“Dune: Part Two” Reactions: A Modern-Day Sci-Fi Masterpiece
The first reactions for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two are swelling across the internet from critics like so many sandworms across the country. The overall gist? Dune: Part Two delivers in a major way.
Villeneuve and his co-writer Jon Spaihts had boldly decided way back when they were working on the first film to break Frank Herbert’s colossal, iconic source material into two parts. That meant they left a lot of meat on the bone and many of Herbert’s most thrilling set pieces and action sequences for the second film. Now that critics have seen the film and are able to share their reactions online, it looks as if the tactic has paid off.
The second installment picks up where Villeneuve’s first film left off, with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), relying on the desert-dwelling Fremen to help them survive the brutal dunelands of Arrakis and help them plot their revenge against their enemies, which include House Harkonnen and, possibly the leader of the entire galaxy, Emperor Saddam IV (Christopher Walken, a new addition).
After a long wait, Dune: Part Two is finally upon us, coming to theaters on March 1, with its stars, including Chalamet, Zendaya, and newcomers Florence Pugh and Austin Butler, finally able to promote the film. The cast also includes returning stars Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Dave Bautista as Rabban Harkonnen, and Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Mohiam. Newcomers joining Walken, Pugh, and Butler include Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot and Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli.
Let’s take a quick peek at what some critics say. Dune: Part Two arrives in theaters everywhere on March 1:
#DunePartTwo is a giant epic, a masterclass of crafts from Greig Fraser’s exceptional photography to Patrice Vermette’s magnificent world building. Denis Villeneuve has delivered his magnus opus directing one of the best sci-fi films for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/Vvfs8YeFIi
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) February 15, 2024
Having watched #DunePartTwo, I can say I have ridden a sandworm. It’s a magical experience, and the faithful adaptation fans have been waiting for (albeit w/ some smart changes). A fascinating examination of zealotry & postcolonial politics wrapped in a breathtaking blockbuster. pic.twitter.com/pCWqBCbtNb
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) February 15, 2024
Arguably Denis Villeneuve’s magnum opus, #DunePartTwo is a masterpiece.
Throwing you right into the action, it is totally immersive, gripping, and ultimately devastating. Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya have never been better.
Just truly remarkable filmmaking – I’m in awe 👏 pic.twitter.com/r6DcSdXgQ8
— Emily Murray (@EmilyVMurray) February 15, 2024
Blown away by #DunePartTwo. Found it even more immersive, tactile and emotional than Part One. The clarity, heft and scale of the action is staggering. For me, the whole occupies a rarified place alongside The Lord of the Rings as the definitive version of a seminal text.
— Jordan Farley (@JordanFarley) February 15, 2024
#DUNEPartTwo is a monumental cinematic achievement. Greater than Part I on a narrative, technical, & thematic level, Villeneuve delivers with grander ambition aided by an extraordinary, morally complex performance from Timothee Chalamet
The first MUST SEE blockbuster of the year pic.twitter.com/jVEkDQsS74
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz) February 15, 2024
#DunePartTwo is SPECTACULAR. Villeneuve delivers a sweeping, majestic, epic journey into beautiful worlds that looks/feels/sounds astounding. Uniformally superb cast w/Chalamet impressing again, Rebecca Ferguson incredible. Cinema on its grandest scale. @warnerbros @dunemovie pic.twitter.com/55aJ5fEB0X
— Scott J. Davis (@scottwritesfilm) February 15, 2024
#DunePartTwo/ #Dune2 is jaw-dropping, breathtaking & wildly exhilarating. It’s an adrenaline rush to the head & heart, soaring in its spectacle-driven action sequences as much as it sings in its refined, evocative stillness.Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya turn in singular work. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/I2TWLL39fg
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) February 15, 2024
#DunePartTwo is MASTERFUL filmmaking on an epic scale. Denis Villeneuve marries gripping character development to vast, sweeping cinematic visuals. And the cast evolves in their roles. I slightly prefer the simpler DUNE to this complex chapter, but still, a towering achievement. pic.twitter.com/qIFaeshZyW
— Sean O’Connell (@Sean_OConnell) February 15, 2024
#DunePartTwo is not only Denis’s magnum opus; it’s the definitive sci-fi epic of a generation. A tragic tale of blind fanaticism & corruption. A spectacular, soulful, awe-inspiring masterclass of aesthetics & mood beautifully echoing Paul’s turbulent journey. Left me speechless! pic.twitter.com/Vw61IKIGWr
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) February 15, 2024
Denis Villeneuve sticks the landing with #DunePartTwo, a fascinating, terrifying character study told on a gloriously grand sci-fi scale.
Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya are INCREDIBLE in it, the set pieces are jaw-dropping, & the supporting cast elevates all the rest. It’s great. pic.twitter.com/bjJZJYSFvN
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) February 15, 2024
Featured image: Caption: (L-r) TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides and AUSTIN BUTLER as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise