People are desperate for creative, fresh ideas. How funny is it that this is best expressed in a sequel movie for source material that is 60 years old.
It arguably has MUCH older roots than even that. Herbert's (and Villeneuve's) "Dune" is nothing if not a modern Greek tragedy. Even the "Atreides" family name comes from ancient Greek myth: there it referred to a multi-generational curse the gods placed on the House of Atreus, something that also has echoes that become apparent in later books in the series, especially "Children of Dune" and "God Emperor".
Dune has been "adapted" multiple times before to varying degrees of "success" You can have a great source material and still mess up the adaptation if you don't do a good job. I bet M Night Shayamalan is still getting death threats from the Last Airbender fanbase even till this day for what he did.
It’s a really interesting post-Star Wars idea that freshness in the medium of cinema is now expressed by the exact thing Star Wars was riffing on. I think that complicates Dune (the movie) as a piece of art that is the most book-dependent big blockbuster ever made. We may have run out of new ideas (that work on a large scale) entirely. Which is why I want celebrate this movies success but it also feels weird.
Sydney smiling from ear to ear for a good 14 min straight about this movie has gotten me even more excited for it😂 seeing it tomorrow and I haven’t been this excited for a movie in… well forever.
This movie was a spiritual experience for me. It was a beautiful triumph for storytelling in cinema. I don't care that it wasn't from an origianal idea, it's part of what we do as humans in storytelling through human history and cinema is one of those mediums we continue to adjust deeper and deeper. This is something we have all been wanting from cinema and this is one of the footprints in it's wake. This is one to remember.
I saw the same thing. DV said in an interview that he told the studio that once they committed to filming the black and white parts the way they did it was irreversible
“When one has lived with prophecy for so long, the moment of revelation is a shock”. I cried when the credits rolled. Not just a single tear, or a sob either. A bizarrely muted cry. Same way I cried back in sixth grade when we won the rec basketball championship after I got cut from the travel team - the tears just fell out, happiness released. We won. Killer review as always Syd! So cool to see how far you’ve come with your content, keep up the passion and the sky is the limit 🚀
Your enthusiasm is contagious! I've always been a long time fan of Villeneuve's pacing, moody atmosphere and tension building skills since Incendies. He's shown he can make people feel different about what's on a screen. And, as a Québécois, I have to say your pronounciation of my fellow countryman's name is perfect! ;P
Great review, as always! Denis did say that he wants to make a trilogy, and nothing past that - he mentioned in a few interviews that "Messiah" would be his last "Dune" film, if that happens. Which... let's be real, it's going to happen. Loved the film, can't wait to see it again on Friday! I will say though, the online slander of "Part One" that "Part Two" unintentionally created has been so unfair and disappointing - people need to stop that or I will summon Shai Hulud to address their takes.
In an interview Denis Villeneuve said that DUNE 3 will probably be done but not straight away. He is working on 4 projects, on DUNE 3 but also the adaptation of Rendezvous with RAMA. You'll need some patience for "The Messiah of Dune." DUNE 2 ☆☆☆☆☆
Easily this is the most I have been excited for a movie since.. well the first one lol but honestly seeing the success of Deni's Dune movies fills me a joy I can't express. I remember as a teenager becoming obessed with Dune's world back when all I had was the books and the Sci-fi miniseries that aired in 2000. I didn't know if I would ever live to see a big budget movie do the books justice as Villeneuve has, the man is a saint and I truly feel like life has come full circle.
I loved it in IMAX. It was quite an experience. The religious aspects were fascinating. ThBaron's nephew is not one to bring bad news to ... or even offer advice lol. The sound was beautiful. I want to watch it many more times!
Amazing review! I’m glad you didn’t just go for the hyperbolic review that everyone seems to be doing (I don’t blame them but still..) it was nice to get a breakdown of your thoughts in a calm and logical manner, will continue to follow your channel
Saw Dune Part 2 last Sunday, at a Fan First Premier, in IMAX, and it was astounding 🤯! Mr. Villeneuve is the GOAT During a recent interview, he said Dune Messiah is gonna happen, but wants to take his time with the script Feel free, Denis, to take all the time needed, because it will be worth the wait
I'm happy you mentioned Timothee. I never really got the issue with him in part 1. As someone who wanted to wait to read the second half of dune until after I saw the movie, I also felt some key events were on screen for maybe too short a time. It sucks that Denis said we will never see the deleted scenes. I want the 4hr cut
I've never seen you this happy while reviewing a film, glad you enjoyed it, I loved it too. I really hope you do a spoiler video for this,cause I would love to hear your thoughts on some of the major changes from the book@
100% fantastic movie. I wish the Dinner scene would have made it into the first film, along with Jessica's Garden. I'm very fine with the changes for part 2. Loved the book.
