Your review of the film was excellent! I love your honesty in all of your reviews. I must add that the background of your set is my favorite of any others. I look at it while watching your videos. Hoping that your health is good!
@@CodyLeachYT hey Cody I Watch every superman and Batman classic movies I thought I was traumatised by superman IV and Batman robin ass but supergirl 1984 was the worst movie I ever saw
I really have no problem with a movie being a “middle part” or not standing completely on its own from the rest of the saga. I’ve seen this complaint trending recently (like with Across the spiderverse) and I really don’t relate with it. If a movie is great and leaves the door open for more then that excites me, it doesn’t make me wish everything was resolved right now. I enjoy a good “to be continued”. I do think the first film completed it own arc (maybe not in the most obvious and satisfying way, but I do think it did it). I don’t think it just cuts off before anything is resolved like a lot of people. If Part 2 does something similar then I’ll be good with that.
The issue is whether the movie concluded enough running story or character arcs to feel like a satisfying experience. For me, this one didn’t quite do enough for that.
@@CodyLeachYT tbh, from what I’ve heard so far this film sounds more resolved than the first book even is. It will be interesting to see what the theater experience is actually like especially considering the arc of Paul’s change seems to be covered, which is the main point of this portion of the story anyways.
@@CodyLeachYT See, I don't really get that. Would you rate The Fellowship of the Ring or the Two Towers the same way in isolation? People quickly forget that when these movies came out that a lot of movie watchers weren't happy with how they ended either. My guess is, it is just personal preference as to if you can handle a "to be continued"-feel or if that kinda endings bother you on some level. Personally I'm really looking foward to Paul's story being resolved in Dune Messiah.
@@rickymartin4457when they release Dune Messiah you’ll see where it all goes. Personally reading the books stopping at Dune Messiah is a mistake. That story takes everything in the first book and subverts everything. It also introduces new concepts that don’t get resolved until around Book 4. Not to mention, the second book is where the main theme of the book series begins. You’ll see what I mean at the end of Messiah.
One of the major differences is everyone knew the next LOTR movie was coming within a year. We waited over 3 years between Dune movies and the wait for Messiah is likely gonna be significantly longer.
Thanks for the sobering review. It's great to get a variety of perspectives - especially ones that go somewhat off script from the other critics. This feels plausible without removing my enthusiasm.
As a fan of the original book I like how that 1st movie did a good job of visually telling the story. If you're familiar with the book, you almost don't even need the dialog to know what part of the story they are at and what's going on. My first watch I was barley paying attention because it was just kinda on in the background while hanging out with some family and every time I looked up at the TV, I knew exactly what was going on. Pretty impressive they could capture that when the source material is so complex.
Agree with most everything in this review. The production values are amazing, but there are storytelling issues that stop it being a masterpiece. I feel the biggest problem with Dune Part 2 is the complete lack of serious setback or emotional stakes for the protagonist. To have almost 3 hours of film that ends in a large all-in battle, but never have a moment where it seems at all likely the protagonist is in trouble or may lose something of value is just... Poor. Paul and Chani having a child AND that child dying in the Harkonnen attack on the Sietch would have done a lot to address this... This happened in the book, but it did not happen in the movie.
As a person who’s read the books, first the ambiguity of the ending you describe is by design. Second, if Messiah is the ending of Denis’ trilogy, that’ll be a big mistake. Dune Messiah ends in a cliffhanger and introduces new plot points that are left unanswered until Book 3. Dune Messiah takes everything in different directions. Think like Matrix Reloaded. Hope that helps.
Praying we get a children of dune adaptation too if Messiah gets adapted. I'm really unsure how they would adapt God Emperor of Dune even though that's my favorite
@@camelliaharpdarkthrope6462 Yea, God Emperor of Dune would a high achievement given all the effect they'd have to do. I'm hoping for Children of Dune myself. We'll see what happens.
As someone who knows nothing about the books. I’m curious How close is part one and two to specific books? Does it adhere to 1 or 2 books or do they bring in elements from other books and mash ‘‘em together? And From what I’ve heard is messiah is the last one denis will direct but not the last of the dune films to come so I think other directors will continue from there.
@@dlaface7237 for the most part, parts 1 and 2 were pretty close, and the changes for the most part were fine for me though most purists have objected. The changes I saw in part 1 were condescending a few things to move the story along. The third act is where most of the major changes happen. But I didn’t mind them. Part 2 there were a lot of changes, but they were not for the most part bad. The Chani part was one of the most radical changes, as in the book she didn’t dissent against Paul. She understood the marriage was political. The other big change was Alia, his sister. In the book, she was born and while 2 years old, she like she was 4 and had the wisdom of a reverend mother. As such she killed the Baron, which is significant of they make Children of Dune in the future. Given that Villenueve wants to end in Dune Messiah, he seemed added a few nuggets of Dune Messiah to Part 2. I think he is playing out the story kind of like the Godfather movies, which is why I liked some of the changes. The ending though it was changed, I actually liked it. It sets the stage for a Denis ending his film series as a tragedy. There were a lot of changes, but for the most part, they didn’t alter the story. They just focused on a few things that show where he wants the story to go.
This is by far my favorite review I have seen of this film. When I rated it, I felt like I was missing something because everyone else was saying how it was a masterpiece. It made me feel like I was just a hater 😂 but watching this and seeing we had similar issues and even some more things you brought to my attention I don’t feel so crazy anymore. Keep being you Cody, no matter if I agree or disagree with your opinions, I can always see where you are coming from. I love the honest, true reviews!
I will say that I was locked in, for me it really transported me to the world and to the characters. The thing that really surprised me, it brought back some similar feelings I had the first time I saw movies like Gladiator and The Matrix, just in awe and on edge. I absolutely loved it, Everyone is important and interesting, Javier had me believing.
Chani and Paul's relationship development felt rushed and at times very jarring. One scene she's laughing at Paul, next scene she's helping him cheat his desert survival challenge. One scene she's angry at the prophecy, next scene they're kissing. Like wtf is going on? And y'all thought Anakin and Padme's love story was weird haha.
That is Denis Villeneuve fault. In the book she's not like that at all. She falls for Paul and she loves him she's ride or die person she loves Paul. I suspect Denis Villeneuve didn't want chani to be all on on Paul so he made her unbearable and unlikeable weird but that's his choice.
I think the fact that few people openly criticize this movie and instead praising it is a disservice for everyone. The movie is technically impressive but it is in no way ideal. Paul is kind of cheesy. All the intense states are kind of cheesy. Some narrative elements are not good.
But they get more time so even if they are not deep mentally you get their importance better. Like second scene of novel is Baron explaining to his nephews all plan to shank Atreides. And all this plan pays off which would be excellent surprise because thats very antiintuitive narratively
Cody reviewed added a lot to ending fight scene. I was extremely satisfied with the ending note. It's probably my fqv sci fi movie. It's nice they leave a lot left unsaid. I feel like I need to watch again, but I like how they made you use your mind and allow you to imagine some backstories yourself. It's def one pf my fav sci fi movies and the best movie I've seen in years.
I definitely agree. It made part one, which I also thought was great and made that a better film because everything that was set up in part one has at least some sort of a payoff in part 2, but Part 2 was such a great experience. Honestly the only film that I could see overtaking Dune Part 2 as my favorite film of the year by the end of 2024 is Furiosa.
Ive been a huge fan of Dune since we played one of the old computer games and watched both miniseries as kids. Then as I got older I got into the books and was very skeptical about these films going in and have been pleasantly surprised that we finally received a good full adaptation of the first novel and now people who haven't read the novels or even heard of it before can now experience it in an easier more accessible way.
I saw this at a midnight release last night and I thought it was amazing! The only thing that let it down was the moron in front of me who kept scrolling on their phone. Why would you go through the effort of going to a midnight release and then sit on your phone for half the movie?!
I really like your "Middle Chapter Syndrome" take and agree that this movie has that issue, even though I enjoyed it overall. I feel like so many sequels/series have this problem. Empire Strikes Back is a great example of a movie that can stand alone. My mind went right to The Dark Knight as a middle chapter that can stand alone also.
@@TheWeedWolverineI haven't seen killers of the flower moon, but as a huge fan of both Nolan and denis villeneuve, I definitely see dune part 2 beating out oppenheimer for the majority of people, myself included. I think both are on very equal footing quality wise, but i think dune would win out just because the quality in dune 2 is much more easy to appreciate for most people than oppenheimer. The action and pacing in dune would appeal to a broader audience in my view
Ditto. I also would have expected Oppenheimer to win above Dune Part 2 in most categories (cinematography, score, etc.). It's all subjective, of course. The scale of Dune Part 2 makes it more of a spectacle, but I think Oppenheimer was a more critical success. It did more with less.
You could always do a fan edit! Cut out all the pacing issues from Dune 1 and the first half of Dune 2. Cross cut some of the Harkonens over the first film etc. You could even pull in the Princess voice over for the first too...
