Okay, the feedback none of you asked for -- I saw
Dune 2 today (in Screen X no less -- basically the images extends onto the side walls so your periphery vision feels like you are immersed in the actual action, and it was kinda cool!). I am trying to avoid any actual spoilers.
My first reaction is I don't know whether I liked it better than the first film. yes, it provides closure to this part of the story; however I felt more towards the characters in the first film. I felt like they had SO much plot to get out of the way that the characters are used more to represent factions, philosophies, or political/religious ideas than actual characters. I'm disappointed to say this, because I wanted to just be blown away, and mostly I was just pleased with the film and my response seems less than some viewers.
I cried once, and it was in an odd spot -- it's after Paul drinks the Water of Life and then goes into the southern Sietch, skipping over the customs to basically embrace his role as a revolutionary and religious figure. (From his visions, it is the only way through.) Chalamet's acting is tremendous here, and he's terrifying, and you know it will cost Paul, cost Chani, and eventually cost billions of lives across the galaxy. In terms of the narrative, it is a huge moment, because Paul has been trying to avoid this outcome for much of the film but sees no other way through -- and once he embraces it, he never pulls back. Also, it's hard to watch where things go with Chani and Paul.
Florence Pugh unfortunately does not have much more screen time than Lea Seydoux. I should have guessed who Anya Taylor-Joy played, but I just didn't realize how fully that character would be included in this film lol.
The film does provide a lot of gratification in its closure -- pretty everyone who needs to pay for what they've done do pay in one way or another, even a few unexpected folks.
I can't say Austin Butler scared me a ton, he and Dave Batista are both essentially violent nutjobs, but boy is he formidable as an eyebrow-less fighter -- and he is using his voice channeling abilities to emulate Baron Harkonnen perfectly... at times I couldn't even tell which one was talking. That was unsettling.
There were a number of spectacle shots that were just impressive, and I think the one real "AWE/AMAZE" moment I had was in the opening of the battle in the last quarter of the film. My jaw literally hung open for about 45 seconds at that point. Just... damn! Also, the black and white portions involving the Harkonnens were really beautifully rendered. The sound design and soundtrack are both remarkable, and I love how Zimmer incorporates native Arrakis sounds into his music, including the percussive beats of the thumpers used to signal sandworms throughout the story.
I think looking back over it, I feel like it's really the Bene Gesserit who are really in charge of everything. They pull so many strings and have the knowledge to do so. They seem to be in the most control.
I also think the biggest bombshell in the film was the following:
deadline.com
movieweb.com