The dinner scene is one of my favorite scenes in any of the books, was really sad it didn’t make it in but I’m sure it’s tough to execute with all the inner monologues
Understandable. I know a lot of lovers of the book are upset about things that didn’t make it in but you have to change parts of books to adapt for cinema. If they did a 1 for 1 adaptation, it would be an incredibly long movie and probably have poor pacing as well. Books on the other hand can get away with different things than movies can and vice versa
This is exactly the kind of spoiler-free review I was looking for on this! I've got my ticket for tomorrow night and I can barely contain my excitement!
Watched it in IMAX. I reckon DUNE 2 has one of the most epic sound designs I've ever heard in my life. Also, just watching a line-up of fantastic actors kneel before Christopher Walken and Florence Pugh, is worth the price of admission alone. 😛
AAAAHHHHHH!!! Seeing it in T-Minus 13 hours 😭 I booked my screening after work, so I'll be running out of the office. Absolutely amazing review Sydney!!! 🙌 I'm aggressively hyped for this movie, I just finished Messiah last night, I've been watching and rewatching the first film lately and I'm probably gonna end up doing posters for this one, I need it 😭 P.S. ANDOR MENTION 🤩
@SydneyVolpe I thought it was a much more meditative book, not as eventful and big as the first one, but it was interesting to see the aftermath of Paul's ending in the first book. It lost me a bit because I felt that most of the time the story wasn't going anywhere but the final two chapters won me over 🙌
I'm completley with you on the liberties they took to adapt the story! Only thing for me is that I really wish they kept in Thufir and Count Fenring cause apparently they had scenes of those characters, but maybe it would've broken the pacing.
I didn't go to the movie theater in a long time, I've never seen a movie in theater more than once. I even didn't like any of his former movies. (Well except "un 32 aout" but well). But I've seen it twice and I will go once more time. This movie is crazy.
My sister's advice on reading Herbert's original 6 books: read a summary of "God-Emperor" and/or the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, but skip reading the actual book. Its what I've done on each successive read through since. Anyway, enjoy!! Enjoyed this review so much. Cheers!
Sydney…my expectations for this movie were very high and somehow they got surpassed. Just like George said: Our parents had the OG Star Wars Trilogy, I personally was only a couple years old when the Lord of the Rings trilogy came out so I wasn’t able to experience them in theaters, DUNE IS BECOMING THE NEXT CINEMATIC SCI-FI BLOCKBUSTER TRILOGY AND I AM SO GRATEFUL, HAPPY, AND BLESSED THAT IM ABLE TO EXPERIENCE IT. i love your work and your love for the Dune franchise, it makes me even more in love with these films. Thank you Sydney! ♥️
This is a superb review! I've watched dozens after seeing the film just to see other's reaction, but yours stands head and shoulders above. Great clear, high level info. You're gonna do big things! SEE THIS MOVIE IN THE THEATERS PEOPLE! It is an EVENT!
I just got out of the Tenet rerelease (which was so effing cool!) and before the movie they showed a sneak peak of dune 2 where Paul meets up with Gurney. I had no idea they’d show a sneak peak of it and was beyond hyped!
I read Dune and Dune Messiah in high school. It instantly became my favorite book.And with the new ones I have picked up where I left off with Children of Dune. I loved the Lynch version warts and all. However Denis Villeneuve did the impossible. Never thought I would see it as popular as Star Wars on the cinematic level. I think they have to go as far Children of Dune. Those three books are like the Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock and Voyage Home of the Star Trek universe.
