Karl’s review published on Letterboxd:
It's been just over a year since Denis Villeneuve magmum opus graced movie theaters. This was my first time watching it since then. I had wondered if it would lose some of its power. It absolutely did not. I was once again mesmerized by its sound, fury and awe-inspiring visuals.
What makes it work so well, particularly at home, is how well Villeneuve lays out what could've been a confusing story. The dangers of following a messiah or false prophet, especially one who is of a people known for exploiation is a potent theme. There's an intimacy between the characters, amid all the bombast. It's not constant action. We get to inhabit the world along with the characters.
Timothee Chalamet, who just lost Best Actor, was perhaps nominated for the wrong film (don't even get me started on the Villenueve snub). Sure he's good as Bob Dylan, but Paul Atreides is a more interesting role, at least on an emotional psychological level. Chalamet aces it. The heart of the movie though is Zendaya as Chani. There's a reason Villenueuve chose that last shot. Hans Zimmer's score, during that scene and several others, once again gave me goose bumps.
If only we had a film as impressive and transportive in theaters now. Somehow I'm not expecting Mickey 17 to reach those heights. That's probably unfair though. Dune - Part Two is the rare thinking-person's blockbuster that doesn't resort to non-stop CGI and self-referential quips. It's a miraculous feat of spectacle filmmaking.
