❌ Follow us on Twitter

Review by Jack (@jackrask0v1ch)

Denis Villenueve’s second part of his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi book series, Dune: Part Two, truly feels like a once in a lifetime movie. Seeing such care put into character journeys, world building, and filmmaking done on such epic scale is nothing short of inspiring. As somebody who’s only knowledge of the series prior to 2021’s Part One, was a one time viewing of the awful David Lynch’s Dune on DVD when they were younger, I was very hesitant before I journeyed into Villenueve’s Arrakis three years ago. Luckily, Denis delivered one of the best science fiction movies of the last decade. This time though, he has topped himself with Dune: Part Two. Being shot fully with IMAX cameras by the legend, Greig Fraser, Villenueve is able to enlarge the intimate moments between characters to new heights as we consistently feel like we are apart of their world. In Part Two, we follow Paul Atreides, hellbent on getting revenge on the Harkonnens as he learns the ways of the deser among the Fremen. 

Picking up quite literally seconds after the end of Part One, Dune: Part Two immediately puts the audience back on Arrakis. After an amazing prologue narrated by Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan Corrino, we are thrown into an intense action sequence that really set the tone for how brutal this film will be. With every fight in this film, Villenueve has managed to put so much buildup and tension before these sequences that regardless if you have read the books, you feel like our protagonists are in grave danger as every action sequence feels like a life or death scenario. It truly feels amazing to say that you could actually feel characters were in danger in a recent blockbuster. The choreography of the fights have been greatly improved from Part One, as we see the sheer physicality certain performances have, like Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. We are introduced to Butler’s character in a black and white gladiator sequence on the Harkonnen home planet of Geidi Prime. Rautha is ruthless in this film; while not including certain elements of his character from the books, he is arguably more viscious in Villenueve’s adaptation. There are some pretty big changes towards the third act of the film that will probably piss of book puritans, but having only reading it within the past year, I felt like the changes overall tightened up the ending. In result of these changes, the third act feels less convoluted than the ending of the book.

With such an all-star cast, and compelling screenplay, seeing the events of this film displayed upon an IMAX screen is a transcending experience. Fraser and Villenueve managed to use the format to fully immerse the audience on Arrakis. As I watched this film, there were so many moments where I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like I was watching an epic that one day will go down in history as one of the greatest movies of all time. Everyone who worked on this film has brought some of their best work to date. From Fraser’s gorgeous cinematography, Hans Zimmer’s breathtaking score, and everyone in the cast on their A-game, Part Two had me wanting to run around like a little kid. Among the absolutely stacked cast, some of my favorite performances were Timothee Chalamet’s incredibly dark version of Paul as I have never seen him act this way before. He has a screen presence that is so strong and demanding that towards the latter half of the film, you can’t help but dislike his character, but he’s just so damn fun to watch. Chalamet does such a great job at playing a man torn between what he wants and what he should do, as somebody who is afraid of the future, I really resonated with Paul even though I wanted to smack him. Zendaya also dominates the screen as she plays such a skeptical warrior who has fallen in love. You feel the anger and pain she feels through her eyes, as they say so much without saying anything at all. Rebecca Fergusson’s Lady Jessica was also terrifying to watch as her character goes on an insanely dark path. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of Stilgar this time around is much more comedic, but it works in service of giving the audience some breathing room during such a dark film. Bardem’s comedic timing was amazing as it has given me some of the biggest laughs i’ve had in a theater in a while. As I earlier mentioned Butler’s Feyd-Rautha, I still can’t get over how impactful his presence is even though he’s in the film for an hour. 

For as much hyperbole as I have used in this review, all of it feels warranted, while I was skeptical to hear such high praise at first, this film exceeds those expectations for me. Dune: Part Two is such a satisfying watch for me as everything that gets payed off in the film, was set up previously, and I adore filmmaking that makes you care first before the action really happens. In a landscape where most Hollywood blockbusters look absolutely disgusting, Villenueve has made sure for Part Two to not fall into that category. For having a budget of $190M, it looks a thousand times better than recent films made for $300M. The amount of care put into every frame is shown as every visual is breathtaking. Featuring some of the best sound design in a recent movie, this is one of the most immersive, satisfying, and epic films I have ever seen. One day will come when we get another installment, but until then, I am more than joyous about Denis’ adaptation of the first book.