Really loved your angle on HYPE in general and of course appreciate your clear love for the material. Def one of my favourite storys. Subbed. Went to an IMAX Dune Double Feature last night and had my mind blown. Its WAAAAY up there for me interms of cinema going expereinces and with my love for the books and the interstial material im aware of, it just made these two, back to back something new. Havent had this movie experience until last night. (And yes!!, the he Spice Agony scene from the first book is one of my most memorable scenes, and my anticipation for it was huge... sooo good)
It's REALLLLYYYYYY hard to pick a favourite moment, but for now, it's among the Paul v Feyd fight, the entire Giedi Prime B&W section, (Lea Seydoux, my queen) and the sound design for the worms' entrance in the third act.
Seeing Dune Part Two Thursday night. I loved every one of Villeneuve’s films from Prisoners to Dune. Dune was my favorite film of 2021 and excited to see if this sequel is as great as the first. Great review as always, Sydney!
oh, i'm so excited. rewatched Dune last night in anticipation of the sequel, & i enjoyed it more with the 2nd watch. i'm in! hearing such good things, so i'm really looking foward to it & i gladly paid for my Dolby experience.
i cried at the Paul & the Shai Hulud scene. magnificent cinema. i can't wait for all of Villeneuve's Dune film-making. & i suppose now i have to read Herbert's Dune(s), too.
As someone who never read a single word of the book(s) or knew anything about this world, even with the gorgeously dense lore of this universe, it was really hard for me to get behind the direction of the plot that the first one was trying to point us towards as it spent most of it's time blindly hinting and laying the foundation for what's to come. Especially with a weaker second half and an ending that seemed to have fizzled out. However, the second one definitely changed the game for me. There was lots to unpack in this one! Took it a step further and spent more time with the characters, I grew to appreciate the old ones along with the new ones, both the protagonists and antagonists (you can definitely look at a lot of the characters as either or) ...could've definitely used more of Austin Butler's Feyd-Rautha! Absolutely terrifying!! He was my stand-out from the movie, along with Rebecca Ferguson. The second part was on another level and is definitely in the conversation of one of the top sequels of all time for me. Can't wait to go watch "Dunc" Part Two for a second time!
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review of Dune, Part 2, the tickets are in my drawer for March 1 as it opens here in Spain. We have been waiting for so long, I had no doubt it would be worth it !!!!
I saw the film and it was one of the most intense experiences in the cinema I can remember. It's really overwhelming in every sense. I connected with the scary, imposing nature of the bene gesserit plotline especially, this is the darkest adaptation of the story yet. Incredible stuff, I liked it almost as much as Blade Runner 2049. A pity it did not receive a stereo conversion... the first film and 2049 alike both benefited from being seen in 3D.
I'm reading the book now, just got up to part 3: the prophet. It's incredible, maybe I should read more. Hope to finish it before I see the film this sunday
Man this film! From the first shot to the last was a joyride. Especially since great cinema have seem to left the room recently. I seen it last Sunday and it's still stuck in my head. As soon as i have the chance i go rigth back at it.
Interesting comment about DV lacking in the emotional connection in his films. I find his films emotionally exhausting. Officer K and the giant Joi, Lousie Banks and her flashes of her dying daughter, seeing Kate gradually lose her moral identity over the course of a cross border drug operation... and dont get me started on Prisoners. I really liked your review. Think Ill subscribe.
I really enjoyed the film and your analysis. Dune Part 2 feels definitive. It’ll be a hard act to follow. I’d compare it more with SW Empire Strikes Back than LOR Two Towers, but both fall into the fantasy genre so I’ll allow it 😂. Pacing is an important aspect of epics like this. I never once felt bored during this movie. I hope Denis Villeneuve doesn’t plan on making Dune movies the rest of his career, he’s too gifted. James Cameron, which I’m sure is one of Denis’ influences, appears to be complacent with making Avatar movies the rest of his career. Which robs all of us of his gifts.
Haven't read the books. I had purchased the first book just before they announced Denis was directing, since he's like my favorite director today I decided to hold off until after seeing these two movies. He's now probably going to make Dune Messiah. I've heard people say he should combine Messiah and Children of Dune for the third movie, any thoughts on that?
