Kermode Uncut: Blade Runner Box Office Bomb?

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode
Like many critics I love Blade Runner 2049 but there are loads of stories about it failing at the box office. What is going on?

[@1080TJ]

This film got an A- on Cinemascore and did very well in Thursday night showings. The hardcore fans, the target audience, the people who went out to see it, loved it. It's appeal just isn't as wide as a more conventional blockbuster, much like the original. If it had been a mid-budget sci-fi film like Arrival, it'd be a success. I'm glad it got the budget it it did, though. All that money is on the screen. One of the most gorgeous films I've ever seen. Still, sad to see it's not doing well with young people. I'm 19 and I've seen it twice.

[@iain2080]

TJ Hastie I'm 17 and did the same. Even better on a second viewing imo

[@1080TJ]

ChungLing Su lol says the guy with a Pizzagate playlist

[@qncsc]

both liked and hated it. the box office receipts are a problem as such events -- missing the mark -- make it a signaling effect and thus more difficult for future sci-fi and such films, which i want to see (much) more of. the film could have been more modest, in budget and time and scope of content, to achieve a more significant attraction to a broader audience. it is an art piece -- but also a big budget film. it trying to be both is a real problem.

[@SurzhenkoAndrii]

I am fan of the first film, this one tries too hard to replace ideas and playing with pictures. Not buying, it shoul sink.

[@monishk6561]

17 and sneaked in theatres here. Loved it. Dennis Villenuvele is very talented

[@edwardde5618]

I acctually care, mostly because this means less risk will be taken with large sums of money to make interesting films.

[@lazyboy9883]

Couldn't agree more! I shouldn't care about the money but the sad truth is we're bombarded with franchises which are mostly financially successful. When an amazing film like this comes along, I want it to be a critical AND financial success so at least some studios will take a gamble on new projects. Indie movies can be great but 2049 needed the budget.... and what a job they done!

[@ryanlovelock3024]

Fair point, but you don't need to spend 150m to make an interesting film. Look at Looper for example, 30m budget. The only reason this movie commanded the budget it did was because of the talent involved in its production. Looking at the results, if the same team came together for something else, studios will be lining up to cut them a 9 figure check.

[@Lollol-nl4rf]

The film had a faster pacing than the original, but apparently it wasn'ty enought for mainstream audiences who want to have fun. Maybe the trailers should have shown a bit more action because many people thought that the first Blade runner was boring and many didn't give a second chance to this one.

[@Tenebrousable]

They know how to make it sell, they do those movies all day every day, to earn the money to be able to do these works that they are actually proud about. It's been done for decades now. It's not that big of problem. Stupid fluff has always been made, and only the good will be rememberd. And then tought as, "rememeber when movies were good". No, they were always good or bad.

[@Film_Fan24]

I think some film journalist on Twitter said something along the lines of "it doesn't matter if the movie you loved flopped, it's still the movie you loved."

[@TheMusesOrg]

My concern is that the creators will miss out on funding for future projects.

[@krombopulos_michael]

It does matter though, because if a movie you like is a flop then it makes it much less likely that films like it will be made again.

[@DerMoerpler]

It does matter if I want Villeneuve to have his artistic freedom when he directs Dune

[@VideoCop]

Denis should still get his funding and freedom I think - Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival all made money - although their budgets were 30-50 mill as opposed to this 150 mill...

[@ParvulaUniversum]

It matters because now Denis won't get the budget he needs to make Dune properly.

[@Einchy1]

I think it's just as simple as general audiences just don't care too much about Blade Runner. The film is a modern day classic but at the end of the day it is a cult film that is beloved, and considered to be one of the best movies ever made, by mostly film nerds, everyone else just has no clue what a Blade Runner is. I'm glad this movie was made and I'm happy that the people who gave it a budget of $150 million did, even though it didn't pay off for them, at least they believed in the film and took a risk, which as a movie watcher, don't we hope more people take risks if we get beautiful and wonderful films like Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049?

[@whatshisname3304]

i agree, but they may well have made a better film with a lot less money. i know costs in films must be rising, but its amazing how expensive bladeruner 2 was considering the cost of the original. it all comes down to the director. i still prefer the first. money doth not maketh the film.

[@VeratechWebSolutionsAuckland]

So true, the first thing I thought of was how many people never lived to see this sequel. All the Blade Runner Scifi fans who passed away between 1982 - 2017. I felt fortunate, it's a beast of a film and compliments the first.

[@whatshisname3304]

perhaps they should nt make them . i think it had a lot to live up to. i think it gets caught in a hard place , trying to keep the standard , make money , and having its own identity, to be honest i admire his attempt but i think the fan base is nt the main stream , pity. What 28 million in todays money- anyway-150 million. umm

[@jacobmacdonagh4070]

Einchy Yeah from talking to a lot of people I know, I really don't think Blade Runner is that loved at all in the mainstream. It's only seen as a classic by film buffs and sci-fi lovers

[@hugodrax71]

+Einchy You're spot on. There's no mystery as to why the takings have been so modest - it's simply that Blade Runner has a limited following. It's not Star Wars or Star Trek. It's not and never has been sci-fi for the masses.

