Dune 2 aka Cinema Part 2

Second review and it's the sequel of course! Dune Part 2 is a hard one to review. But... this movie is just so so so so good. It's not even fair to other big blockbusters that this one is so good. This movie is a second part adaptation of the hit book "Dune", written by Frank Herbert. While the first part was quite good, this second part delivers a more balanced and exciting movie overall, while also concluding the events of the first Dune book. Some people know already going in I'll be discussing adaptation, as I have read bits and pieces of the book. That being said, here's my review!

PLOT: Flows well, changing what needs to change.

This movie, in order to function not only as a part two but also as a movie, had to change quite a bit going in. For starters, it's very clear that they're planning a third movie adapting Messiah. The ending inferences as much. However, unlike adaptations that make unnecessary changes to complicate and build a plot with filler, this film wisely adds while not taking away by changing character. A large part of the final chapters of the book are completely changed, but in a clever way that not only builds suspense but cleverly makes this film stand on its own. It takes place only minutes or days after the previous film and doesn't try to do jumps or cuts into the future. Instead, it takes its time to build the trust between the Fremen and Paul, only for the ending to tragically show how far gone the Atreides are. It's suspenseful and engaging the whole way through.

CHARACTERS: Powerful and beautifully written.

This film echoes the ideas of a Shakespearean tragedy, with Paul falling into the fate he tried to keep himself away from by trying to avoid it. Fate becomes truth because he tries to avoid it. It's tragic, especially in the tale of Chani, a loyal lover until he begins to fall to the dark side. They change her character dramatically by the end, but it works beautifully because it's realistic. She isn't some obedient servant of the prophecy, she's just someone trying to save her people from oppression. She's by far the most compelling as a result of these changes. Paul's mother, Jessica, also becomes more of an enabler in this movie as a result of her mind being afflicted by the Water of Life. Every character in this movie is beautifully acted and necessary to the plot. No one character feels unnecessary or even weakly-written. It's a balanced movie that knows how to endear you to its many characters and how to build its lore proper.

SHOTS: Greig Fraser, y'all.

I've sung his praises before and will sing them again. Master of the Volume tech and cinematographer of the 1st part, but also The Batman, Rogue One, and Zero Dark Thirty; all movies with incredible cinematography and this movie is no different. This film, despite having a primary color mix of tan and brown, looks amazing, constantly engaging you with beautiful shots and imagery that looks straight out of a graphic novel. It's gorgeous to look at all the way through.

SOUND: Hans Zimmer doing his best work.

The composer, Hans Zimmer, is mostly known for Christopher Nolan movies such as his Dark Knight trilogy or Inception most infamously. However, here, he delivers a constant escalation of the movie's many emotions, from sadness to proud to happy to the epic sweeping shots that make you feel insignifcant. He's never once slacking in delivering the emotion of the scene and has made this soundtrack purely iconic.

WRITING: Lot of it from the book!

Since most of the writing comes from the book or is a modernized adaptation of the book, it's generally very good as a result! However, it does leave a bit of confusion for anyone who doesn't watch the first movie in the dark. It's especially hard to follow as an independent movie, but combined with the first part, this movie has absolutely stellar writing that connects you to the characters and makes you feel immersed in the entire galaxy of Dune.

LITTLE THINGS: The changes (SPOILERS!!!)

An entire part of this story was recontextualized by the change in the timeline of this movie and it works so so well. Rather than building up time with the Fremen, they're only there for a few months. This means that Chani and Paul never have a kid, Alia isn't born yet nor is involved in the story at all minus a cameo, and that the ending focuses on the war beginning as Chani refuses to ally with the potential psychopath she just put into power. The big change in the timeline results in the film going its own path and is handled very well.

VERDICT: A masterpiece only done in by being a two-parter.

Yeah, my only gripe is it being a two-parter resulting in me taking away a half-point for purely reason of confusion over events from the previous movie. It's still a fantastic movie and an experience I think everyone should've seen on the big screen if possible. If it's still in your theatre, go watch it now. If you haven't, you're missing out on this undoubtful masterpiece.

SCORE: 9.5/10, Dune Agenda, baby.