I agree with almost everything you said. I enjoyed the movie as well, though I believe the first maybe better, but the hype on this is just too much. This Dune iteration will be looked at through out the three movie as one whole story and not just individually.
If this movie is the second half of the first book, then it makes complete sense that it feels unfinished. The story of Paul Atreides really is the first two books, with the second being a sort of extended epilogue and conclusion of his story. I never read the first book without immediately reading the second afterwards.
Star Wars was also not offering some characters to get to know much......Emperor was pretty much at the end of the 3rd movie. Original trilogy. Nostalgia and dune fans have a lot to speculate and talk about. That's what making certain movies or trilogies timeless.
Completely agree. I loved Part 1, but Part 2 felt strangely slower and subdued despite all the action. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time for Part 1, but actually checked my smartphone during Part 2. The characters are not very likeable and I wasn't able to connect with any of them. Some noticeable plot conveniences as well.
Agree with just about everything you said. The pacing issues made it feel longer than it was, and yet it could have used more screentime. Didn't buy the romance. Only complaint I have for your review is you keep saying Freemen, not Fremen.
I'm gonna say one thing. This is the end of this story. Dune Messiah is part of grander story but not like Dune Chapter 3. If anything its certain Dune Epilogue in a way and maybe setup for story of Children. So if I get correctly in what way you feel its not end then Dune Messiah wont be part 3 you wanted. Although maybe Dune 3 you needed
You're complaint about the middle of Dune Part Two saying that the pacing was kind of off is very similar to a problem I have with On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
I saw the movie yesterday. I have no idea what slow hour he was talking about, and the pacing is generally faster than Part 1. I thoroughly loved it, and thought it was worth every bit of time it took. If you haven't read the books, make sure you pay attention to the dialog...a lot of info comes at you in this movie. My only gripes are minor ones based on things that are missing from the book. I will see it a few more times while it will be on the biggest screens. I WILL agree with this: leave preconceptions at the door. Just go in prepared to enjoy yourself and don't take in too much liquid before you see it.
Can't speak for Cody, but I also got bored in the middle. Despite nursing an energy drink by that point. I think some bits before the introduction of Feyd-Rautha could have been slimmed down or cut out entirely. Like some outdoor camp talking and worm-riding scenes. Felt like Feyd-Rautha showed up right at the end and then the movie was over.
The first time I watched Dune 2 I was not sure. I had to watch it again. Just came back from the theater and I am going to say that Dune 2 is the best movie since The Empire Strikes Back. Of course I am a fan of the novel so maybe I am a bit bias.
I'm with you on this one Cody. I liked it but I didn't love it like most people. When I posted my 4/5 review on Twitter, some people couldn't believe I rated it anything under a 5/5. It is a cinematic achievement but not the greatest thing I've ever seen.
Going into this movie, my expectations were through the roof. I spent a week listening to every schlub online hype it up in previews. "My new favorite movie of *all* time". "MOVIE OF THE CENTURY". "BEST HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT CHOREO I'VE EVER SEEN!!11!!". And maybe that is true from their lived experience. But as a casual Dune fan, who thought Part 1 was just fine™, I left the theater a bit disappointed. When that mid-movie lull hit, I caught myself tapping my foot in the theater out of boredom. Like don't get me wrong, it's a masterfully-made movie. Epic by every metric. Stakes elevated from Part 1. But it still felt just another teaser for more things to come. The characters were certainly developing during the runtime, but the only memorable scenes (for me) were in the last ~15 mins of the movie. I wanted more, but at the same time, my ass was already cramping in my seat... Watching this movie made me feel a little crazy. I enjoyed the film, but I didn't feel like any of those superlatives matched up with what I saw. Maybe if I had watched this review before seeing the movie, my expectations would have been a lot more realistic. Oh well. Looking forward to Part 3.
Thank you for the real review, I agree on the chemistry and issues with pacing I feel like the ending was rushed for how much time is wasted on certain parts earlier on. I wish this was a 12 hour series rather than these movies leaving us dangling for 4 years at a time. Avoided reviews and went into Dune part 1 blind, was very disappointed when it was part 1/2, same thing happened when dune part 2 was clearly 2/3 rather than 2/2 :( The areas where the films are perfect (visual design & production) really amplify the flaws to me (pacing & flow).
I love these reviews... but there are 6 books for this story. Why point out that this feels incomplete? It's like reviewing Chamber of the Secrets, The Two Towers and Spiderman 2 poorly because you leave the theater feeling incomplete? It's ridiculous.
If you spend nearly 3 hours in a movie, you shouldn’t walk out feeling like so much is unresolved. The number of books is irrelevant to that experience.
This was a really good review all around and the comments on hype culture were on point. I had many similar positives and negatives as you. I want to give my thoughts on the pacing. I too liked the pacing of the first movie more. I felt that the first part had a more slower, meticulous pace, which allowed the story and characters breathe a little. This second part was way to fast for my taste, and I felt that not enough time was given for character growth (or giving any character for the new villain) or for the story to develop more naturally. I felt that the movie rushed some important moments of the story and doing that, some resolutions felt a bit meh. I would have happily seen the story of this Part 2 in two parts or as you said, an extended cut might be needed for maybe a more fulfilling experience.
The empire strikes back reference is pretty odd. What? You fine with ending with Han being in carbonite and the main cast needing to go rescue him? You fine with learning Luke is who he is and not knowing how he will deal with it? Dune should be WAY MORE isolated if they addapted it properly. Of course there is more story after. But that would be like having more story after Return of the Jedi. Dune book 1 has an ending which is way more like Return of the Jedi. I think you are just being bias because you know there are more books lol Ohh boy....if the Paul / Chani romance does not work....they did Chani wrong. Likely due to moddern things. She was not at all conflicted about Paul in the books....... Ohh....Jessica should actually be the one questioning Paul and what he is doing. I can see they likely wanted to enlarge Chani´s role and maybe went away from the original character. Chani is likely the most true supporter Paul ever had. Not from any religious point of view. Not as a fanatic. But really from the idea that she loves him and he is all she wants, no questions asked. In fact, when it gets to the end of the 1st book, you start to understand Chani is the core of their love / relationship. And its she who will do whatever for them to be a thing.
Great review Cody, I'm going into this one with very high expectations. I absolutely loved the first Dune and I'm even more excited for part two. Plus anything Denis touches is gold, so I know I'm going to love it.
When I saw this review pop up on my feed last week, I was very nervous lol I stayed away from reviews and many previews because I was so excited for this film. I definitely want to see at least one more Dune. I’m excited for it to hit streaming/on demand so I can watch both films consecutively. I feel like that’s the best way to watch. I wouldn’t even be opposed to them re-releasing the first film and watch a double feature. Will they? Probably not. But it would be great!
It's a mix of universes: Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men), Josh Brolin and Dave Bautista (MCU), Dave Bautista and Leah Seydoux (Spectre)
I 100% agree with the pacing critique, the pacing is all over the place. It's almost like Denis has no idea how to cross cut narratives to engage an audience. It feels like, 20 mins here, now 15 mins here, now 10 mins with this character... I feel the dream flashbacks/forwards really add to the pacing stretch, we see the same foreshadowing 3 times with the same shots... The dialogue was often quite poor, a lot of it is directly ripped from Lynch's Dune (I don’t know if it's ripped from the books). The dialogue either states precicely what the narrative needs, or has little to no resonance. Christopher Walken ends up playing Christopher Walken which is distracting. Visually, the film is a spectacle, the audio is utterly superb. I will watch this again and I love the world building. Im looking forward to part 3. Even with my criticisms, I'll take this over Star Wars any day of the week!
Your overall consensus is on point. This movie has been a little too overhyped. It's great. Very well made. But it's not the perfect, God send of a film that many of the hardcore fans are making it out to be. By no means bad. Just very good. Not "perfect". I actually find it ironic cause the fans calling this movie "perfect" and freaking out over it in some ways resemble the fanatical beliefs of the Fremen who unwaveringly believe Paul is the prophesied Lisan al-Gaib. Just an observation 🤷♂ life imitating art and what not.
I never heard of this movie, just walked in and saw part 2. I thought it was pretty good. I was rooting for the crazy looking bald guy to win the final one on one battle lol
Hey man huge fan of yours for a long time now made me want to be a film critic or strive to be one I’m slowly making fans on tiktok and it’s all bc of you, you inspired me to be a film critic bc I love movies and I love your reviews and your hot takes also 😂, so thank you so much and your reviews are great as always and rock on Cody 🤘🏻also I was first comment :) lol 😂
I appreciate reviewers who try to stay out of the hype and give their honest opinion. Movie reviews tend to snowball into the same direction, so it's nice to see that (while you enjoyed it) you have a more sober review. When I start hearing people slob a movie's knob I just roll my eyes. Every once in a very long while a movie comes out that surprises me, but the rest land somewhere between "pretty enjoyable" and "no thank you" for me.