[@SCREENSTARS43]

Its poor showing in US cinemas says more about its audience there than anything, especially when you consider that the last Transformers movie made more money domestically than Blade Runner 2049. This film is an instant classic and will be watched and discussed by film fans for many decades. That is the true test of a film not how much it makes on opening weekends etc.

[@wratched]

And yet Villneuve's previous scifi film, Arrival, was a hit in the US.

[@Joseph-xq5dh]

wratched it was??? Well that's really strange, it has an all star cast but that's very strange

[@mmmallory33]

wratched it was also PG13 and pushed during awards season. It had more mass appeal.

[@voicesofww2]

Even though it has a higher rating among Americans on imdb?

[@NOLANISGODful]

This was most certainly not a classic, it was a disaster in every way

[@TheSt1092]

If we judged films solely on box office figures films like the Transformers Series and Jurassic World would be considered classics which they are not.

[@bargh70]

How you connect with the market is really important when your movie costs upwards of $150 million.

[@Coff1nf33der]

Important for the people who made it and maybe for the future of the market, but not important for people who just watch and judge a film on its own merits.

[@rva]

Stephen Taylor true

[@husbandryenvy433]

Jochen Schütz Pure short term thinking. I had my fun, feck the future. It was important that this film was a financial success for many obvious reasons. Been to a multiplex the last 6 or 7 years?

[@DR3ADER1]

A classic is defined as a product or device that is over 30-35 years old. So by 2038, the first Bay-directed Transformers would be considered a classic film whether you like it or not.

[@misomiso8228]

Max Landis has said that nobody in Holywood knows the rules any more. Films with great reviews are bombing, films based on toys are bombing; sometimes films based a true horror story make hundres of millions, sometimes a terrhble Superhero movie makes over a billion. The hollywood producers are starting to panic as they no longer can make good precitions of what is going to make money. So what they are falling back on is marketing. If the film is marketed well it seems like it will make money, where as indie pictures withnothing behind them will flop. BLaderunner 2049 had a bad marketing campaign. People I know under 25 didn't even know it was coming out.

[@remliqa]

No terrible Superhero movie have ever made over a billion.

[@remliqa]

+theweddingsinger1970 And BladeRunner 2049 had plenty of boobs.

[@krombopulos_michael]

Nobody cares when indie pictures flop because they don't cost that much anyway. The flops people care about are the ones that cost $100m+

[@Tuosma]

They listened to the film buffs who constantly complain about trailers showing too much and then in return marketing gave very few plot points away in the trailers, which then lead to a very uninspired and an unexciting marketing campaign. The problem with this method is that the film buffs are the minority and the general audience who see movies based on how exciting they are are the majority and if your marketing doesn't have a good hook, which 2049 didn't have, you're going to lose a big chunk of the potential audience.

[@supadave1979]

Kermode knows the rules. He's got his box office blueprint. Tom cruise - loads of money to the point were it becomes news worthy. Not a comedy

[@gazman9468]

I think the most important factor was by far marketing. Established fan base knew exactly what Blade Runner was and many knew Dennis Villeneuve from other projects and expected something at least half decent. Rest of the world hadn't a clue and the trailers were way to vague. They should have gone back to basics and cut a trailer explaining in simple terms the world and the premise to attract a new audience. I think the film's done really well based on the fact only Blade Runner fans went to see it!

[@DSQueenie]

That said it is important that great films like this make money because if they don't then similar film won't get made. Rumour is that Scott Pilgrim's poor profits killed a lot of interesting similar films.

[@DR3ADER1]

Scott Pilgrim was basically Twilight for boys anyway. One has to come to that conclusion.

[@AubinTheMagnus]

That's wrong and you should feel bad about that opinion.

[@damianthomas9592]

Twilight is Casablanca compared to Scott Pilgrim.

[@MMGWsceptic]

No more smug self-congratulatory films like Scott Pilgrim? Good!

[@DR3ADER1]

I watched Scott Pilgrim. It was boring noise. The comics never interested me either (just like most pseudo-shonen comics, as they're mostly style over substance and in a form of literature, that's a no-go for me). Also, I find it funny that you're quick to question my intellect, as well as accuse me of being a pseudo intellectual just because I didn't like something. Or more alternatively, I displayed zero interest in wasting time and money on something that's bound to disappoint me. It actually displays more ignorance on your part, rather than mine. Since you are incapable of defending something without spreading accusations about the person who makes a short disagreement about a film, rather than defend the film on the basis of its merits and premise.

[@arby456]

We should care about the box office because it is the only indicator on whether we'll see more films like this with the budget this had.

[@jamesbromfield9070]

It will stand the test of time

[@FabledGentleman]

I think so too.

[@TheDay500]

The idea that we consult our politics before we see a film is, I think, a very negative thing. I think art should supersede politics, not the other way around. I completely disagree with Kermode on that point.

[@enisylo]

I'm inclined to agree, and would in fact go further. If you're choosing what art to consume based on religio-political grounds you are doing yourself a great disservice and are, in my opinion, also doing a disservice to society at large.

