100/100

"Who will our next oppressors be?"

Denis Villeneuve is becoming one of my favorite directors working today, because of the deep, ionate reverence he possesses for science fiction. What he accomplishes here is staggering, poignant, epic, and nothing short of his finest work. His commitment to delivering one of the most gripping experiences here shows. The journey of Paul Atredies and his duality with his position as a false messiah is palpable and bleak, depiction his corruption in such a way that feels inevitable and tragic--this is an improvement upon the predecessor in that we're allowed to witness the evolutions of these characters, something Part One cleared the way for in of plot so that the story here may flow organically.

As for the story itself, it's incredible, mate. If there was anything holding these actors back in the first part, it's gone completely as the material here is significantly stronger--Paul's duality, Jessica's corruption, the Baron's confrontation with his dying empire, it's all great. Denis treats the story with the respect it deserves. There is no catharsis from the victory of Mu'Diab, only regret. Dune explores the perils and pitfalls of blind discipleship, the implications of leveraging conflict for self-interest, the exploitation of religion, and the perpetual conflict of humanity and comion's dynamic with power and potential. It explores this eloquently and displays it majestically.

I do believe, though, that this would be a stronger told story provided Denis just combined the two parts and released the thing in full. So much of narrative and craftsmanship is deeply intertwined from the first, from the displays of parallel imagery, to the juxtaposition of Leto's rule to Paul's, to Chani's opening monologue, tying together the underlying themes. It would let the story unfold the way it naturally should, and would present it as one monumentous epic. I do understand, however, that Denis has to deal with the current cultural conventions and that this is the easier option for audiences and he handled it best he could.

Regardless, though, Dune: Part Two is not only Denis' finest, it is science fiction's finest. It is one of the greatest stories I have witnessed in the big screen and an experience I treasure and cherish.