Hope you enjoy my spoiler-filled video essay for Denis Villeneuve's Dune Part 2. I have a biggest questions video going up this weekend, so stay tuned for more on the film!
If audiences "loved Dune Part 2" and "this is the lord of the rings of our time" why it never is going to gross $900 million? The answer is simple: Because AUDIENCES DID NOT LOVE DUNE PART 2. I was in the opening night, a lot of people saying "WTF?" and the ending... I never have seen CINEMASCORE's people in an opening night. NEVER. The truth is that people liked Dune Part 2 (like me) but DID NOT LOVE AT ALL. This is not "the most important trilogy of our time" at all, people are saying this are fooling themselves as Dune Messiah is a huge letdown as a book and as a narration. Dune Part 2 almost had no emotion. Perhaps 1 minute of screentime... It looked like a movie made by a robot and I'm pretty sure that the Avatar films are much better, emotionally and even visually, as I can see everything due the cinematography is not a dark mess (sometimes) like Dune 1 & 2. Meanwhile film critics, the media and the academy making the huge mistake to reward these 2 Dune movies even if there are moments that nobody feel nothing as nobody could not watch anything due a bad lit cinematography. Continue to cheat people...
Was lucky enough to watch both Dune part one and two back to back as a DOUBLE FEATURE in IMAX. Totally mind blowing immersive experience. If you can, do it. It’s the best way to see it… as one film.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
This movie floored me. Now belongs in my top 10 Sci Fi movies of all time. Ill even go as far to say when this trilogy is said and done it will be just as great as the LOTR trilogy with ease. Austin Butler and Javier Bardem were obvious standouts for me.
Agree. Javier Bardem is tops. Really the only fully fleshed out character that I can also root for. And by far most fleshed out character in movie even though we spend far more time with other characters. That'd be called acting. He, Javier, is taking his secondary character and through his acting, telling you more than what his lines say. Great job.
Don’t think I’ve felt this level of immersiveness and theater experience since Interstellar. That says a lot of what Denis accomplished. Zimmer once again also. Absolute masterpiece of a film! Can’t stop thinking about it. Deserves a rewatch in theater
I saw it yesterday and it's my generations LOTR Return of rhe King, Lawrence of Arabia, Apocalypse Now, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Ben Hur. Everyone is at their A Game and i was just in awe and grinning at times. 10/10 I'm gonna watch it again in imax next weekend.
Just watched this on opening night, I'm still catching my breath from it, that was an experience of a lifetime. Easily one of the best movies I have ever seen
I've seen it last night. I still cannot find my jaw. It was absolutely glorious, it blew my mind out of the cinema. Denis Villeneuve is arguably one of the best cinematographers of our age. It's a must-watch! In the cinema on the biggest screen available.
It was one of the best movies I’ve ever watched. I just love/hate where it ended us off at with Chani riding into the sunset emotional, I didn’t want it to end there I could have sat and watched another 2 hours easily. I wonder how Denis will reconnect them in the next film which now we will have to wait a eternity for hopefully I’m a live to watch please 😭
One of the best things about the movie is that it doesn't give out too much story by exposition but instead it shows us and it doesn't insult the audience intelligence
Watched it yesterday, I'm still floored by what I saw and will be thinking about it for the next few weeks and months... Truly one of the greatest cinematic achievements of our time, great video essay! Keep up the Dune content 🔥
Book fans expect a 7 hour word for word retelling for everything. While I think there were some things that were shrunk down, many of the character changes were improvements imo. Book Chani being so complacent always felt weird to me and I enjoyed Jessica being more sinister in the film
I'm a feature-film screenwriter & director and have adapted novels to movies many times. Denis Villeneuve is brilliant at it. When one adapts a novel to the screen it cannot be a direct transposition of the work. Novels unfold using only Words - delivering the story by way of dynamic explanations, vivid description (pictures in the mind), intriguing plot development, and rich dialogue. Movies unfold using images (pictures on the screen), visual action enhanced by music, and character development (intriguing because of the actor), which is often shown through dialogue (which is succinct and essential to the plot). Novels are like a Play. Films are like an Opera. Liberties MUST be Taken to turn one into the other.
