Review: Denis Villeneuve cultivates desert power in 'Dune: Part Two'

I’ll say it as bluntly as I possibly can. “Dune: Part Two” is the best movie of 2024 so far. “Dune: Part Two” is probably the best movie of the 2020s. Hell, “Dune: Part Two” might be the best movie of the 21st century. 

Even if you disagree that it’s the best movie of the last quarter of a century, nobody can deny that “Dune: Part Two” is monumentally impressive. It’s a colossal feat of filmmaking, living up to the “space opera” moniker more than any film since “The Empire Strikes Back.”

The sequel concludes the story of 2021's science fiction epic, "Dune," both based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name. The two films follow the journey of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, to become the reluctant messiah of the planet Arrakis.

Normally, for a film review, I’d be inclined to list off the cinematic elements of the film – acting, lighting, cinematography, that stuff – and what makes each one great or not-so-great. There’s no point in doing that here, because everything about “Dune: Part Two” is great. 

The movie’s ensemble cast is massive, including some of the biggest names of the current generation alongside a healthy selection of all-time greats. “Dune: Part Two” has an A-list actor for every type of moviegoer. There is one specific brief surprise appearance (that I won’t spoil here) that will be especially exciting for fans of modern horror.

Everybody shines in their own way.

Rebecca Ferguson essentially plays two roles, both to perfection. Zendaya puts forth the most compelling performance of her career so far. Chalamet delivers a second-act monologue on par with Robert Shaw in “Jaws” and Peter Lorre in “M," and Austin Butler proves that he can do more accents than just the Elvis voice.

I also want to highlight Javier Bardem’s performance as Atreides' multifaceted mentor figure. Technically speaking, his character is — a lot of the time — the comic relief, but he doesn’t feel goofy — just a rare believer among the sands and sorrows of Arrakis.

Speaking of, I hope you like orange, because this film is absolutely awash with the color. Its near-constant presence is oppressive, and rightfully so. Arrakis is an oppressive place, and the artful use of warm oranges and yellows pulls the audience into the environment. 

Even the very first scene of the picture is a masterpiece. Every single shot is something I’d frame on my wall, and it doesn’t stop there. After hurtling the audience back into the sands of Arrakis, director Denis Villeneuve never lets his foot off the gas.

“Dune: Part Two” has a runtime that pushes three hours, but it hardly even feels like two. This isn’t in any way a bad thing, either; I left the multiplex feeling incredibly satisfied. The script rockets along, keeping a perfect pace through both the slower plot elements near the start and the pulse-pounding grand finale.

Seeing it on the silver screen was the most incredible cinematic experience I’ve had in years. The sound, the colors — everything was so immersive. If his previous work didn’t already do so, Denis Villeneuve proved with this outing his mastery of audience engagement.

That said, the film does start exactly where the former left off. In all fairness, it does have “part two” in its name. Unless you’re a “Dune” superfan, I recommend rewatching 2021’s “Dune” before you go see the second part — not exactly a hard order: the first part is very good, even if its potential was only fulfilled in its successor.

Speaking of, “Dune: Part Two” fixes the handful of issues I had with its predecessor. The first film’s pacing was a bit slow, and its characters lacked depth in some scenes — none of these issues remain in "Part Two."

I cannot talk about every single thing I loved in “Dune: Part Two,” or else this review will end up longer than Herbert’s entire "Dune" saga. To put it simply: “Dune: Part Two” is a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience. Go see it on the big screen.

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