There’s a scene or two in Denis Villeneuve’s library of films where I think to myself “am I watching one of the greatest movies ever made?” Dune: Part 2 goes above and beyond and has countless moments that evoke that thought—the opening fight against an eclipse, the introduction of Feyd-Rautha in the Harkonnen arena, the war council scene, Paul’s first sandworm ride, and many more grand and intimate moments that capture the essence of what made Frank Herbert’s novel so epic. This felt like a masterclass both on the technical level and with the storytelling. It was nothing short of Denis harnessing every tool in his directorial arsenal and putting it on full display.
 
This movie also did something I thought could never be done in a modern studio release, and that’s come close to echoing the greatness of Lawrence of Arabia. Intentional or not, there are many narrative choices in Dune that overlap with the story of E.L. Lawrence. But more important than the story itself in David Lean’s epic is the way in which it’s told—through epic cinematography that captures the power of the narrative even if no words are exchanged in some moments, all while being accompanied by a brilliant score. Both movies make you feel the power of the desert and the weight of the decisions each character grapples with. Both feel like the worlds are not just on a screen but rather that the viewer is placed directly in them. And most importantly, both movies inspire a feeling of cinematic awe and wonderment on a level that so few movies can.
 
After my first viewing, I noted that it would be a long time before Hollywood had another achievement like this one. Perhaps it was bold and reactionary, but I still stand by that statement after a second watch. This feels like a movie that will be ed as a once-in-a-generation sci-fic epic in the realm of Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. I could wax poetic about Dune: Part 2 forever, but there’s no fun in that for anyone. This is a one-of-a-kind movie that needs to be felt and experienced on the biggest of screens.