One perk of having a blog like this where I review movies a lot? I don’t have to stick to ranking horror movies! I can review whatever I want! And after watching Dune, both Part 1 and Part 2, it’s basically all I want to talk about.

So let’s talk.

Background

With a movie (and hopefully a trilogy) like Dune, the background matters. There are nuances to this already-nuanced story, and the context of the first and second movies matters a lot. Everyone approaches films differently and brings different ideas to the table, so here’s mine: I look for “big” theater movies.

I never read the Dune books and didn’t know much about them. I never saw Dune: Part 1 in theaters. My wife and I watched it on Hulu last weekend and then went to see Part 2 in theaters. (On a school night! Wild choice, honestly.)

We made this choice because there’s nothing like the experience of a great movie in a good theater. With all the hype around Part 2, I couldn’t miss the chance to see it on the big screen. And I’m so glad I went. (If you don’t want to read my Part 1 review, skip down to Part 2, because that’s the good stuff.)

One last warning: I’m a big Star Wars fan, so there will be lots of Star Wars comparisons, especially to the prequel trilogy. (Which I like a lot. Sorry, all you haters.) But I think I have something new to offer to this conversation.

Lastly, Dune continues a pattern recently where there have been some astounding and incredible new films, so I keep that context in mind, too. It’s been a wonderful few years for people who like good movies, especially the blow-your-mind type, such as Oppenheimer. And this definitely continues the run.

Dune Part 1: 8.2/10

Overall Thoughts:

So we’ll start with Dune: Part One. Right now, it’s available on Hulu, but that stuff changes too often and is hard to keep up with.

I came away from this movie with two overall thoughts. 1) Denis Villeneuve is a master filmmaker. 2) This movie felt weirdly similar to Oppenheimer. Let me explain.

The first point is pretty self-evident. Denis Villeneuve is a genius. He had already earned my trust with Bladerunner 2049, which I enjoyed thoroughly, but Dune really takes things to another level. There’s still breathtaking cinematography, but the worldbuilding is on another level and he’s got such a great cast of people around him. Not only the actors, like Timothee Chalamet, who seriously blew my mind. But also the artists and Hans Zimmer (who does not miss.) Just a masterclass in film-making.

I do think, at times, the cinematography left a little to be desired, but the movie makes up for this in other ways. The dialogue is stronger than I expected. The character development is only just beginning, in terms of the series, but already hooks me. And a few scenes with Timothee Chalamet absolutely stunned me. The tent scene with his mom… it hasn’t left my head for days.

The second point is tougher to explain. Why does this film give me Oppenheimer vibes at times? Is it because of the explosions? The ominous music? I’m really not sure. I enjoyed that movie a great deal and this, and the emotions they evoked were very similar. Some themes, such as the ethics of power and control, appear in both. Both movies touched a sensitive spot in our culture and exploded onto the scene with force.

There are plenty of obvious differences: This movie is way less existential and more enjoyable because of that contrast. There is less real-world impact and more action scenes. Less melancholy and realism. It’s a way more fun movie. And yet… It leaves the same taste in your mouth as Oppenheimer.

Biggest Negative: The plot armor is too intense at times. Especially the second half. It feels a little predictable because of that. The ending is… average, kind of?

Biggest Positive: The creepiness is so underrated. The quiet, haunting music and some scenes are downright scary.

Final Thoughts: Amazing 2-and-a-half hours. I’m so excited for the second one, and I think it might be insanely good. I give this movie a 8.2/10.

Dune Part 2: 9.5/10

Overall Thoughts:

This is the big one. All I can say: Go see it in theaters, even if you haven’t seen Part One.

A few points I want to make. I’ll try to keep things brief because you need all the time possible to go watch this movie. So 1) I loved this movie. 2) Star Wars discussion. 3) Best theater movie ever, maybe?

First, this is simply a great movie. You can name any aspect of a movie: the plot, characters, acting, script, cinematography, musical score. It is nearly perfect in every way. I think 80% of this movie genuinely is perfect. It’s one of those you want to give a 10/10 and you leave the theater with certain scenes and moments and sounds resonating in your head. This movie stuns you like Oppenheimer but in a more enjoyable, fun, artistic way. Way less existential dread. A true escape.

For example: The costumes! Everything is so intricate and precise. There’s a variety across cultures and planets like nothing I’ve ever seen before. (Besides Star Wars, but I’ll get there in a minute.)

Another example: The reach! This movie is everywhere. Countless memes and discussions and posts. I wasn’t sure a cultural moment like this was possible after Barbie and Oppenheimer. Monoculture is certainly dead, but for the time being… Dune has revived it. And that’s a wonderful feeling.

Secondly, let’s talk about the Star Wars connection. I know that George Lucas was heavily influenced by Dune, so with the Paul Atreides to Anakin Skywalker comparisons, you have to give Paul props for being the original. And I know the desert planet connection is more obvious than anything else. But I really do think this movie in particular pulled from Star Wars in some key aspects of the filmmaking.

**Some slight spoilers ahead**

Consider the end of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. (Yes, prequel trilogy. Get over it.) The movie is the 2nd in a trilogy. It ends with a dynamic shot of Clone troopers marching onto their massive army transports. Anakin is becoming more powerful, though still learning. Yoda ends by saying something like, “Begun the Clone Wars has,” in his croaky little voice.

Now the end of Dune: Part 2. An impactful shot of the Fremen loading onto their massive army transports, preparing to take off into space and into an indefinite war. Paul is more powerful than ever, but he is not yet the one in charge of everything. The movie ends with Reverend Lady saying, in her frightening, dark voice, “The holy war begins.”

This isn’t an example of Star Wars being influenced by Dune, although there are many, many ways it was. This is the opposite. Denis Villeneuve borrowing from Star Wars, specifically the prequel trilogy. I don’t say this to take anything away from Dune, because I have to admit it’s a superior movie, but it’s interesting, to say the least.

My third and final point has to do with the theater. This movie was probably the best theater experience I’ve ever had. Sure, I chose a theater with comfortable chairs and free refills, but the movie is what makes or breaks the experience, and this movie was unreal. It had me locked in from the opening scene. I can’t get over the powerful score by Hans Zimmer and the top-notch acting performances. It’s the kind of movie you should see on the biggest screen possible, to use the cliche. It’s the kind of movie that sticks in your head.

I really hope they make Dune: Messiah. I’ll wait as long as it takes, because I know, once again, it’s going to be unreasonably good.

Biggest Negative: Last Star Wars reference, okay? So Dune has the same fixation for 1-on-1 combat, which I love. However, one key difference: In Star Wars, every single fight is art with the lightsabers and the settings. Remember that blue-vs-blue fight at the end of Episode 3? That’s wild.

Dune tries its best, but the 1-on-1 fights didn’t hit the same way. I enjoyed them. There are some great moments. You can’t cut them, of course. But they didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Biggest Positive: So hard to choose one. I’m gonna go with the sandworms and Paul’s “Silence!” monologue. Both of them lived up to the hype, and now I’m probably gonna have nightmares about worms, so thanks, Dune.

Final Thoughts: This movie goes crazy at the beginning with one of the best opening scenes in movie history. It doesn’t let up much after. I give this a 9.5/10 and I’m dying to see it again.