I was a closet nerd from 1983 - 1989, but not even I could handle the cheese level that overpowered my friends and I at the premiere of Dune in 1984. My cover was almost exposed and I suffered much ridicule for many days after that weekend and much abuse and my reputation as a cool dude was severly tainted thanks too making my friends suffer over acting cheese levels that were epic in proportions for three hours. Still havent seen part 2 yet, but serious redemption since Denis brilliantly made Dune Part 1 BADASS. Oh if he was only there to rescue me in 1984 but one can imagine. .❤❤❤❤
Phenomenal review on this incredible work of art known as "Dune". As I sat in the theater I considered what Mr Herbert would be thinking if he could view this amazing tribute, hoping it is an acceptable tribute. Thank you for this.
When Paul enters that southern fremen temple like an absolute boss and they are all like "It's him! Space Jebuz!" Was my fave scene. Timothee was great. Everyone was.
I am a fan of the books and have read many of them, including Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune. The changes in the movie did not bother me, as they helped with the overall storyline. I especially liked the main theme being covered so thoroughly- the dangers of the prophetic figures in history and the impact they can have on the masses. Also, religious/spiritual fanaticism that can blind people to seeing the truth clearly or sometimes at all (we see this in many cults over time). The movie left me sad, especially knowing the story of Paul`s children and their sacrifices to complete the Golden Path. Overall, great experience and adaptation.
I do wish we had seen more from Thuffir and Denis' take on the mentats. However, without the "Jessica is the traitor" plot being setup in part 1 there really is no point to him being in part 2. The point of Thuffir as a character is that perfect logic means nothing if you have bad data.
That's a big compliment, thank you :) There's so many great channels out there that have done a fantastic job with this adaptation of Dune. Love watching them!
Your section, Changes Mean A Perfect Ending, is the best analysis of how the changes Villeneuve makes to the narrative of the novel sharpens the focus of Herbert's central thesis - the anti-heroic journey and the dangers of blindly following a charismatic political/religious figure - which makes for a more cohesive and powerful presentation of this idea in the film. The gasps from the audience when Paul seemingly betrays Chani at the end of the film told me that a). the audience understood the choice Paul struggled with throughout the film, and b). the audience understood fully the repercussions of the choice he eventually made. Great analysis, and really enjoyable video. How many times can anyone say that the entire audience understood the complexity of what they were watching in a thinking-person's blockbuster? I've never seen this level of comprehension before. This is thanks to Villeneuve and Spaihts, and the incredible work of all involved in bringing this masterpiece to life. Oh, and you've won my subscription as well ... 😉
Couldn't agree more. The movie was absolutely epic in every way. One of the most incredible movie experiences I've ever had. I will go see it as many times as I can before it leaves the theater.
Masterpiece is being thrown around lightly in todays times. It was definitely a good movie, visually beautiful. Parts felt rushed, especially the third act. With that said its a movie that i will be watching again.
@alexanderekubo538 I think another 15 minutes would have been just right. The battle scene & the two 1 v 1 fights and of the end of the movie was wrapped up in 30 minutes lol.
Spot on. I think if there is a Dune 3, Paul's child with Chani should appear. The change/loss in Paul's humanity is a contrast to his child's growing humanity and the emotional distance he and Chani share. Dune 2 is a masterpiece and I have to see it again.
I've never read the book and thought part 1 was a decent movie. I didn't know what to expect in part 2 and was quite surprise how good it is. a 10/10 for me, ranked as one of the best sci-fi movie I have seen. Can't wait for part 3.
Beautiful film. The acting and writing between Timothee and Zendaya was subpar but absolutely electric between everyone else. Sound design was second to none. Experiencing this in IMAX was breathtaking. Not looking forward to waiting 3+ years for the next film.
