A sci-fi scale of epic proportions, spellbinding director Dennis Villenueve further expands the world of Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two. This sequel is filled with visually thrilling scenes, creative use of sound, beautiful costume and a twisted plot of intergalactic religious sects and elite family betrayals that’s so engrossing to dissect and analyze. The production design is lavish too, while the cinematography adds power to the electric direction.

Acting wise, everyone was given enough screen-time to own their moments. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Stellan Skarsgård have always been formidable acting forces so no surprise that they delivered but it was Dave Bautista and Austin Butler who shined in their scenes with controlled wickedness and demanding presence. Rebecca Ferguson also owned all her scenes. She was amazing.

But with an almost 3-hour runtime, Dune: Part Two is more tedious than its predecessor. The political and religious banters in the middle section should’ve been exciting but it was a little brittle. Villeneuve could reason that establishing a fine-combed world building is necessary for a larger-than-life epic, but casuals who aren’t too invested with Paul’s revenge arc may find the pacing cumbersome. 

Overall, Dune: Part Two could sit in the throngs of fantastic, well-constructed sci-fi extravaganzas that deserved its accolades.