[@egw6659]

Most people choose to see things in spite of their politics. I'm a feminist. I saw this and although I wouldn't disagree with the feminist critique completely, I don't wholesale agree with it either. I think the film was making a comment on commodification of sexuality more than objectification of women. That's just me personally though. I loved the film and think it's one of a kind. Not all feminists blog or tweet about films they hate. Alt right whingers need to remember that. (Not saying you are one Mr Mister).

[@damianthomas9592]

I'm a Masculist, I liked the film.

[@chrisbroadstock6753]

It's not politics to be put off a film that portrays its characters badly. Fetishised nudity and inconsequential violence when used to pump up excitement in a slow film, are bad film-making.

[@myopenmind527]

I’m glad they made it too. We should care because movies like this deserve to be made and studios should have the courage to make these great iconic movies. If they fail financially they simply won’t.

[@P-diddykong]

My OpenMind MICHAEL BAY HAS TO DIRECT THE SEQUEL FOR IT TO MAKE MONEY! WHY WON'T PEOPLE UNDERSTAND

[@myopenmind527]

DonDonConCon are you ConConning me DonDon?

[@MeerkatChris]

Just got back from my second time seeing it since release, and I absolutely adore it! It's a perfect sequel to a film I already consider a masterpiece in its own right. It just stuck with me over the course of the past week in ways only truly great films do. I just had to see it again. It's a beautiful piece of art. And not just in the visual sense, but through the tragic character arcs and unpredictable narrative. It totally takes science fiction and "chosen one" clichés and takes them in directions that feel not only fresh, but brutally honest. Even if it hasn't made that much money at the box office, it's definitely a film I'm going to be seeing more and more in the near future!

[@keithmartin1328]

omgitsMeerkatChris a good description of the film. It is like a work of art.

[@batteryleg3432]

Being an American I can say that most of the country isn't familiar with it or doesn't want to sit through a movie where you have think. Constantly the only movies that seem to make money is family animated movies, sequels of comic book movies or dumb popcorn movies. What bothers me most is because of that we will get less movies like blade runner and mad Max but instead will get iron Man 15 and fast and furious 27.

[@truemansparks]

2001 a space odyssey was mauled by the critics and initially did not do well at the box office now it is considered one of the most important films of the 20th century, I liked Blade runner 2049 glad they made it cerebral and not just another boring shoot em up.

[@ColpoRosso]

Never judge something by how succesfull it is. When entertainment and art are concerned, it makes no sense

[@casualsuede]

I agree with you man, let the bean counters worry about box office, I want to see art.

[@lewisleaker1605]

Rian Johnson - "judging a film purely on its box office figures is like judging a girl purely based on bra size"

[@FabledGentleman]

/me hides in a corner

[@Aceimus1066]

I'm also glad it exists. One of my favourite films ever now.

[@MrEllifant]

I think a big problem is the fact that the movie was marketed as the next big Sci-Fi Action Blockbuster when in reality (or what we perceive it to be) the action scenes of the trailer were the only ones in the movie. Don't get me wrong, I loved it but I can see people going in with wrong expectations or coming out of it disappointed. Would be interesting to see which demographic actually watched the movie.

[@DR3ADER1]

No, people don't WANT TO WATCH REMAKES ANYMORE! It's that simple. Don't look at demographics and marketing. The general public has now grown a brain and currently view most, if not all remakes as pure poison and cancer to the industry. Remember, last year's Ghostbusters remake failed to gross twice its budget (making it a Box Office Flop) despite the heavy marketing and advertising budget, I almost forgot to mention the drama too. Still flopped though. Which makes me, well, indifferent as Hollywood never learns from anything they do.

[@lazy_kalm]

This wasn't a remake though.

[@CountZero78]

Kropog, that's what happened to the first movie, trailer made out it was an action movie.

[@DR3ADER1]

The sequel was already written in book form in 1999!

[@mrkgman]

Always shocks me how few people I ask have actually even heard of blade runner

[@FabledGentleman]

It's just like this with many Stanley Kubrick films as well. Many people i know haven't even heard of Clockwork orange, and those that have and praise it and Kubrick alike, have never ever seen Paths of Glory and so on. Me myself, i'll be honest, i'm a huge movie buff, i have seen thousands of films. But i have never seen wizard of oz.

[@taliaprice1909]

Blade Runner 2049 was awesome. One of the best films of 2017

[@arby456]

I wonder whether Denis Villenueve will be given as much freedom when it comes to his Dune film.

[@linusfotograf]

He might get a smaller budget. I don't think anyone in the business is doubting his work.

[@randomguy6679]

one can only hope

[@jessica5497]

@@linusfotograf exactly. And that what happened. Blade Runner was maybe a box office flop but the critics and fans loved, like the 1st one.

[@troubadour723]

I love the original film; but when it comes to sequels and reboots, I tend to adhere to the mechanical police voice in the original: "Move on. Move on. Move on." Truly great works of art establish a precedent. They don't follow on it, no matter how well the technical achievement of the sequel may be.

[@Crispman_777]

The best films often don't do that well.

