I’m going to preface my words the same way that I prefaced my review for the first Dune: I have not read the books. I’m not intimately familiar with the source material. Everything I say is from the perspective of a blind viewer. 

I can tell you that the setting is immersive, that the spaces are transportive, that Denis is a contemporary master at world-building within science fiction.

But we already know this. So let me address something else instead.

The common complaint of this movie (there are very few) is that the first chunk is boring. I believe that it is exceptionally important to view this film as a continuation of the first; like episodes in a series. If you view this film as a standalone entity, of course it will feel slow. But view it within the context of 3 or potentially more total movies, and I think the pacing is appropriate.

This film seems to hold integral importance to the whole story. Again, I’m not familiar with the source material, but this film’s role seems necessary. There is an explanation of lineage, a nice, full development of multiple characters, and a disembowelment of the world’s politics. Did I understand everything that was happening? No. But regardless of the exact details, the first 2/3rds are clearly a cautionary exploration of power, culture, and prophetic function/authority. The film shows how people are controlled by faith, and showcases how faith can be manufactured. I think these components are necessary to the world’s foundation. And personally, I didn’t find any of the laying of those bricks boring at all. But I can see how the slow investigation of these story elements could be tiresome to others. Personally, I didn’t feel the length. 

Another important point I’d like to make, is the example that Denis Villeneuve sets for the film world. Much like Christopher Nolan, Villeneuve proves that large-budget blockbusters don’t have to be CGI infested, Godzilla-vs-Kong-sized wastes of time, and money. Huge budgets can be used productively in a way that is responsible to the medium, and contemporarily relevant. Villeneuve cares about cinema, and is constantly using his resources to push it further. That’s all I ask of filmmakers: care about adding to the history of your medium. At a $190 million budget, the cinematography (70mm btw) is handled with the intimacy of arthouse. One shot will contain humungous monochrome landscapes, while the next will feature characters blanketed in soft shadows with some of the most shallow depth of field I’ve ever seen in 70mm cinema. 

I’m still not sold on Timothée in this role, but it isn’t bad. The acting in general is pretty good in this film. At the very least, Dune Part 2 is visually unbelievable. And for that reason alone, it is worth seeing in IMAX if possible. If availability, or accessibility prevents you from an IMAX experience, a standard theater viewing will be worth it as well. Anything other than a tv in a living room.