Long live Dune.

Not to be hyperbolic but I came out of that cinema changed. Dune Part 2 is landmark cinema, it comfortably cements itself as one of the all time greats…and will be ed as such! 

Dune Part 2 is a masterpiece of epic science fiction filmmaking. Its sheer sense of scale and grandeur alone elevates it to must see status. What lingers is the way it captivates the mind as effectively as it does the eyes. A staggeringly plotted morality tale of politics, zealousness and fundamentalist with complex themes and characters that ebb and flow naturally. There isn’t room for 2-dimensional characters here. They wouldn’t work in this intricately crafted universe.

Villeneuve’s craft is unmatched, his eye for spectacle and story blends seamlessly and brings Herbert’s vision to life flawlessly. There isn’t an inch of this that isn’t breathtaking. It’s cinematography is unparalleled in the genre, it’s score is intricate and captivating and each central performance allows for range and nuance. I have consistently overlooked Chalamet as leading man material. Unfairly labelling him as ‘just another pretty face’. Even in Dune Part One I wasn’t entirely sold on his turn as Paul Atreides…but that all changes with Dune Part 2.

Powerhouse doesn’t even come close. His is a multi-layered, dedicated performance that allows for quieter moment to compliment scenes of bombast. It’s a phenomenal symphony for the soul! Ferguson is equally captivating, her role in the sequel is expanded on and the movie is all the better for it!

The action set-pieces are flawlessly choreographed. The stakes have never been higher and on several occasions I found myself clutching at my proverbial pearls in shock and awe. The master stroke is how effortlessly this counteracts the onslaught of mediocrity we’ve had to suffer through for the past year and a half. A blockbuster movie with heart and with vision! No sign of studio interference or fan-boy pandering. What we have here is a seamless and powerful narrative, told by a master craftsman at the hight of his game. I will cherish this cinematic experience for the rest of my life.

The politics and themes alone are staggering, mature, layered and vast. Nothing has an easy answer. Nobody is just one thing. Except for that grandpa Sandworm…he was a real good boy. 

I’m floored. I’m honestly floored. I came out of the cinema shaking, unable to fully quantify what I’d just seen. You know when a cinematic experience affects you this powerfully…it often takes a moment before you come back down to Earth. It’s the type of movie that reinvigorates film lovers and creates all new ones. This is a once in a lifetime movie. I want to return to this review after a second viewing because I honestly don’t feel like I can fully digest just how wonderful this is in one sitting! 

Landmark cinema at its finest! History in the making. Lead us to paradise.