'Blade Runner: Blackout 2022' Is Greater Than an Appetizer for 'Blade Runner 2049'

As lead for Blade Runner 2049, the sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi cult classic Blade Runner, director Denis Villeneuve had some friends – artists he respects, according to his own words – make three short films that would show some key events that took place between the years 2019, the time of the first movie, and 2049, the time of the sequel.  Now, I don’t do reviews for short films – the only time I remember doing so is for Kung Fury – but the third one of these Blade Runner 2049 prequels is pretty special that it really deserves to be covered.

Blade Runner: Blackout 2022 is significantly different from the first two prequels.  First, it’s set closer to the original movie than the sequel.  Second, it’s about 15 minutes long, thrice as long as either of the first two.  Third, it’s done in anime instead of live-action.  And, fourth, it’s not helmed by Luke Scott, but by the legendary Shinichirō Watanabe, who directed anime masterpieces Cowboy Bebop and Kids on the Slope, as well as amazing anime series Terror in Resonance and Samurai Champloo (for the record, I adore all four).  Knowing this, I was anticipating for the short to be good.  But I was nonetheless blown away by how fantastic it is.

Set in 2022 Los Angeles, as angry human mobs make use of the Replicant Registration database to identify and kill Replicants (i.e. the androids in the Blade Runner world), it’s about the so-called “blackout” that had been mentioned in passing in the trailer.  It follows two Replicants who are part of a coordinated attack that aim to destroy all records on Replicants, which will allow their kind to live in anonymity among humans.

The plot is straightforward, which is to be expected, since it only has a short runtime.  It also has some tinges of clichés, and there were some themes and moments here and there that reminded me of Armitage and The Animatrix.  However, its chic editing and philosophical dialogue – this is Blade Runner after all – make the narrative appear more sophisticated than it is without feeling pretentious.

But the best thing about this anime short film is the stunning visuals.  Those familiar with Watanabe’s works recognize that there’s always a sense of rhythm and purposeful stylishness to whatever he puts on screen, and that’s also the case here.  Characters, especially Trixie, move in mesmerizing motions; the cityscapes are gloriously exuberant, a la Ghost in the Shell; and every vibrant, detailed shot wonderfully sets or reflects the intended mood.  In addition, while the gorgeous animation renders all these, apt sound design accompanies it superbly.

The buzz for Blade Runner 2049, set for theaters next week (as of writing), is very optimistic; I can’t wait to see it.  But beyond being an “appetizer” for that movie, Blade Runner: Blackout 2022 by itself is already a filling, tremendous treat.

In fact, I’ll be actually fine with trading 2049 for a Blackout 2022 anime series.