Double Feature: Blade Runner 2049 (2017) & Set It Up (2018)

There isn’t really much of a correlation to this pairing. But they have been sitting in the background for a bit too long so I’m just going to get this done and over with!

Blade Runner 2049 started solely because my husband is a huge fan of Blade Runner, like many people are. I however have never managed to finish the first film for a myriad of questions however, since I did rent this one, I decided to give it a go anyways. As for Set It Up, I like romantic comedies, more the older stuff than the new stuff because most of the new ones are quite lackluster with perhaps a few exceptions which I mostly haven’t had a chance to see. However, this one got some good reviews so I was motivated to see it. Netflix Originals particularly for film has been a somewhat hit and miss department so we’ll see how it goes.

Let’s check out this double feature!

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Ana de Armas, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Dave Bautista, Sylvia Hoeks

A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years. – IMDB

Blade Runner 2049 is a sequel and I’m guessing because of the space between the first movie’s release until 2017, they actually put in a lot of backstory to help support it. I like this because it encourages people to go into this movie and not feel lost. Nothing sucks more than going into a movie and feeling like you just stepped in the middle of a party where you know no one and just interrupted everything in the process (I’m looking at you Star Wars: The Force Awakens). For that, I am immensely grateful. For the record, I like Blade Runner 2049 a lot. The cinematography is beautiful and the characters are intriguing. There is so much depth to the story, the world and its characters and a well-developed plot. Its a little slow in spots. I’m also guessing that for fans of the movie, it would hold much more meaning and depth but as a newcomer to this world, it still was a great experience. There were some twists and some disturbing moments and the soundtrack is also outstanding. Ryan Gosling is fantastic and I love Ana de Armas as Joi. Jared Leto as the bad guy worked really well.

I’m not going to lie that I don’t feel very connected to the film and I didn’t go afterwards and psychoanalysis it either. I liked the movie for what it was and there is a lot to like about it. For once, it did make me feel like finding some time, boiling up a pot of tea and just getting through Blade Runner once and for all.

Set It Up (2018)

Director: Claire Scanlon

Cast: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Joan Smalls, Meredith Hagner, Pete Davidson, Jon Rudnitsky, Tituss Burgess

Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses. – IMDB

As I mentioned before, romantic comedies have been slim picking of late. Luckily, Set It Up offers some great fun! The main thing goes to creating great chemistry between Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell who play Harper and Charlie respectively and are the two executive assistants. There are some incredibly over the top moments giving it some sort of The Devil Wears Prada with their unforgiving bosses who just demand so much and lack sensitivity. Don’t get me wrong though. Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs do a great job at being said bosses, granted they are slotted into supporting roles. Its a lot of fun to watch and dial in a lot of comedy which works for its premise. The romance part like I said before has a lot of chemistry behind it. There are some tropes as most romantic comedies do but somehow it keeps it really natural.

I had my worries and doubts before getting into this one but I ended up watching it a second time the next day, which usually is a great sign! When romantic comedies truly hit me hard and I feel the chemistry and truly connect with the couple, its a sign that I know that they’ve delivered their part. Its been a long time romcoms, its great to see a comeback with this one. I foresee myself watching this one again very soon.

And that wraps up this double feature!
I know that I kept it fairly short, but its what I had originally intended for these double features.
Plus, there wasn’t much to criticize. I honestly thought both of these films did a pretty good job and I enjoyed it both (which is getting rare).

Have you seen these films? Thoughts?