Chaotic review incoming! Wow, it’s been a WHILE since I reviewed a movie, but I’ve come out of hibernation to review the much anticipated Dune: Part Two. My initial impression of Dune: Part One was: ‘for a movie that is mainly standing around, it’s a masterpiece.’ Despite my lack of experience with the source material, and my lack of reason for loving the first, I knew I had to see the second instalment on opening night. Which is exactly what I did! I’m glad I did because Dune: Part Two is categorically better than the first! Read on for my full review, potential mild spoilers with a dose of chaos! Enjoy!
Dune: Part Two picks us where the previous finished, Denis Villeneuve giving us one continuous story, no flashbacks or memory trickers included. Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem are joined by Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken and Anya Taylor-Joy, the perfect all-star cast. The films stands at the 2h 45m mark, yet it flies by, the film perfectly balancing quiet moments with high stakes action. At times, you’ll feel the need to read the book, if only to gain some context, but once you let go of having to understand every little moment, when you suspend disbelief you’ll find yourself captured by the film. That is the real power of Villeneuve’s style, pure and complete escapism.
Chalamet delivers a powerful performance as Paul Atreides, in the first film he was a little bland, but as Paul develops, Chalamet radiates power. So much power, that at times it leaves you feeling a little awkward, questioning what direction his story will take. Zendaya’s Chani luckily has more screen time, she’s just beginning to shine by the end of the film, leaving us with a promise of more to come. Butler and Pugh give faultless performances, yet both deserved more screen time. However, it is Ferguson who steels the show with her terrifyingly mystic portrayal of Lady Jessica, she gave me chills more than once. With a cast this full of talent, a cast that have portrayed high profile roles recently, if you are anything like me, you’ll find yourself thinking ‘Thanos is talking about Oppenheimer style weapons’ and ‘is Butlers accent still a little bit Elvis?’ But overall, that does not detract from the movie, or their performances.
Beyond the characters, the visuals and Hans Zimmers’ score come together perfectly in the creation of Arrakis. Beautifully capturing the desert and the life within it. Despite the films beige colour palette it’s anything but dull, the way the film plays with light and depth is stunning. The only thing the film lacked for me was scale, the combination of locations rather limited. Cinematographer Greig Fraser does a wonderful job of framing Chalamet as his power grows, as his influence strengthens the sweeping shots of him surround by Fremen, often shooting him from behind. Similar shots are used for Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen as we see his rise to power. It’s exhilarating to watch!
Overall Dune: Part Two is a cinematic triumph, a feast for the eyes, escapism for the mind and performances exuding emotion. The film encapsulates the decent into power, a power that skirts the line between saviour and villain. One question I do have is: why is that one guy always in a bath? Does he really need to soak that much? I plan to read the books before Dune: Part Three if only to answer that question! Go watch Dune: Part Two where it was intended to be watched - at the cinema!
Let me know what you think in the comment!
Thank you for reading - I won’t leave it this long between reviews again xx
Comments
Post a Comment