Denis Villeneuve completes his full adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel here with Dune Part Two. And you guys know this is one I’ve been highly looking forward to. In fact, this movie has been my most anticipated release for the past two years as unfortunately this movie saw a 5 month delay due to the extended SAG actors strike. I love the first film, and Villeneuve is one of the best directors in the business right now. And go ahead and accuse me of recency bias all you want. I know when we just see something great for the first time our natural inclination is to be over the top and exaggerate our opinions. All I can tell you is how this movie made me feel. And here it is. Dune as a complete project, that means Parts 1 and 2 as a complete adaptation is one of the greatest achievements in science fiction filmmaking ever. Specifically Dune Part Two is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time, a true reminder of the power and magic of the movies. No one other than possibly Christopher Nolan is making movies with this level of technical brilliance and on this scale besides Denis who cements himself with this movie as one of the 5 greatest sci fi directors possibly ever? Between these Dune movies, Arrival, and Blade runner 2049 this isn’t a debate anymore.

It is truly a surreal thing, to be in a theater with nearly 400 people and experience something that you know while you're watching is special. Everyone in the theater I was with tonight was sitting attentively, barely moving other than to use the bathroom, quiet and sort of stunned by the sheer scale of this epic movie. I sort of had an out of body experience. It’s been a long time since the credits have rolled on a movie and I sort of sat in a stunned silence taking in the full weight of what I witnessed. My mind instantly went back to when I saw the Dark Knight for the time and how that movie absolutely blew me and my imagination away. And I get it, the word masterpiece in my opinion is overused to the point that it feels like everytime someone uses it it loses a little meaning. I don’t think that’s the case here. Dune Part Two feels like a masterpiece. A true benchmark and special in virtually every way. The new standard for science fiction film making. 

I instantly go to Greig Fraser and the cinematography. Guys, there’s shots in this movie that took my breath away. There’s a couple times where I had to audibly gasp at some of the imagery on display. All I could think of was wow! Dune Part 2 is one of the most gorgeous movies I’ve ever seen. And because Part One did all the heavy lifting of setting up the story, Part 2 is able to fully flesh out the world of Dune from the technology, different worlds, and cultures. There’s a lot more action in this film compared to its predecessor and the visuals and battle scenes are some of the coolest shit you will ever see on the big screen. And forgive me, I know it’s a bit film snobbish at this point to say “See this movie on the biggest screen possible!”. I’m telling you right now, if you guys don’t see this movie in IMAX which is how it was intended, you're doing yourself a disservice. I can’t imagine a world in which Fraser does not end up with an Academy Award for his efforts on this movie. I saw a reviewer say that movies should market themselves as shot by Greig Fraser and I guess I agree with that sentiment. Between the Two Dunes and The Batman other than Roger Deakins there isn’t a guy I will be more looking forward to seeing shooting movies going forward. But Fraser isn’t the only standout. The visual effects are as equally impressive as some of the camera work. The scale is upped this time around and the sheer weight of these battle sequences, many of which include The Fremen riding out on Sandworms, are bonkers and in my opinion will blow people away. But it isn’t just the battles that are impressive, just as impressive are some of the hand to hand combat encounters which are fast moving and thankfully well done in a way where it feels like the stars commit to doing a lot of the choreography. Also fantastic is the provocative score from Hans Zimmer. Zimmer brings back many of the fantastic themes of his Oscar winning score from the first film and adds beautiful new themes to this as well including a tender new note which is the love theme for Paul and Chani. When not to use music is a strength of this movie as well. There’s a specific sequence in which music isn’t used and it’s all the better for it. You’ll know what I mean when you see it. And this is a credit to the sound. Much like the first film, Part Two opens with a distinct sound which is just the first in a series of mesmerizing and distinct noises you will hear throughout the film. Whether it’s the explosions, spice flowing off the sand, or a ship coming into orbit the sound of Dune should be commended too and makes the film that more immersive. 

