@static - I read positive reviews of the 3D conversion on the same forum. I think I will try to watch it the second time that way. I am guessing certain elements "popped" quite nicely.
A bit shell shocked right now from the experience, and have just now read all your comments as I skipped them to avoid any spoilers. I think that @ScoJo sums it up well:
ScoJo wrote:Liked it a lot. Very slow, deliberate and an intense sensory experience. Cast were excellent. Villeneuve should be praised for making it his own, different in many ways from the original yet clearly from same DNA. It felt like this was the bright day after to Ridley's dark night.
I also agree with @Mateo that I felt "led by the nose" a bit too much in parts. Overall though, it was a feast for the senses and a
joi to watch. 2049 felt real and dirty, and I think that was the most important thing to me. I remember some comments regarding the trailer that it all might be too "clean", but I feel they did a good job in that regard. The post-climate change (?) weather, various filth and junk, odd tech, and general disarray was very interesting, and I liked seeing all the different near-future locales, some of which were almost humorous living here on the left coast.
The Dolby Atmos mix in the IMAX theater was set to a perfect level, so those huge groaning synths had me jazzed rather than experiencing pain or discomfort. The film needs another viewing for sure, and also some standalone listens to the score before I will comment further on the music.