Dune: Part Two

Watched in 70mm IMAX A visual and scale upgrade from Dune, Villeneuve's continued interpretation of Frank Herbert's world blows all other sci-fi epics out of the water. Because Dune tasked itself with laying the groundwork; houses, factions, locations, there's little need for further world building in this sequel. It's full steam ahead from here on out, and we instead get to witness every character completely in their element and upbringing, whether it be Fremen, Harkonnen, or Bene Gesserit. Tonal differences and Hans Zimmer's score are expertly chosen so that even the cold and sullen Geidi Prime exists in the same movie as the stark beauty that is Arrakis. From the smallest of trinkets to the grandeur of desert landscapes, it's almost impossible to not get lost in the fine details of the world, and the countless mesmerizing shots from DP Greig Fraser are some of science fiction's best. Caverns and brutalist interiors are reminiscent of Ralph McQuarrie's art, and the otherworldly sound design give us moments of feeling as if we too are drowning in sand or the rhythms of the worm thumpers. I was absolutely blown away at how effectively Villeneuve communicates the fervor of religion, and the grand vision of Frank Herbert’s massive world surrounded by prophecy and spiritual devotion. Where other storytellers have skirted around the complexity and intricacies of faith, Part Two shows no such hesitation and instead dives headfirst in. IMAX 70mm made it one of the best moviegoing experiences, and a never-forgotten reminder of why I love this genre so much. I really think that this marks a breakthrough in sci-fi, in spectacle and in thematic power that only Villeneuve seems to top for himself. First it was Arrival, Blade Runner: 2049, and now Dune: Part Two. There is so much material in the novel that this portion of the story could have easily been expanded into two movies, but as it stands it's still a straight 5/5 stars for the experience alone.