Dune: Part Two

Where do I even begin with this review? It has quite literally taken me all day to write this. Dune Part 2 has received universal critical acclaim. As I watched the film I was loving it, but I kept waiting for that moment for it to click. That moment where I could understand why everyone is raving about it. I kept waiting and waiting… and then it happened. Dune Pt 2 is triumphant and cinematic. I was enthralled throughout the film and it did not feel anywhere close to three hours long. Every single shot was deliberate and full of purpose - it is masterfully crafted. The VFX shots are incredible and feel so real. From Paul riding the sand worm to the final battle where we watch the 3 sand worms attack. The cinematography is excellent and displays such beautiful and interesting visuals. Dune Pt 2 is genuinely perfect on a technical level. It has been one of the greatest cinematic experiences I’ve had the opportunity to live through.  But Dune Pt 2 is not only great on a technical level but with its story too. Typically I’m not a fan of religious based stories but watching Paul start the film dismissing the prophecy to embracing his Messiah role at the end was fantastic. Many people criticised Dune Pt 1 for following the white saviour trope but Dune Pt 2 perfectly explains why this story is not that. It explores the dangers of this notion and does not treat Paul as the hero. The final shots ends of Chani feeling uncertain of her place in this new world and it’s the perfect ending!  Paul now has this power and he is no longer the humble boy Chani met. I loved the way the film showed the dangers of faith. Whilst initially played off as a joke with Stilgar, the message spreads and turns Paul into this powerful figure. There is a line between worship and fascism and Dune Pt 2 blurs it so well that the shift is so seamless.  Timothée Chalamet does some of his best work in this movie. He fleshes Paul out so much at the start of the film and gradually builds his confidence and power through the film. This all of course builds up to the moment where Paul goes to the south and becomes ‘the Messiah’. Timothée Chalamet commands the scene, you watch him become the Messiah. It is full of emotion and power that will leave you shaking and horrified. It is the scene that made me understand why this film has the reputation it has.  Of course I must also talk about Austin Butler. He is in the film for no more than 15 mins but it is no exaggeration to say those might be some of the best 15 mins in cinematic history. Feyd-Rautha is sadistic and terrifying and I loved every second of him. All eyes are on Austin Butler no matter who he is acting against. This all culminates in the final fight between Paul and Feyd-Rautha. This will go down as one of the best fights of all time, I’m sure of it. I love the way the music cuts and you watch these two men fight, uncut and raw. The directing is incredible and it had me on the edge of my seat.  All the performances are great; Rebecca Ferguson is fantastic in the first act of the film and Zendaya is a pleasure to watch all throughout. It was a surprise to see Christopher Walken but the moment he appeared I thought he was perfect.  I really hope we get Dune Messiah, Florence Pugh only had a few scenes scattered throughout the film but I can already picture how much she’ll shine if she’s given the opportunity.  Dune Pt 2 is everything a sequel should be and I can see why it has been likened to Empire Strikes back. It is darker, more layered and develops these interesting themes. The film doesn’t necessarily need a third film but the Dune series has the potential to rise to the Lord of the Rings trilogy’s level.