Dune Part Two essentially picks up some days after the events of the first film. Paul and Jessica have been accepted in the Fremen after Paul’s duel with Jamis. The mother and son quickly go on to different paths. Paul befriends Chani and learns the ways of the Fremen including riding the largest Sandworms. While Lady Jessica becomes the Reverend Mother and begins to spread the word of Paul and the prophecy of Lisan Al Gaib. That is the prophetic leader who shall liberate Arrakis and its people. Some in the Fremen believe in Paul while others think the Prophecy is false. As revenge for destroying his house, Paul rallies The Fremen and begins to disrupt Spice Harvesting on Arrakis by using the cover of the sand as an advantage to the point that it captures the eye of Baron Vladomir Harkonnen. The Baron sends his ruthless nephew Feyd Rautha to take over for his brother and cleanse the planet of this threat that has been dubbed “Muab Dib”. This will lead to an ultimate confrontation between The Fremen, Harknonens, and The Emperor himself as the war for Arrakis begins. And Dune Part One walked so Part Two can run. If you thought the political sneakiness of the first film was something, wait until you see this entry. Everyone in this movie it feels like has a part to play or their own agenda to see through. Part Two feels like one gigantic chess game. Moves and counter moves. Some seen in the open, others behind closed doors done in the dark. How all these different characters come together and make a cohesive story is truly awe inspiring. This is about as compelling a blockbuster as you’ll find. There isn’t a single member of this wildly impressive cast that is wasted big or small role. 

Everyone has a standout moment. The ones who really caught my eye were Florence Pugh and Lea Seydoux. Both of these talented ladies have small roles, (In Pugh’s case think Chani from the first film. It’s clear if there's a third film her part in this will grow.) but every scene they’re in plays an important part of the story. Christopher Walken’s screen time is short too but I hung on to basically everything this guy said as The Emperor. It didn’t seem like a natural role for Walken, now I can’t imagine the movie without him. The true standout of the new cast though is Austin Butler. It takes a while for Feyd Rautha to show up in this movie but when he does the film gets notched up the tenth degree. He’s nothing short of electrifying. And sort of channels his inner Heath Ledger with this psychotic Joker like performance. He steals every scene he’s in with his introduction being one of the highlights of this epic movie. As for the returning cast, Rebecca Ferguson once again kills it as Jessica. Her character goes in a way that’s fascinating to me. There’s a pretty significant shift in her character’s  behavior and the grimy game the Bene Gesserit play Ferguson nails to a tee. Javier Bardem’s Stilgar is awesome. He uses his much larger role in this film to provide a lot of levity to the movie. And yes while this movie is heavy and dark, most of the attempts to break the action with levity work and usually come from him. But then we get to Zendaya, and Chani’s role in this story is vastly changed from the books. But this is an example of excellent adaptation. The changes to her make her a far more interesting character than she was in the book or even previous incarnations. I also love the relationship she builds with Paul over the course of the first act or so. This change in Chani’s character truly fulfills Herbert’s original vision of making Paul seem like an anti hero. Dune is meant to be a cautionary tale of the power of messianic figures, and it’s Chani and Zendaya’s performance that really spotlights this. It felt very honest and heartfelt. As for Paul. Timothee Chalamet once again proves why he’s one of the most versatile actors with his role as Paul here. He does things in this movie I didn’t know he had in him. There’s a way he commands the screen particularly in the last hour or so of this movie where his performance really stunned me.

The final 30-40 minutes of Dune Part Two is about as epic as you can get. For a movie that clocks in at a whopping 2 hours and 45 minutes there wasn’t a single moment I checked my watch. Not a single moment when I was hoping the adventure would end. From start to finish I was locked into this world and all the dangerous politics at play. It’s rare for you to put such massive expectations on a movie and for it to live up in virtually every way but it did. I truly am having trouble finding the words to describe just how good I think this movie is. I hope film fans check this movie out. Much like Part 2, it seems that a Part 3 is predicated on how successful this film winds up being. While there is a finality to Part 2 and Paul’s story…There is absolutely room for a 3rd entry especially given some of the surprises the movie has to offer. Villeneuve has long talked about wanting to adapt Dune: Messiah as a third film. Put it like this, if Villeneuve is able to make a 3rd film and it’s of the same quality as these first two entries, we are then talking about one of the greatest film trilogies ever yall. A true rival to The Lord of Rings for modern audiences. Dune Part Two is that good. I can’t stop thinking about how this journey starts and the first frame of Part one, to where we end up and Part 2’s haunting final image. This is blockbuster filmmaking on a level that comes only once every few years. In an already illustrious career this might be Denis’ finest work.

With guys like Spielberg, Scorsese, and Tarantino on the tail end of their careers I keep wondering who are gonna be the next crop of directors who will be considered the masters like the guys I mentioned. Nolan for sure, but considering his latest run of movies, you can add Denis Villeneuve to the list of master directors as well. There's no one making better sci fi movies than this guy. Simply one of the best theatrical experiences I've had in years. I already can’t wait to check this film out again on the biggest screen possible and return to Arrakis.

Dune Part One Review: boxd.it/5S5eH5