[@TheBenchmarkuk]

Right in every way. It wasn't aimed at the mass market or down rated for kids and it was all the better for it. I watched it on the day of release and noticed the cinema was half empty and felt a little sad, but also I remembered it flopped in 1982 as well and yet became a huge success in the 90s with the re-release of the directors cut (I had a VHS copy, remember those!) On a separate note, the film actually felt like it was missing 10-15 mins of sub stories at the end so fingers crossed a home release in 4K comes out with a directors cut... which may spark a huge amount of interest again. Interesting you mention Inception, as to me that was the last decent movie I watched in the past decade.

[@myopenmind527]

$150,000,000 in two weeks isn’t a flop. This is before it opens in China, Japan and South Korea 🇰🇷. This movie will make its money back and will go on to be one of the greatest sci-fi movies (for adults) of all time.

[@DR3ADER1]

Yeah, it only made back its budget in two weeks. In order for a film to make a profit, it must make back TWICE it's budget. 'And the numbers you've given me are international too, so I highly doubt that it will make $300 Million two weeks from now.

[@KadayiPolokov]

Why is two weeks important? There's no expiry date on profitability here. China & Japan are big markets for something like this and market interest is Europe has yet to drop off.

[@DR3ADER1]

Because once that time passes people usually stop caring. With the rare cases of Home Alone and the MCU, Home Alone especially as it remained in the box office until the middle of 1992. Also, I doubt that China or Japan's Box offices care about this film. Did you also know that the international market failed to reach the expected $100 Million gross and instead, only reached half that? So it's already failed in Europe and South America. I also got my numbers wrong, as now people are saying that BR: 2049 cost around $185 Million to make, so in order for it to REALLY break even, it needs to make back $370 Million. Which is impossible.

[@myopenmind527]

DR3D1 market research says they expect it to do well in both China, Japan and South Korea. I think ultimately this will become a classic and a movie that all other sci-fi movies are measured against. I also quite like that Americans don’t seem to get this movie.

[@DR3ADER1]

Just like they thought it would succeed in Europe? Oh dear. They're not going to care about it. 'And China only cares about films if they were made there most of the time.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Last night I saw this movie again... but in IMAX format... it was even more powerful on the IMAX screen with the superb audio reproduction... sadly tonight will be the last IMAX showing for it because something new moves into the theatre.

[@huamulan9279]

I could not agree more! I'm an idiot because I inexplicably put off seeing the movie till today, and I was completely mesmerized and shaken to the core. I'm just in awe...

[@fudgie6]

The problems with BR2049 are simply plot and pace. The original film in it's most basic form was a hunt film with existentialism sprinkled in for good measure. With this sequel we have a "voyage of discovery/search for truth" story. For the general audience it's just not enough. Had they taken direct inspiration from Philip K Dick (The Minority Report) where our protagonist starts off the hunter and then becomes the hunted and along the way finds answers/meaning to his existence then the general audience would have something to really connect to.

[@Kilaminjaro47]

Movie was great... Dont know why people ignored it... Just tells you the time we live in...

[@ilmostro749]

I'm a massive fan of the original BR, and I love 2049 - but they should have done a shorter theatrical cut, and saved the full fat version for BluRay release. The 1st hour was painfully slow going. Including myself, 8 people were watching the matinee showing. 3 people walked out after the first hour.

[@redlightmax]

+RavJ Yes, a two-hour cut for theaters and an extended cut for home viewing. Why they didn't do that is a mystery.

[@TheColossalBlanket]

What and miss the full experience of seeing probably the most visually beautiful film I've ever seen on a big screen? Screw that. Blu ray even on a 52 inch screen will not do this justice. It needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

[@ilmostro749]

I think I'd rather the film was commercially sucessful though. That way we might get a Blade Runner 3, or studios prepared to take risks. Otherwise look forward to endless Transformer sequels and CGI garbage.

[@Blurgleflargle]

Same reason the original flopped at the box office, only even more so. And Blade Runner may be a cult classic now, but outside of that it's always been more influential as a piece of audiovisual design history than loved as an actual film. Kinda like Joe Madueira's comic book Battle Chasers is by and large responsible for certain stylistic tropes in western fantasy-themed media (esp. video games) nowadays, but hardly anyone remembers the actual comic, or knows it even existed in the first place.

[@Icipher353]

Interestingly, Madueira's new game company has just released a new Battle Chasers video game that is meant to continue the story, and there is meant to be a new comic book that will complete the story coming soon as well.

[@Nikafett]

I viewed Bladerunner 2049 for the second time on Tuesday and the cinema was packed. Absolutely agree with you Mark, I am very happy this movie exists.

[@EclecticBlues]

I loved the original Bladerunner on first viewing (and still do) but I thought BR2049 was plodding and I found it hard to feel anything for the characters. The soundtrack is intrusive - it became a distraction very early on - as did the interior sets and lighting. The Jared Leto scenes are beyond parody. Add to that too many pregnant pauses in almost every scene and I was very aware of the obvious attempts at manipulating my emotions - it just didn't work. Sad because I really wanted to like this movie.

