Viewing #2. This time, in a Dolby Theater.

This review is going to be spoiler filled so be warned if you have not seen Dune: Part 2, yet.

I absolutely love this film. From start to finish I found myself in awe of it all. I’ve promised myself that I’m going to go see this movie in every single format available to me. So far I’ve been able to see it in a normal theater and in a Dolby theater. The experience of seeing this in Dolby, especially when I knew what was coming, was breathtaking. I’m getting chills thinking about it now. I can’t help but feel so lucky to experience this world that Denis has brought to life with the help of the entire cast and crew.

I want to start this off with the end of the film. After Paul has fully accepted his role as Lisan Al Gaib, defeated Feyd and has declared war on the great houses. As the movie ends we see Chani leave in defiance of Paul’s rise to power. She’s lost everything. Her family has pledged their allegiance to Paul and will gladly give their lives in service of their Messiah. When we see the shot of Chani walking over the Dune and Hans Zimmer’s score started to play, I cried.

You feel every ounce of that loneliness that she’s feeling. Above her are now her once family, in the emperors transport vehicles and that felt super powerful. She’s in the same place that Paul was in Part 1. No family left for her. It left me shattered but hopeful. Hopeful that her story is the focus of the next film.

I fully believe that the vision Paul had in Part 1 about getting killed by Chani is going to happen in the next installment and the weight of that scene, even now, is killing me. Throughout the entirety of Part 2 we see Chani do her best to help Paul, even when she felt like it was against her better judgment. Even after his slow rise to power you could sense that she was hoping that their love would prevail above all else. And it didn’t. It becomes even more heartbreaking when you realize that Fremen women wear blue when they are in love, as a symbol. There are so many little details scattered throughout this film just like that. It makes repeat viewings essential.

Moving onto performances, I think we all know who stole the show. Mr Austin Butler! His Feyd-Rautha was a character for the ages. I know there are going to be Feyd deniers out there and for God knows what reason there are going to be people who try to minimize the work and effort Austin put into this role but I’m here to tell you it is an incredible performance. When he is first introduced and we see him go into that pit, it’s exhilarating. The strong bass behind him chanting his name to the crowd “Feyyyyyd” it felt like his personal war drum. Through that pit fight alone you found out everything you needed to know about that character and there was barely any dialogue from him.

He showed that he’s a psychopath (clearly) but he’s a man of honor. He’s more ruthless than any Harkonnen we’ve seen thus far. There’s a scene involving a Fremen soldier, Feyd and a flamethrower. He says in response to a line, “I know everything I already need to know. Only pleasure remains.” And he sets this woman on fire. It’s bone chilling.

It harkens back to what Gurney said in the first film, “You’ve never met Harkonnens before. I have. They are not human. They’re brutal!”. My only wish is that we had gotten more of his character but even then that’s just a nitpick. 

Timothy’s performance was just as impressive if not more so. He’s entire demeanor as he goes from reluctant prophet to the Lisan Al Gaib, it’s night and day. I thought him and Javier Bardem's Stilgar worked so well in tandem together, it was such a joy to watch their relationship develop on screen. Perfect casting in all instances, I can’t imagine anyone else in these characters shoes.

Last but certainly not least is the visuals. Greg Fraser is a master. This film has to be in my top 5 most beautifully shot movies of all time. The black and white to the color, it’s all a sight to behold. There are too many shots in here that I absolutely love so I’ll just pick a couple and touch on those for a second. The shot of Chani at the end, breathing as she’s in a state of distress, breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

Also the shot that we’ve all seen in the trailer, the 3 worms attacking the emperors troops, it’s so beautiful. Especially when you see it in Dolby vision. The colors and picture were so clear and crisp. I don’t say this often but I honestly felt like I was transported into the film. That’s the power of the cinematic experience. I love it.

I know I didn’t touch on score but it's Hans Zimmer, of course it’s going to be a banger. Truth be told, I’d put this in my top 3 film scores by Zimmer. He has a way of invoking all the right emotions with his work. 

Please do yourself a huge favor and go see Dune: Part 2 on the largest screen you can with all of your friends. Do not deprive yourself of this cinematic marvel.