Ive been going to the movies with my wife for 18 years. Seen Avatar 1 and 2 in the theaters we seen Dark Knight together. RomComs, You name it. Ive seen her laugh, cry. Hate movies etc! I've never seen her leave a movie holding back tears processing on the eay home. DUNE 2 was one of the best movies I've ever seen. Going back for IMAX!
This is the Star Wars of our time what a breath of fresh air!! It was amazing to see a full theater for once since the lockdowns and this movie brought the feels all the way through bravo!
Early on the film Paul was all for swaying the Fremen for vengeance and then within five minutes he's like. Nope, I just want to learn to live like one.
This is the only movie in my lifetime that I will be paying to see for a second time. I was so invested in every character. It was just brilliant and so powerful. I don't know if this can ever be topped for me.
Highly recommend watching Dune 1 the night before you see Dune2! 🔥 Dune1 was way better the 2nd time around, I’d forgotten everything that happened & the lore & story make Dune 2 even better.
The CGI was so good, it didn’t look like CGI. That to me is the whole point of using it. CHI is meant to enhance what’s already there and yet the FVX dept. & the amazing cinematographer who also did blade runner 2049, did it 3x now. This movie was not just beautifully written but I was in AWE at what I was seeing on screen.
I have read the books, and I no longer go to the movies with that being said I love Dune Pt 1 which I watched on my 64 inch TV and I will watch Dune Pt 2 the same way. I love the way you narrate your views of these movies. Unlike everyone else I seen who narrate with a buts included. You truly see what Villeneuve was shooting for. This is his interpretation of the books and I like it. I find no negatives, this is fantasy at it best and I am here for it.
Just saw it. It was very well done. It felt more like The Godfather 2 than Empire. I did like most of the changes as they made since. The ending definitely was a good Segway to the next movie.
I went home loving that movie so much my heart beat fast and exitedly while watching it and just thinking about it I just started watching the dune movies I am done but this is become my favorite series easily
I absolutely enjoyed this film, though I don't think I'd consider it overall a masterpiece (but on a technical level it absolutely is). Maybe because I read the book, lol. I think the reason why so many purists of the book are a bit underwhelmed and confused by some changes in the film compared to the book is because we were expecting Part 2 to be an almost 1-for-1 adaptation of the 2nd half/lastThird of the book and that Villeneuve would finish his stint with Dune with Part 2, when in reality it seemed his plan all along was to make it a trilogy and include Messiah as its 3rd act, so I'm guessing some of the changes and plot threads that were left unresolved in Part 2 will be more relevant for the presumed Part 3. If one looks at it from that perspective, I feel better about the film and its changes. Surely lots of people probably felt the same way when Empire Strikes Back came out as they didn't expect it to be the middle act of a trilogy, and now it's considered arguably the best Star Wars film and one of the greatest sequels ever.
@@kylegadson4855 If this were a TV show, I bet we could have had a whole episode or two dedicated to the origins of the empire or the current emperror.
Cinematography melding with special FX seamlessly, sound design--I agree: masterpiece. Editing, which also relates to directing: not so much. Pacing uneven. Non-sensical ground attack on spice collector made non-sensical once we show them and firefly copters blasted from distance. They all head south together on sandworms, headed for same place, but don't arrive together. And Chani arrives via a dragonfly copter and we have no idea how they commandeered one. Last we saw she was on a sandstorm. Paul's final full embrace of power is a quick switch. He can now see all possibilities so he goes for it without trying to convince Chani that this is the way. We in the audience too must just ride along with him and trust it. Too many times I had things that didn't make clear sense and I was left to just go with it. That is not good story telling. At its best, Part 2 was better than Part 1. As a whole, part 1 was better than part 2.