[@TheRhamiel]

It doesn't have enough runny, smashy, bangy for main stream audiences. You bring up inception, but that had a lot of shooting and fighting and DiCaprio as the lead actor

[@bennyjones1502]

TheRhamiel This is true.

[@russj8159]

Was the story fantastic? The visuals were! Take away the CGI what do you have? A good story sure! Is that enough?

[@russj8159]

TheRhamiel Arrival was great.. I was a bit let down with the story and run time

[@cineXplorers]

My thoughts exactly on your closing statement! We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience finding the runtime to not be a problem in the slightest. It was a strange one for me as I have a difficult time enjoying the first one, although it is a great cinematic film, I just find I lack a connection with it which I certainly found I had with the new one.

[@TheGoldSwordSquad]

The couple sitting next to me in the theatre left the cinema when there was about ten minutes left. I mean fair enough if you want to leave half way through because you're not enjoying it but they stayed for the whole movie and then just left right before the end

[@kdkseven]

It's absolutely brilliant. I couldn't be more thrilled at what a perfect follow-up it is to Blade Runner. Hopefully, it will live on as long and as loved as the original.

[@alexsnowden2355]

I was 13 when I first saw the original, and I loved it. The original was unbelievably good. Two years later and I’ve just been to see covenant (a day before i turned 15) and I thought “how could my weekend get any better.” Well, to put it short, Blade runner 2049 trailer #1 came out two hours after I saw covenant. This was 5 months ago, and I was hyped every day until 2049 came out. My point is that younger people are still interested. Although, saying this my dad was in his twenties when cinema was arguably at its finest (‘79-early nineties) so I’ve had a lot of influence through that. Overall I thought that it was brilliant, people said that it wouldn’t live up to the original, but it did. And I have to agree with mr kermode, it respects the original and gives it massive nods as to what an impact the original made throughout the film. It also does this whilst doing more in that it extends the legacy of the film, and proves that still in the 21st century that some people care about our future and question humanity. Give yourself an internet cookie if you’ve managed to read through this.

[@hpstarman]

Blade Runner 2049 is a immersive classic for an intellectual audience, hope there is a sequel !

[@lawsonconnell]

Mark, well said, well presented and well argued, The film to me was a great piece of film work, music score and left one with many haunting thoughts long after watching. I hope another will be made to continue the story and the unanswered subplots. Your review on BBC and here are smack on and I realise in this day and age of money, profit first, I hope it will not be another few decades before the Bladerunner Universe is once more brought to the screen and in our visual and cerebral thoughts.

[@BourbonISvegan]

Bladerunner taught us all one thing. It has an exceptional lifespan. It will still be making money 30 years from now when all the other October releases are long forgotten.

[@howardbabcom]

Mark's last comment is so right. This was the defining moment of cinema this year - simply wonderful stuff.

[@alexrodriguez9441]

Watched it a second time yesterday, a matinee at the Chinese theatre on Hollywood boulevard... It was the first time I have ever had a movie theatre all to my self. Got up and walked around during the orphanage scene, just because I could.

[@UnboxFlix]

Don’t forget all the things going on at the time, 3 devastating hurricanes, Las Vegas shooting, these events have a slight impact on what takes our attention.

[@sunnyzilla4]

Who cares about the box office??? As long as a good movie was made and exists it don't matter. People are too infatuated with the numbers. I agree 100% with Kermode

[@Superphilipp]

Rohan Prince if this type of movie is not successful, studios won't take this kind of risk again.

[@sunnyzilla4]

Superphilipp That is the movie going audience's fault. You speak with your dollars. People today just want to watch superhero movies. Studios are making good original, different content all the time but people ain't going to watch it. People complain about no originality but don't watch one when it comes out

[@theevokeruser2356]

Rohan Prince if it bombs then studios will continue to make safe and cookie cutter movies. This will lead to more bad movies being made. So yeah box office does matter because it determines whether or not we get more great movies like Blade Runner 2049. I wish it wasn't the case but profit is the groundwork for movies of course and determines movies nowadays.

[@sunnyzilla4]

Adrian Grinstead But audience's don't want good movies. People speak with their dollars and all they see these days are superhero movies. People say they want interesting, different, original stuff but when they come out people don't see them. There are many movies in the theatre that are different and original but people don't see them

[@Superphilipp]

Rohan Prince, >People speak with their dollars and all they see these days are superhero movies. >People say they want interesting, different, original stuff but when they come out people don't see them. These are different "people".

[@FroMarty]

People seem to be taking about the wish fulfilling hologram, as though this was meant to represent a healthy evolution of human interaction. Less seems to be said about the only unambiguously human character, who was the chief of police, the primary physical antagonist of the film, the leader of the revolution or the first born future of civilisation characters. I don't think the critiques are warranted in this film.

[@djashley2002]

Agreed - if anything it's a distopia that's clinging on for grim life.

[@fitprotunes]

Excellent points

[@tenaciousrodent6251]

Can you really say Joy was objectified if K loved her because she was the only character who didn't treat HIM as a disposable hunk of junk?

