Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part 2 doubles down on the religious allegory and the white savior complex, but also enriches the world even further. Denis Villeneuve is a master at taking the dense, complex lore of Frank Herbert's epic and making it readable for the average audience. He pays homage to shots auteur science fiction directors before him have crafted while adding his own unique vision to the mix. He adds the rich texture of incredible cinematography, playing with color and lighting with the skills of master artisan to create something particularly beautiful. Every actor, no matter how large or small their part, delivers with the kind of professionalism and integrity the film requires. Austin Butler joins the cast in this one and steals every scene he's in, and many returning favorites like Chalamet and Zendaya continue to prove they have a future in this industry. The action is intense and palpable, while also being easy to follow. Never did I lose track of who was fighting who, and where they were in relation to one another. The fight choreographer really put their heart and soul into creating complex fights work in a realistic light among the big fantasy sci-fi concepts. Altogether, this is another perfect movie from Denis, one of the greatest directors working today. Go see it, and see it in IMAX if you can.