From what I'm hearing around me and on Facebook, people are either completely blown away, or simply think it's a boring movie.
The 'boring' comments seem to come mostly from the 18-25 demographic. These people saw the trailer (which makes it seem like an action sci-fi), fail to get into the atmosphere and the philosophical questions at hand (or simply don't care) and therefore have a hard time sitting through the massive 2 hours and 43 minutes of this film. It makes total sense and I couldn't blame them. This movie is not for everyone. I still find it unreal that this sequel to a cultmovie stays so true to the pacing of the original, while having such a big Hollywood budget.
Whereas for me, the slow pacing, long running time and sparse action (but intense when it does occur!) are exactly reasons why I adore this movie. In line with the original, the world-building cinematography and atmospheric score draw me in like few other films do. It's exactly why I love movies like Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey or even Interstellar. Stuff that's atmospheric, marvellous to look at and has the power to really make you think. Hell, I'd be fine if it went on for 3+ hours.
I was asking myself: Do I think Blade Runner 2049 is as good as the original? I cannot give a definitive answer, which for me is a testament to how good this film really is. Blade Runner is my personal favorite movie of all time. By all odds, this sequel should've been a let down for me, but it isn't. It's exactly the dreamed-of sequel Blade Runner fans wanted. And maybe that's exactly the reason why critics - which critic doesn't at least like or respect Blade Runner - love it, and the general public seems to be indifferent to it.