[@williambrookings722]

Saintly Pants Hit the nail on the head here. K himself was sexually objectified by the police chief as a replicant. Joy's identity as an AI was more important than her gender identity. I loved that part of the film and found it genuinely touching much like in the excellent Her.

[@TheColossalBlanket]

Will Bro Yes exactly. He was objectified. Our society, as it is now, is an objectifying one, sexually or otherwise, all genders experience it. Bladerunner pretty much shoves this fact in your face and the fact that a society that does that and takes it to extremes is not a particularly good thing. The fact these so called progressives who complain about Bladerunner miss that startlingly obvious point is staggering!

[@samanthathomas4959]

I think the run time is an issue, our local cinema is basic to say the least and I think sitting in a coffin would be more comfortable. This immediately put me off, sometimes I just want a 90-minute film. I’ll wait for the DVD and watch it at home, sadly!

[@KeithWilliams73]

I've been trying to do my bit for the box office figures. I've seen it four times so far in the cinema and plan to see it again before it finishes. I think it is a wonderful film, a truly worthy successor to the original and have been singing its praises to everybody I meet.

[@HermanFalckHow]

I live in Denmark and I have seen it 3 times. 2 opening weekend, and the 3rd 2 weeks later on a regular Thursday. All times the theaters were closed to packed, can't remember seeing a theater so packed 2 weeks in since Force Awakens. I am intrigued to see how it is going to do in China and Japan.

[@wiktorbudzinski7364]

Can someone explain to me what was so complex about this movie? Maybe i didnt get it, but it seemed quite straightforward

[@PirateZ1]

I try to explain it like this. Yes, the name is recognizable to a degree. But even it you have not seen the original, what people usually hear about it is something like "yeah its boring but its very critically successful." When the ratings were fantastic from critics as it was releasing, it connected with people that it was going to be "boring".

[@MANIAKRA]

I enjoy so much that you love this film! Wonderful to see someone championing the work and cutting through the financial noise to praise its quality. I too just care it exists.

[@zardozislove]

I wonder if we are also seeing the effect of all of these web articles that decried the film as a flop 2 days after it's release. There seems to be a whole industry based on pushing negative information on films. I'm specifically thinking of sites/channels such as Looper. I talked about the film with a friend of mine who hadn't seen it yet and the first words out of his mouth were "I hear it's a colossal flop".

[@tigermunky]

It's a great film. I made the mistake of catching the 23:15 showing after a 14 hour work day and really struggled to stay awake. I was grateful for the harsh music that would break me out of my dozing state. All the same, I need to watch it again because I'm sure I missed some parts.

[@natenbox64]

I do agree that not all of the US audiences really wanted to see BD2049. I can easily say that those who did saw it end up loving it anyway, especially when taking account on not only the amount of reviews that you can find here on YT, but also from CinemaScore as well.

[@TheMacdreamcatcher]

Well said, Mark. Totally agree with you.

[@mediacopycatkillers]

To those saying "because this film is too smart for some", that implies that people saw the film. But the question is "why didn't more people go to see the film?" Blade Runner simply does not have mass appeal.

[@DR3ADER1]

The actual question is: "How did people fail to find anything appealing to justify watching this movie?" 'And my answer is: "People don't like remakes anymore". Remember, there has already been a sequel to Blade Runner that was written in 1999. 'And the baggy and poor writing put paid to anyone making a sound argument in favour of watching this film.

[@T1H8F8C2]

I think the point made in this piece almost as a throwaway remark is significant, the film has a very long running time. Ergo, it has fewer showings per day than a lot of mainstream movies. If you have full houses of 250 or so people each paying £10-15 for their tickets but can only have three screenings a day as opposed to a shorter movie that plays four times a day, it stands to reason that the best you can do is 80% of what the rival movie takes.

[@meb1982]

I saw Blade Runner 2049 in the the theatre. Unfortunately I couldn't see it till the second weekend because of weather conditions. On my first viewing I liked it but was a little disappointed, I find myself wanting to see it again. I will purchase it when it is available for home viewing.

[@Friar01]

This is in my top 3 films, a truly outstanding piece of work.

[@ngonzale3]

I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you! I loved this film!

[@alfredthegreat9543]

This is my take. I was really looking forward to it but when I saw the running time I thought oh, I'd rather wait and get it on Blu-ray and watch it on my set up at home where I can take a break whenever I like. Big screen TV and move the sofa forward and it's just like the cinema but a better quality picture. That's basically my reason for not going to watch it and I think I may not be alone, I will bet that Blu-ray sales will be very high.

[@STARSTyranT]

Well said Mark. Don't know if you will ever see this, but damn. Well said. Thank you for being a sensiible voice in a currently, horrible landscape.

[@beefsuprem0241]

Just watched the blueray for the 4th time the other day. This was only at the cinema near me for a week and I didn't have the time to see it. I think it's a brilliant film, and would love to see more of that universe.

[@ukmidnighter]

One thing you missed was the invention of Netflix and streaming services. I'd love to go to the cinema but haven't the time with a newborn. However, I'm more relaxed about missing films at the cinema because I know I'll be able to watch them in the comfort of my home eventually. I know I will be relaxed with timings that suit me to start the film. That's also a lot of peoples thinking that I know.

