Dune Part Two movie review

Denis Villeneuve Delivers sci fi masterpiece that embodies what franchise blockbuster filmmaking should be. 5 out of 5

Dune part two joins the list of greatest sequels of all time by building upon the first film by Deeping the characters, escalating the stakes, and expanding the world of dune. Denis Villeneuve just continues not to disappoint between Enemy, Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049, Dune part one, and now part two he is cementing himself as one of the best directors of the past decade. Dune Part Two does what great sequels should do by not repeating what the first film did but instead give our hero’s new challenges to overcome and make dune that has influenced so many movies Star Wars most notably new and fresh.

After the death of his father Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. I loved this movie so much it is franchise filmmaking at its best and shows what happens when you get a master filmmaker like Denis Villeneuve who clearly loves the source material and wanted to bring it to the big screen in a way it hasn’t been before with the David Lynch movie being so awful. Dune Part Two works on every level from the script, direction, acting, cinematography, production design, costume design, editing, and Hans Zimmer’s score is among his best.

The first thing I want to talk about is Denis Villeneuve’s direction he out does himself in this film the choices he makes and the confidence he makes them with like making the Harkins planet black and white when Feyd is fighting what’s left of the Atreides family in the arena it looks stunning. Denis manages to balance this huge ensemble of amazing actors with new people coming in while not forgetting who he introduced in the first film which a lot of sequels struggle to do. The pacing of the film is great it takes its time but never drags and the progression of the story and Paul’s journey is so well done by Denis he really understands how this story needed to be told for it to have the maximum impact on the audience and subverts the hero’s journey and make you feel the dread that something terrible is about to be unleashed.

The performances across the board from the main leads to the supporting cast are phenomenal starting with Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides. He plays him so well you really believe his transformation going from this humble kid who does not want to be the messiah and just be part of the Fremen to becoming a man and embracing becoming the messiah. There are so many scenes Chalamet crushes like when after he defeats Feyd he can use the voice to make Mohaim be quiet just by yelling silence!!!! at her and its so riveting to watch. Austin butler is just as good playing Feyd-Rautha the nephew of the baron who is just terrifying, ruthless, and fascinating to watch every second he is on screen and seeing him go from Elvis to this just shows Austin Butler will be one of the best actors of his generation. Rebecca Ferguson as lady Jessica is great like Paul, you see her come into her power as she converts so many of the Fremen into believers that Paul is the messiah. The other cast are great Christopher Walken, Dave Bastista, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem and Zendaya all bring it to their roles, so the film has the weight that you want it to have.

The cinematography of the film by Greg Fraser is jaw dropping almost every frame can be made into a poster and hung up on a wall and it immerses you into the world of the film. In combo with cinematography the VFX are seamless when you have so many marvel movies and shows that look like crap this film shows how to use CGI and visual effects together in way that doesn’t take you out of the film. The sandworms, space scenes, and the ships look amazing it’s a testament to Denis and his team you can tell they really put attention to detail to make sure you feel you are in the world of dune and its glorious to watch. Hans Zimmer’s score contributes to that big time he has so many great themes in this film like the love theme for Paul and Chane, when Paul goes south it has this feeling of dread, and when Paul drinks the juice from the small sand worm you can feel in the score this is the point of no return for Paul and he won’t ever be same after this experience.

The script for this film written by Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Hitomi is so well written it really brings everything about dune to life like the themes of the hero’s journey, religious fanaticism, and what Frank Herbert intended which is a cautionary tale against messiah figures. The dialogue in the film is well written like Stilgar is so funny when Paul tries to be humble, and he goes he must be the messiah and the conversations between Paul and Chane are so romantic and great. Equally when he talks to his mother about her influencing the fremen to becoming believers and how he’s not happy about it and her telling him he is blinded by love and needs to fulfill his duty. The structure of the film in the script is great it takes you on the journey with Paul and having the princess be the narrator of the film is ingenious.

Final thoughts on Dune Part Two is that I love that a visionary director like Denis Villeneuve got to bring his vison for source material he clearly has so much love and passion for. It shows when you let artist cook you will be rewarded for it in spades and should be a lesson for studios. My rating for this film is 5 out 5 I don’t have any criticisms for this film.