Youre awesome! It was a great movie, i was so emotional throughout. The ending had me confused though... But after seeing such an amazing adaptation... I trust that Villeneuve will show us the narrow way! 😂🎉
Paul's decision making towards the end very much felt like Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia with his morality clashing with his destiny or probably more accurately his fate.
saw this last night (imax double feature!!!) and the hyperbole anxiety is so real. but every single inch of the film has simply not left my brain, that council scene with paul especially
Great video, especially with the introduction, where you talk about cinema in general a little. I really liked it, and also agree that it's a little too rushed in the later half. I'm also quite concerned for the third movie, because I want this trilogy to be good so bad. Furthermore, I hope it doesn't deviate too much from the source material, and it seems like the changes add another layer of complexity to the already very complex story. On top of that, Dune Messiah is completely different in tone and people will expect something like LOTR Return of the King which it won't be.
The biggest problem I have with Denis is his belief in deleted scenes being "dead", and therefore we'll never get to see all the stuff he filmed, but wasn't included. A full extended cut of both parts would be fantastic, and I hope Legendary/WB overrules him on this. As for Part 2, (spoilers ahead)........ I'm surprised Paul didn't use the voice all that much. It seemed to have way more importance in part 1, and was barely a thing for 2. Not having *that* character being done as she was in the book was a huge disappointment, as she was the one I was actually most excited to see. No Thufir Hawat sucks, as I greatly appreciated his character arc in the book, and it would have given him some needed honor from the hunter seeker situation in Part 1. Gurney's killing of Rabban was much too quick. I think there should have been a little more emphasis on Paul's prescience, and specifically, the fact that he has access to the female *and* male lineage after drinking the Water of Life. The movie didn't seem to too clearly demonstrate why it was so important that Paul drank it, and why it's unique for him, as a male, to do so. I remember back in around September last year, the reported runtime was about 3 hours. I kind of wish it had remained at that, and let more of the scenes stay for a bit longer, or given one of the things I mentioned some time. That said, I still loved it, and see Part 1 and 2 as one whole movie, and with the two together, I'm more willing to overlook the gripes I listed. I'm seeing Part 2 a couple more times in IMAX soon, so maybe My view on these things will be different afterwards. Still a great movie worth seeing on the biggest screen possible while you can. Still loved it. As a book fan, it's great, just wish there was a little more.
If you mean Anya Taylor Joy’s part, I think it’s the only way to make it work at all for a wide audience. It’s just one of those things that can kind of work in a book, but comes across as goofy/pulls out of the weight the film has. I did like Lynch’s dune including that character, but that movie had a lot of campiness that wouldn’t work with the rest of the tone.
@@RocketSurgn_ I've heard this as an argument against Alia being done properly, and I just don't agree, or find it compelling at all. Alia could be done wonderfully with modern movie tech, and be properly creepy as an actual toddler. It would be very strange, and off putting, as she's meant to be. And the "abomination" line at the end doesn't make any sense without her being born. Abomination is said in response to Paul telling her to be silent, which is just out of place. Missed the only opportunity here to have the real Alia in a movie. It's a shame.
And I might be the only one who felt slightly underwhelmed by Dune 2, mostly for how the action scenes were treated. I didn't come into Dune thinking they were going to be full on action movies (as I have read book 1), but for the first movie I always thought that the action scenes were handled strangely, not only were they short, but they seem to have very little substance outside of a great build up to the scene itself, they just feel empty. However the cinematography and stills that are created are incredible. I am in the minority of people who found the book's story to be just fine, which I hoped the movie adaptations would make more exciting and grand.
Loved this movie so much, 5/5, 10/10, 100/10, however you want to rate it, it’s amazing. Was on the edge of my seat the whole time, heart pounding the entire movie, what a ride. The score, the cinematography, the action, can’t say enough great things about it!