[@leopardbasement2915]

Yeah, I'm still conflicted. I saw original BR at the cinema when I was very young and I was not captivated - I heard it was going to be a sci-fi noir and I thought I was going to get something witty like The Big Sleep with space ships, but it clearly wasn't. So it took me 5 years to one day realise I was wearing out a tape off the TV version to know I had become obsessed. When I saw BR 2049 I couldn't fault it for it's production and faithfulness to the BR story but eerily my feeling of detachment was similar to what I felt to when I first saw it 35 years ago. Mark touches on some things that could explain the lack of box office in the US the length etc and also the fact the familiarity isn't likely with anyone under 30. Looking at the scenes from the orphanage in this review (they were quite parsimonious before in the lead up but seem to be freer now ) I am reminded again of aspects of the story I had forgot (so soon) and now I think the depth of the story certainly seems actually deeper and more self consciously continuous than the original. Perhaps I will be obsessed with 2049 soon. I think they did something good

[@loonylunya]

Thank you so much for this video Mr Kermode. I think perhaps a big problem might be people went to see 2049 without seeing the first Blade Runner. 2049 would probably be very difficult an unengaging to follow if you haven't seen the first Blade Runner... I thought this film was 10/10 and I look forward to buying the Blu-Ray.

[@Sol3UK]

"You know what, I don't actually care how much money it takes, I'm just kinda glad it exists" . My thoughts exactly.

[@txmoney]

I believe it was the runtime that intimidated and discouraged the average movie goer from attending. When people can't be without their phones for any length of time, a three-hour film is a frightening proposition. Sad. I had to cajole and plan for weeks to get a friend to drive into Manhattan (the nearest location to view the film in glorious true IMAX). But after watching this incredible work of art we both recognized that it was worth the time and expense.

[@ryanlovelock3024]

"I don't care how much money it makes, I'm just glad it exists." Amen brother, well said. Everyone involved will be just fine moving forward if this movie doesn't earn a profit for the distributors.

[@equalizer1963]

Just got back from the cinema. All 3 of us loved it. We all thought it good enough to carry the earlier patient slow pacing. Loved the ending too, not as great as the Roy Batty chase and speech but still very good.

[@lukepalmer4200]

I think a lot of people won’t have been to see it based on the fact it’s a sequel and haven’t seen the first. However I think a 4 minute plot summary video of the original on KZbin would give you all you need to know; it’s much more it’s own film than a continuation of a story in my opinion.

[@jonhalliday7806]

The box office receipts are examples of why we can't have nice things. It's wonderful.

[@MinscBG]

I think Blade Runner 2049 has a good chance of bringing in the revenue, covering the budget and making a profit in the long term even if it's not performing that well in the short-term which is to mean the time around release. It is long, artistic and not exactly mainstream which makes it risky for it to be an instant hit but what it has is quality and longevity which means people will spread the word that it's good and will want to watch it again because it's that good.

[@calumyoung97]

I think another reason why it's not doing incredibly well at the box office is because it's not a sequal people were begging for. But as Kermode said; I'm glad it exists.

[@youwish1135]

It was incredible. So much better than I hoped for.

[@crazychameleon123]

I think people were put off because most people haven’t seen the original which would make the film quite confusing and not be used to the slow pace.

[@Simonize41]

I thoroughly enjoyed BR2049, and I got the story, but I agree with what seems to be the main (bad) point: it’s a good 15-20 minutes too long. Despite this I agree with Mark - I’m happy as punch that it was made.

[@emgee44]

I agree with Mark, I’m just glad they made it, that it exists and I was able to watch it. And will I be buying the Blue-ray when it comes out? Oh yes!

[@jaydy71]

Maybe a problem of the movie is that it depends on people being very much in sync with the ideas and sensibilities of a 35 year old movie that flopped in the cinema. Blade Runner was sort of an art house movie with big ideas and a big budget. BR2049 is that too, but with a much bigger budget. As a total geek of the 1st Blade Runner movie, I adore BR2049, but I can understand why it's not this runaway success in terms of box office gains. I totally agree with Kermode by being very glad that it exists.

[@TheMetalslave92]

Finally, Someone is making sense out of all this negativity on such a fantastic film. Thank you.

[@willjd1170]

i watched the film the day it came out with my mate then watched it 2 more times i loved it. i hope to see it once more before it leaves the cinema as it truly a cinematic experience not to be missed. i do hope that it makes it money back on DVD and blu ray releases and word of mouth for people to rent it!

[@supergangsterish1234]

bladerunner 2049 is sublime, the fact that the editing pace is slower than modern movies is one of the reasons i love it so much

[@PrivateCustard]

This movie will become legendary. If it fails financially, it's not a problem. In fact, it's probably better that way, we won't have to suffer a half-arsed follow up film in a couple of years. Leave it as a standalone masterpiece, I'm fine with that.