Rules of Internet reviews: Each new movie is either the greatest or biggest 💩 Of All Time No movie is average If it is not the GOAT, in a positive way, the studio is DOOMED.
Very solid review! I personally disagree with the pacing issue, felt like the 2h45mins flew by like a 2h movie. Loved it so much but I'm gonna wait a bit before saying it's the second coming of Jesus lol
I wish they would just green light a trilogy and stop dancing around making a film and not knowing where they will go from there. same problem with star wars. sort of the same problem with the batman. when they finished the batman, it was up in the air if there will be a sequel.
i love the Dune books, part one i felt like was great and i enjoyed it but deffinetly not the type of movie i personally like (its not Rambo, The Raid or The Extraction) looking forward to seeing part 2 but i still feel like the story doesn't work as well for me in movie form as it did in print
I like the point at the end but I would take it one step further and state the opposite as well. Don’t let what other people say put you to high or to low on a movie. Go into any movie with tempered mindset. Then you have decided for yourself whether a movie was life changing or complete garbage.
Dune, the novel, also felt incomplete to me. A lot of plot is wrapped up but the last part feels like the beginning of something else. I hope there is a Dune Messiah film made because I didn't like reading Dune enough to continue in the books.
Yeah I’m curious to see what the experience in the theater is really like. Because if the story feels “complete” at this stage in Paul’s arc then something has likely gone very wrong in translation. I can’t help but think what ppl may be experiencing as incomplete is the fact that it’s not a traditional happy ending
I appreciate you sharing that this is a middle chapter. I for sure thought this would be the end and IF a part 3 was made it would be an epilogue. Tapered my expectations.
@14 min mark. Can you say the same thing about mostly great movie trilogies, especially those based on books. Lord of the rings, John wick.l, pirates of the caribbean all have middle films that feel like dune 2
The lead did ok as Paul but he is not a leading man in my mind. And it was kinda crazy that they kept doing the same gorilla war tactics and winning. Every time Paul did that mutant yelling thing had me dying 😂
The way legendary has managed how many movies this franchise will have has been annoying. Like with dune part one I though I would see the whole story in one movie until I was on the theater and I saw the banner “part one”. What? I think I missed the trailer where they say how many installments this story will have.
I thought Tim Chalamet played really well as a young prince in the first Dune. But he comes out a little too bratty when he tries to play a messiah in my opinion.
The ending fight kind of confused me a bit with how Paul took two stabs yet one killed his cousin lol other than that nit pick I thought it was definitely a fun watch. Great review man!
I think you're right. I remember after final exams, a group of us would go to lunch then watch LOTR. It was a real treat at the end of each year they were released. Almost 20 years later, a group of us got together after work to have dinner and watch Dune 2. Unfortunately, we couldn't have that experience with Dune 1 because of Covid.
The book does feel pretty open at the end because of how quickly everything comes together and ends. Thats why many say that Dune: Messiah feels like an epilogue.
Exactly my thought. The first Dune book really feels like it has a definite end. Either they changed things in the movie to make it feel more like it's going to be a trilogy. Or maybe Cody is just saying that because he's already heard there's talk of a third film. I don't agree with that about Star Wars, most of us have already seen all the parts, so it's easy in retrospect to say that Empire stands on its own two feet when there are a lot of unresolved threads in that movie. One of the biggest cliffhangers in film history, for example.
I think it was because denis wanted to keep true to Frank Herbert’s story because many people misinterpreted Herbert’s ending and that was one of the main reasons he wrote dune messiah. Denis also said this in an interview
In your spoiler review, can you talk about what specifically you weren’t satisfied with at the end? I’m just curious as a book fan because the next book takes place 12 years later, so this is the end of this era in the series. The next movie won’t be a direct continuation like Return Of The King.
Basically it just felt less like an ending and more like something was beginning. Again, if I watched it knowing this was just the middle chapter it may not have bothered me as much.
Seen it. Got to be honest I nodded off twice. Erm found it dragged and dull. Lots of visions and desert. Action was really all in the trailers. Only thing they kept hidden was the Emperor stuff!
Great review . The first book ,dune should have been adapted into a trilogy . The story is so vast and then there could be a pause before starting a movie for messiah. It looks like the studio were not happy to make dune a trilogy.
I'm glad you are not one of those RU-vid critics that seems to jump on the hype bandwagon once a movie gets released. I have no anticipation for the film because I already know how it will play out and I just think it's heavily miscasted.
