This review may contain spoilers.
Yorgo’s review published on Letterboxd:
I can't believe what I just watched.
Calling this a revelation, a masterpiece, a modern sci-fi epic, simply does not do it enough justice. You have to experience the full beauty of this film on the biggest and best screen possible so you can actually witness true greatness come to life right in front of you.
I thought I was going to die 3 times, and I mean that as the biggest compliment. There were sequences here that made me feel like I was having a panic attack, and that happened on 3 separate occasions.
This looked and felt like a ion project to Denis Villeneuve, and one that's been taken care of and cherished so much before making sure that he was ready to give it to the audience. Paul Atreides' story merely scratched the surface in Dune, and now we get to see that story unfold a lot more, with shades of what's to come sprinkled here and there.
I was doubtful of Timothée Chalamet on my first watch of Dune I'm not gonna lie, then I was convinced that he was brilliant on rewatch, but Dune Part Two shows us a completely different side of that character, with some darkness and dangerous power that we've only barely seen. If this is what awaits us on Dune: Messiah then count me all the way in. Timmy's acting when Paul's ego grows and he's embracing the moniker he's destined to become is incredible, and really highlights his more toned down moments that we saw in the first film.
Rebecca Ferguson was also stellar, and I loved how much we got of Lady Jessica's story. Her performance when she becomes the Reverend Mother is astounding, she does so much with so little dialogue, her eyes convey so much emotion, and her ego is fed every time Paul gets closer to his prophesied destiny. Easily one of my favorite actresses working today.
Austin Butler take a bow. Wow wow wow. From the very first scene we see him in to the very last he makes sure to step up and perform. I have no doubt in saying that he's the future of this industry. Everything he touches he does so with so much care and love, you can't help but root for him.
While these were my favorite 3 performances, the rest of the cast was also brilliant, from Zendaya, to Florence Pugh (needed more of her), to Christopher Walken, to Javier Bardem (who was hilarious at times), and Stellan Skarsgård.
The mesmerizing scenes and set pieces you see and fell in love with in the trailer are only enhanced on the IMAX screen. Some scenes had my jaw on the floor, and when I left the cinema, I was genuinely just grateful to be alive to experience this cinematic marvel. The contrast between the beautiful yellow sandy landscapes to the dark and atmospheric black and white Giedi Prime scenes is mind-blowing. This is the type of movie that makes you want to work in the industry.
Nothing could've prepared me for how incredible this would be. I read a few early spoiler-free reviews, I saw the reaction people were giving it, I could not believe the high praise this was getting, but I also could not wait to experience it myself.
Denis Villeneuve has not only cemented his name as the best modern sci-fi director, but he is, in my very humble opinion, one of the very best directors of all time. One of those movies that deserve to stay in cinemas forever so you can go and watch it on the big screen whenever you like; and I can't wait to watch it again.
P.S.: I haven't read the books yet, so whatever I said in this review was strictly from the film.
