relationship. Over-the-shoulder shots are frequently used in conversations, adding a perspective that shows the audience K’s point of view while also emphasizing moments of tension and power dynamics. A key example of this technique is in K’s interactions with Lieutenant Joshi, where the camera lingers over his shoulder, reinforcing his subservient position as he receives orders from her. These choices not only enhance the storytelling by guiding our focus on the conversations but also reflect the film’s themes of identity, control, and human connection in a world that feels cold and impersonal.

Camera Movement

The movie uses a lot of slow camera movements that create a contemplative and reflective mood, ultimately building tension. Rather than relying on fast cuts, the camera often glides or lingers, making us as the audience feel present in the scene. A good example of this is K’s visit to the Wallace Corporation Headquarters. The camera uses slow tracking shots as it drifts through the enormous, sterile chambers, reinforcing the corporation’s overwhelming power and the eerie calm of its artificial environment. Smooth, deliberate pans follow K as he moves through the space, making the audience feel as though they are exploring alongside him. Even the moments where Ana is pouring her tea, it a very slow process and she takes just subtle pauses that help emphasize her robotic and nonhumanistic side. Subtle tilts emphasize the towering scale of the walls and structures, visually diminishing K and reinforcing his vulnerability. The lack of quick cuts and the reliance on extended takes heighten the suspense, forcing us to take in every detail of the scene and feel the weight of its significance.

Lighting

One thing I also noticed was how Lighting contrasts warmth and darkness to enhance its themes. For example, the Wallace Corporation is bathed in a golden glow, reflecting off water surfaces to create an almost divine atmosphere, reinforcing Wallace’s god-like persona. This contrasts sharply with the film’s overall darkness, where harsh neon and deep shadows define the bleak, decayed world outside. While the golden light suggests power and control, it also feels sterile and unsettling, masking the corporation’s ruthless nature.

Color

Color plays a vital role in shaping its futuristic and atmospheric world. The cool blue tones are seen in the rainy, smog-filled city skylines, creating a sense of detachment and artificiality, reinforcing the theme of lost humanity in a technologically driven world. Meanwhile, bursts of neons of pinks, greens, and purples cut through the darkness, illuminating the streets with an otherworldly glow that enhances the film’s futuristic aesthetic. This contrast between cold blues and vivid neon colors makes the world feel both alive and eerily desolate, reflecting the tension between technology and emotion that defines the story.

In the end, Blade Runner 2049 is a stunning example of how cinematography can elevate a film beyond its storyline, creating an immersive and visually striking experience. Roger Deakins’ masterful use of lighting, framing, and color not only enhances the film’s themes of isolation and identity but also cements its place as a very visually impressive film. Every shot feels meticulously created, reinforcing the film’s atmosphere and emotional depth. Whether through its neon-drenched cityscapes or its grand and vast, desolate landscapes, Blade Runner 2049 proves that cinematography is more than just an aesthetic choice, but it’s a storytelling tool that shapes the entire cinematic experience for us viewers.

Well, that's all for me! Let me know if you all have watched movie and how you felt about its cinematic elements below! Bye for now!!

-Willow Jones