Better than the original, which is bizarrely overrated by so many - the well-designed, oppressive atmosphere does little to mitigate the turgid themes and dull main storyline. If anything, the sequel actually makes the original a little more interesting in retrospect by pretending like the original plot actually mattered in some way. 2049 has some wonderful sequences and some moments where its deliberate rhythm works, but the languid pacing becomes self-conscious at times, mistaking time with weight (e.g., the "threesome scene" is brilliantly conceived, but goes on way, way, way too long; both Leto scenes stop the film cold). Towards the end, the plot starts to shake itself apart, but up until then, it is a much more successful attempt at atmosphericism than its forebear.