Just saw Dune Part II.
"Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee."
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, again, this director knows how to use visual and sound cues to build a convincing world that house this epic story by Frank Herbert. Greig Fraser as cinematographer going so hard and good, the worlds conveyed so nicely and the movie feels epic thanks to this man. Loosely using Lawrence of Arabia and Middle East oil crisis as inspiration, the novel series got many adaptations, notably the funky 1984 version starring Sting. The 2020s version is more novel accurate thanks to Villeneuve's passion for the lore and commitment to the vision of Paul Atreides.
Yes, you need to watch Part 1 first.
This movie is definitely more political and Bene Gesserit, the mysterious female seers/sisterhood in the Imperium got more details this time compared to the first movie. This time, the movie got chance to expand and put in more details as who there are and why they are important in the galactic politics of the great houses such as Harkonnen and Atreides not forgetting the House Corrino, the current ruler of the Imperium.
The main cast did a stellar job in conveying the characters from Javier Bardem to Timothée Chalamet; I can buy their presence as the story demands. I have to admit that I am not used to Christopher Walken as the Padasiah Emperor but actually he is suitable, in conveying little quirkiness of the vain but torn emperor. The new Harkonnen character, Feyd Rautha Harkonnen starring Austin Butler brings in a fresh villainy into the story where he is a fresh threat to Paul. He is trying so hard too hard to be like the Baron, to be honest. But he is still OK. Another important Bene Gesserit sister, Margot Fenning, starring Lea Seydoux needs more details here, shame that she is only shown briefly in the movie.
Novel fans will be happy as this movie is closest it can be to the faithful adaptation. Spectacular visions of the world like Gedi Prime of Harkonnen to the endless dunes of Arrakis are well told. Battle scenes are great if you can ignore some tactical inconsistencies especially the Fremen tactics.
The Harkonnen soldiers reminds me of conscripts of Red Alert, machine-like and inflexible while the quiet yet trained professionalism of Saudukar in every moment caught in splendid details. The Fremen fight in very agile, precise and fast style, showing why they are the deadliest fighter in Dune universe, surpassing even the famous Saudukars.
I personally felt the movie should be 3 parts to put in more details into the Dune universe like the importance of Navigator Guild, why Arrakis spice is so critical to the Imperium and the Emperor himself. But I can only dream. There are definitely parts in this movie felt like rushed through.
The movie final message talks about the dangers of cult worshipping and heroism without question - a point that many people should heed nowadays. And role of religion as meme and how fast it can spread.
Go watch it in big cinema as it is meant to be. If you can, go full IMAX experience. Make sure you go to toilet first before the movie too.
A 9 out of 10 from me.