@@SydneyVolpe "Dune" and "Star Wars" are indeed related and I read "Dune" the book as a child, but you miss reality to think "Dune" is the beginning of a thread. There you are wrong, for you forget the writer Edgar Rice Burroughs. I love "Star Wars" since a child. I hated "Dune" in 1984 with Sting. I love Sting as an musician. "Dune" in 2021 is good and indeed the next movie (haven't seen it yet should be better) should be better as stopping where he becomes a Muslim but hasn't made it to Mahdi is a bit of a downer. Still the rise to the top is unlikely to surpass "Star Wars." It might be interesting in a SCI-FI film to see Islam's vision of peace, and so I am glad that "Dune" will have a part two, but I'm not holding my breath that it will make the top 100 favorite movies, but based on vision it might and that would be awesome to behold to beat what I expect. As a child when I read the book I felt it pulled from Lawrence of Arabia and Islamic culture of the Caucasus or Bedouin tribes of Arabia, but I never got the idea of Atreides being America with capitalism waning. The movie in 2021 helped me see that connection. The Fremen call Paul the Mahdi is a dead give away that this whole thing is an Islamic end times vision. Hence the dead bodies that Paul sees piling up as he fulfills his place in history, by leaving America and being a Muslim as that is how the movie ends. Here is where these three related series have fallen so far and any you don't see aren't loved enough to mention. 20) Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back (1980) 21) Star Wars: a New Hope (1977) 112) John Carter (2012) 148) Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983) 269) Dune (2021) To quote the author "I am showing you the superhero syndrome and your own participation in it." - Frank Herbert, speaking about "Dune." "A Princess of Mars," from 1912, inspired things like: Star Wars, Avatar, Indiana Jones, Superman, and Dune. "A Princess of Mars" even inspired Ray Douglas Bradbury. If you want to see a movie of it, see "John Carter" from 2012. But the main reason for me to watch Dune 2 is to see whether Zendaya Coleman surpasses female actresses I loved in the past. 10) Spiderman: No Way Home (2021) 96) The Greatest Showman (2017) 190) Spiderman: Far from Home (2019) 197) Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) 269) Dune (2021) From what I've heard the movie will not disappoint with different characters having different reads of what is happening. I am really looking forward to it and even if not a top 100 movie, I believe Zendaya will be my viewpoint of all of it. Awesome!
Spoilers if you haven’t read the book - My only complaint is that they sidelined the concept of Mentats. I mean I understand completely not getting into Piter’s twisted grossness or bringing back Thufir for no good reason, but Mentat training is a major part of Paul’s ascension as Kwisarz Haderach. He’s the product of centuries of research and development in human potential. If you don’t explain that he’s a human super computer who can predict the future (amongst everything else) then he’s just magic messiah man. Dune isn’t Star Wars, there’s no Force. It’s more rational than that despite all the weirdness.
The book is great but I think in some parts the chapters/sections the scenes are drawn out and the dialog is just too much. But there are scenes that shouldve been in there. I am 350 pages in so not having the dinner scene, or how jessica finds out about the traitor from the greenhouse using bene gesserit coding. Introducing Tuek so we know where Gurney ends up, also the drunk scene from Duncan and also how much paranoia there was for finding the traitor, never having thufir and Jessica fueding. Thats a big part of the first part that really needed to be played out. I but I like part 1 kinda just gets to the point, shows the visuals of an ancient city but that is so advance. Like ancient Mesopotamia what that would felt like. Ancient but advance in every way. Great video I watch part 2 today!
One of the best films I have ever seen! Even though there were quite a few differences from the book I still think this is the best adaptation we have gotten for Dune!
Most people not familiar with the Dune books think this is a sequel,its just part two continuation of the first book,as the first book is long, Dune Messiah the third movie will be the actual sequel.
It was actually really fun and some parts had me yelling under my breath in excitement at those really awesome moments. Felt and looked like a really well made film.
"I just started God Emperor..." - okay please record a video when you finish because that's a book that you need to talk to people about because it's WILD
The fact that Andor exist is why Dune is successful. Dune is a story that is going somewhere, shows like Andor, Obi Wan, The Mandlorian they're just spinning their wheels in place, but Dune is moving forward. We care about the characters, we care about the Fremen, we wanna see Paul rise despite the repercussions of the Holy War. Dune is escapism, Disney Star Wars is not. Plus people who don't read the book will have a surprise to look forward too. Star Wars is just headed back to a New Hope. We've seen that.
If I have to be 100% as a big book fan. I could careless about DV deciding to take characters in different directions. I have the books already, I don't necessarily need them to be on screen. All I care about in a DUNE: Messiah adaptation is a true TERRIBLE PURPOSE. A true tradegy that Paul must walk through. However, DV wants to get there is fine by me.
weird to compare Dune to Lord of the Rings as a franchise and then be shocked that a book from the 1960s is "just now getting a film series on this scale" when Fellowship is even older than Dune!
appreciate the intro because i finally got to watch it today and i loved it but still felt underwhelmed just because of everyone acting like it was the second coming of christ
