jo’s review published on Letterboxd:
I have just witnessed a masterpiece. Holy fuck.
DUNE: PART TWO is a real game-changer. More of an expansion of the novel’s themes than a 1:1 adaptation concerned about following each sequence of the book, it’s intimate, yet boasts sheer grandness in scale. It levels up everything that made Part One so great and redefines the word ‘epic’. I caught myself grinning and even cheering a few times as I was taken aback by its utter beauty and grandiose. Leave it to Denis Villeneuve to craft a masterpiece like this because THIS is what sci-fi SHOULD be, and it has to be seen on the BIGGEST screen possible (preferably IMAX).
The whole cast is great — each one delivering even beyond what was expected from them. However, it’s so hard to determine who the standouts are because everyone was at the top of their game, including the newcomers. It’s also near-impossible to say that they carried when everything else, from the direction, script, cinematography, VFX, production design, and sound are all on the same level with the same amount of ion and care placed by its filmmakers. Part One has this sense of rarity, and despite this being a Part Two, it also shares its own uniqueness, as if I have never seen anything like it before. Both parts truly feel like a journey into a new world, especially when seen on the big screen.
This may have also been, dare I say, one of the best theater experiences I’ve ever had. You can feel the enthusiasm in the audience, some of which have those bookmarks, drawstring bags, and notebook promo goodies in their hands provided by the theater, or even just the original book. There was a couple that made small talk with me before the movie about the books (they first read it 15 years ago) and were apparently on their second viewing today, on opening day. Not only did I also get to see my childhood friend whom I haven’t seen in almost eight years (and is a fellow Timmy fan), but there were even some people who approached me because of my Dune shirt (and I even got to greet them and the couple with “desert power.” Iykyk). And during the film itself, there were appropriate laughs and gasps, and I got to lead the applause at the end. Count me a changed man after walking out of that theater because holy fuck, that was a straight-up religious experience. Even with a migraine, it feels as if I have ascended to heaven, and I can now say that I have my own experience that comes close to what LOTR fans experienced back then.
Thank you so much for creating something as spectacular as this, Denis. You have truly delivered beyond what was expected and even shattered our expectations. Dune may not be for everybody, but I truly pity those who don't love it as much — although Dune: Part Two MAY change that now. However, we all know that the story does not end here. BRING ON PART THREE (DUNE MESSIAH), AND LONG LIVE CINEMA!
10/10
Most-Anticipated Films of 2024
2024 Ranked
2024 In Theaters
2024 First Time Watches
EDIT (03/31/2024): Nobody like this review now. I have officially reached 69 likes and I’d like to keep it that way. As written.
