Dune: Part 2

Adapting the second half of Frank Herbert's legendary and influential novel, Dune: Part 2 follows on from the 2021 film wherein Paul Atreides and her mother have to survive in the harsh environment of the planet Dune after the Atreides family was betrayed by the Harkonnen's with approval from the Emperor of the universe. With the help from the planet's inhabitants, the Fremen, Paul must learn to hone his abilities of the Bene Gesserit he inherited from his mother, come to grips with the idea of being a messiah, and fight the many forces that the Harkonnens and Empire sets against them. This sequel not only manages to live up to being a sequel to the already strong first film, but manages to surpass it to be an astounding movie on its own right. Denis Villeneuve crafts an incredibly astounding work that no doubt captures what made the original 1965 novel such a powerful story. His direction is so precise in capturing incredible detail and the writing Denis shares with Jon Spaihts manages to take a story that has been copied by others inspired by Herbert's book but keeps it true to what the source material true, thus making it feel authentic and in some ways fresh. The characters never feel one dimensional and the motivations are not only understandable but, much like the original book, leaves you questioning who is in the right and how certain events aren't straightforward. Villeneuve's decision to shoot in actual deserts truly encapsulates how big budget movies can still have just as much practical effects and locations as digital effects. All the shots of the landscapes are incredible, all thanks to Greig Fraser's astounding work in the cinematography. While we had shots like that in the first movie, with this one it's set more in the desert and thus Fraser's work shines more. Add to that, scenes that take place in the Harkonnen home world are shot in this astounding black and white look thanks to infrared cameras. Hans Zimmer not only returns to work on the score, but he manages to outdo himself by creating one of the most etherial pieces of music ever. One particular track, "Kiss the Ring", plays throughout the movie at certain points, but especially at the end. It's both incredibly beautiful and astoundingly terrifying, being able to feel an awe in Paul's journey throughout the desert and then a touch of tragedy when Paul declares a war that may lead to thousands dying as he's manipulated by many forces. With Timothée Chalamet in the lead, he gives an incredibly powerful performance and makes Paul's development, struggles, and decisions seem life like. Alongside him, Chalamet's costars which include Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler all deliver just as powerful performances. As the story relies on the characters for its plot, the cast all did an incredible job with whom they played whether they had big or small roles. With a sequel already set based on Herbert's 1969 followup Dune Messiah, Villeneuve and everyone else involved in it will have a hard time in trying to surpass a movie like Dune Part 2. Over all: 100%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. The Book of Clarence

3. Drive-Away Dolls

4. Lisa Frankenstein

5. Argylle

6. Mean Girls 2024