[@luckyday8522]

Lack of brand recognition, running time, dourness making it difficult to recommend to casual moviegoers, deliberate pacing, this is why 2049 underperformed. I do wish it had done better so that similar projects will get the greenlight; I did my part with 3 Imax showings so what are ya gonna do. I can't really fault folks for not rushing out, not everyone is a lover of fine cinema. Just grateful to have a gem added to my all-time top ten list, can't wait for Dune!

[@jamieobrien7754]

Valid points Mr Kermode, I loved the movie all round.

[@euanlaughlin9503]

Don't care how it sold as a product, I am just so thankful that it stands up so well against the original. It is a true piece of art, that deserves to stand alongside all the great films of the past. Frankly, I couldn't believe what I was seeing and my 18 year old son felt the same. I still shudder when it comes to mind, and find it hard to find words to describe it to anyone who asks.

[@c1v1lwar24]

What I liked about Inception was that it has loads of shooting, and explosions in it. I could also say to my friends "Woah, these effects am I right? This is really trippy". The plot was just stupid. I haven't seen Blade Runner 2049 because it looks boring, with hardly any fighting or cities getting blowed up despite being a sci-fi film. I went to see IT instead. #ClownDrain

[@RichardBown]

I think a lot of it as well is down to 'trailer culture' - that so much of a movies plot is given away in the trailers, cinema goers almost want to know what it is they are going to see. With bladerunner, the plot and characters (rightly in my opinion) were kept secret, this didn't translate well into publicity. On a press junket, if asked 'what is the movie about' or 'so tell me about your character' the actors were not able to do so.

[@wellingtonboobs7985]

Blade Runner 2049 is a perfect film. It almost galls me to not be able to find anything wrong with it on any level. It is however useful to know that if someone didn't enjoy it or walked out (as three people did) I can start from that social ledge if ever my corner of the bar is darkened by their drunked friendliness. It will go down as another timeless art piece, no doubt. _Dark City_ territory.

[@nrgspike]

I almost didn't go to see it, not for any of the reasons Mark stated but because I believed that Blade Runner just didn't need a sequel; certain, that in making one, they'd surely have to address the ambiguity central to the originals ending. - Much like as lovely as Before Sunset is, it's existence ruins what was special about the end of Before Sunrise. Given 'Hollywoods' less than stellar recent history with unnecessary sequels, reboots, soft-reboots etc. coupled with Ridley Scott's involvement and his continued insistence over Deckard's nature - I didn't want to risk tarnishing my future enjoyment of the original with knowledge of the plot of a sequel that coudn't hope to live up to it... Thankfully, those fears were misplaced. In fact it was the clip you showed of Denis and Ridley disagreeing over Deckard that gave me the confidence to see 2049. Personally, it's a more than worthy successor. Yes there's some plot holes and the score is serviceable but generic, (would love to hear what Johann Johannsson had wrote before his removal) but it's still head and shoulders above anything else I've seen this year.

[@AlexaExtraordinaire]

As much as I loved and thoroughly enjoyed BR49 I will not see it again. I just don't have the patience to sit through it ,weirdly enough and that's a problem. I saw Mad Max Fury Road three times in the cinema and countless of times on Bluray, the same with Gravity, but BR2049 simply doesn't hold up for repeated viewings despite being a brilliant film.

[@holmbjerg]

The reason why it matters what movies make, is that profits determine what gets made in the future. I will watch 2049 a few more times in the hope, that similar movies will get made in the future.

[@dcanmore]

The fan base of Blade Runner is not as big as some thought it was, it is lauded in sci-fi circles but not necessarily by the Marvel/DC crowd of under-30s, it always has been a cult movie from the 80s. Most millennials I know of have never watched BR with the movie being seen as too old to care about, recuts and re-releases were really for existing fans. Quite simply, grown-up sci-fi is a hard sell these days.

[@TheIrishGamerGuy]

Marketing for Blade Runner sucked in Ireland (saw it everywhere on billboards in Dublin City but no where else). Honestly would not have known it was out had I not seen the ads around Dublin.

[@TheSt1092]

The world of Blade Runner is too cerebral for mass American audiences.

[@halloweenfriday]

Stephen Taylor as an American, I agree.

[@DR3ADER1]

False, the world is based on the works of an AMERICAN writer, one Philip K Dick. So that's not the answer. Using Occam's Razor, it's actually the fact that people are now starting to avoid remakes. As a lot of them recently are not that good. Hell, last year's Ghostbusters remake was and still is considered a flop as it failed to make back twice its budget (Budget: $144 Million, Box Office: $229.1 Million [International]). Hell, in terms of TV alone, the only remakes that are doing well both critically and publicly are Twin Peaks, Fargo, Robot Wars and The Powerpuff Girls. That's four programmes on the top of my head and that's it. The acceptable number for me is ten.

[@mediacopycatkillers]

Crass generalisation. There are smart, average and duh people in every country in the world and different derivations of what that even means. Travel more.

[@TheSt1092]

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[@TheSt1092]

Of course there are people in America who intelligent but I think American moviegoers prefer spoon-feeding . That's obvious when you look at the US Box Office.

[@Gavrev]

Judging any film on how much money it takes says more about us than any Bladerunner movie does.. Great film. Enjoyed it mightily.