I liked this movie enough to go watch it again on a bigger IMAX screen. I think it's one of the best scifi films I have ever seen. It was emotionally satisfying with epic cinematography and fantastic action. My 3.5 quibbles are: the editing in the beginning was too quick, especially during the transition to the emperor and the princess. Zendaya is so out of her acting league, when she screams something like "I'm doing it for MY people not for him!" I just about laughed out loud at her amateurish delivery. (Also, that heavy breathing during her big battle scene: rolls eyes) The Harkonnens and especially the Sardaukar were totally nerfed in this this film. The only Fremen I remember dying were shot down from an ornithopter during the first spice harvester attack. I don't remember any dying in hand to hand combat. I want the Fremen to always be training in the background of every scene. Or show some other way that they become "unstoppable desert warriors" besides just sitting around all the time.
One of the best things to come out of dune becoming popular is finding out all the strange and bizarre ways people pronounce some of the dune terminology 😂
JUST SAW IT. I'M STILL TRYING TO FIND WORDS. I TRIED TALKING ABOUT IT COMING OUT OF THE THEATER, IT WAS MOSTLY HYPER EXCITED YAMMERING. I'M STILL KINDA IN A MILD SHOCK FROM IT. I KNEW THE STORY, I READ IT WHEN I WAS 22, AND I READ DUNE MESSIAH, AND I READ CHILDREN OF DUNE. NOT FROM THE STORY IMPACT ( WHICH IS THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION STORY I HAVE EVER READ), JUST IN HOW EXTREMELY WELL THE MOVIE WAS DONE..... DIRECTING, ACTING, EFFECTS, SCREENPLAY, CINEMATOGRAPHY. IT WAS A FULL BATTERY OF PERFECTION, AND IT PACKED A MAMMOTH PUNCH. HANS ZIMMERS SCORE WAS MESMERIZING. I HAVE TO SEE IT AGAIN. GONNA BE A LOT OF AWARDS FOR THIS ONE.
Loved it but can’t elevate to LOTR heights - battles great but not as Epic or relatable to the non fans. On the review, you nailed the standout performances but I thought Javier Bardem added much levity to an intense story
If audiences "loved Dune Part 2" and "this is the lord of the rings of our time" why it never is going to gross $900 million? The answer is simple: Because AUDIENCES DID NOT LOVE DUNE PART 2. I was in the opening night, a lot of people saying "WTF?" and the ending... I never have seen CINEMASCORE's people in an opening night. NEVER. The truth is that people liked Dune Part 2 (like me) but DID NOT LOVE AT ALL. This is not "the most important trilogy of our time" at all, people are saying this are fooling themselves as Dune Messiah is a huge letdown as a book and as a narration. Dune Part 2 almost had no emotion. Perhaps 1 minute of screentime... It looked like a movie made by a robot and I'm pretty sure that the Avatar films are much better, emotionally and even visually, as I can see everything due the cinematography is not a dark mess (sometimes) like Dune 1 & 2. Meanwhile film critics, the media and the academy making the huge mistake to reward these 2 Dune movies even if there are moments that nobody feel nothing as nobody could not watch anything due a bad lit cinematography. Continue to cheat people...
Possibly the best movie I've watched in theaters. Interstellar is still better scifi & best scifi movie ever made but this is best action-scifi movie ever made for sure.
Nah star wars is still king interstellar was superb and part one dune film is better. The second has a much larger scale however and from a cinema perspective the visuals are better. The first one to me was next to flawless overall
Interstellar? Give me a break. Most overrated sci-fi movie possibly ever made. The only part about it that was interesting was the black hole. Everything else is totally forgettable. Dune destroys it easily.
Dune Part 1 and 2 are easily better than Star Wars. Star Wars stole from Dune anyway. SW wouldn't even exist without it. It does everything SW does, but better, with more complex characters.@@rwells3325
I feel like we will get Chani pregnant and running from Paul because of what he did at first. It broke my heart to see how she felt at the end because I feel like she thinks she lost Paul.
6/10 for me. Visually spectacular, some great battle scenes, but not the payoff many are making out due mainly to some directorial decisions on character portrayals and overly forced religious themes.
Just saw it today I think it's a Masterpiece as well was super immersed like no other its way better then the first dune. Timothy was unbelievable in the movie this is he's Best. Everyone was very good