Review: Dune: Part Two

Epic doesn’t even begin to describe Dune: Part Two. Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is a massive cinematic achievement that left me in awe. A grand scale of direction and vision. From the direction to the acting to the score to the cinematography, Dune: Part Two excels in them all. See it on the biggest screen possible. Denis Villeneuve’s masterful sequel receives a 5-star review from me.

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We await your orders, Lisan al-Gaib ... Lead them to paradise.

Dune: Part Two is Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel to his 2021 sci-fi epic, Dune. Based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, Dune: Part Two follows the journey of Paul Atreides (a superb Timothée Chalamet). Paul is on a quest for revenge against those who killed his family in the previous film. In Part Two, Paul unites with Chani (a terrific Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against House Harkonnen and the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (a sly Christopher Walken). Paul will face a choice between the love of his life, Chani, and the fate of the known universe, on a path of destruction that only he can foresee. Part Two, much like past Greek stories and mythologies, is a tragedy.

Part Two doesn't necessarily take the path you want it to, but rather the path of characters evolving for their own selfish and power-hungry needs. Part Two also jumps into a world of religion and faith. With religion comes vulnerabilities that allows for a false prophet to come in and take control. Villeneuve is a masterful director, especially when it comes to science fiction films (2021's Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival). He's one of our greatest modern directors currently working in the industry. In addition, the cast for Part Two is stacked: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem. All of the actors brought their a-game, no matter how big or how small their part was in the film. Part Two is not just Paul's story but also Chani's story. An aspect I really appreciated.

Cinematographer Greig Fraser (2021's Dune and The Batman) delivers another epic and breathtaking picture. You will be wowed. I was in awe of Fraser's breathtaking desert landscape. There's also a black-and-white sequence for House Harkonnen that is absolutely stunning. This is where we are introduced to Feyd-Rautha (a devilish Austin Butler). Furthermore, composer Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, Gladiator, Inception, and 2021's Dune) hammered a score so hot it will leave your ears ringing after the credits roll. Zimmer was on fire with Part Two; I could feel the score in my bones, the very essence of my core. Part Two is a movie I recommend seeing on the biggest screen possible. I was blessed to have seen it on IMAX, and it was worth every penny for the price of admission. The action does not let up in Part Two, keeping you on the edge of your seat for its hefty runtime of 165 minutes. This week, Legendary Pictures has already confirmed that Dune: Messiah is officially in development, gifting Villeneuve with his Dune trilogy on Paul Atreides story arc. Within a month, Part Two has already grossed $632.4 million at the worldwide box office. Part Two came, wowed, and conquered. I am excited for what Messiah has in store for us. Until then, "Long live the fighters."

Want to hear more of my thoughts on Dune: Part Two? I spoke with my friends, Matt and Ashley, on their podcast Mashley at the Movies. Listen Here.

Dune: Part Two is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Sequences of Strong Violence | Brief Strong Language | Some Suggestive Material.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem.