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Reviews
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Perspective from a lifelong Dune fan
This is a long review. So, thanks in advance for reading. Even if no one ever reads this I need to get the thoughts out of my head.
I will give my background hopefully to inform the perspective of my review.
Dune is my favorite book, and I re-read it every other year or so and have done for the past 30+ years. The quality declines quickly after the first book, but the first book is a masterpiece. It is the best singular work of fiction in my opinion. Every time I read it; I discover something new.
In addition, I am a huge fan on the '84 Dune. I understand this seems to be a divisive comment for many. And I find that sad that people can't just tolerate that others have different tastes.
I have consumed any new adaptation of Dune, whether it be TV series or movie. The '21 Dune was something that just didn't click for me. I understand there were some production constraints due to the pandemic which made the editing difficult if not impossible, and in my opinion there were some critical errors made in casting. I say that because although I was excited for Dune Part Two my expectations were certainly measured.
Denis Villeneuve (and his production team) are the great cinematographers & art directors of our time. The images Denis puts to screen are magnificent. However just because you frame a beautiful scene does not necessarily mean you have created an engaging screenplay. And I think the area where his Dune adaptations fall short of being perfect 10/10 is in the misfires in casting.
The '84 Dune exceeds the adaption in casting in ALMOST every way. Timothee, Zendaya, Momoa, Walken, Bautista, Brolin. These are actors who I enjoy greatly. But they are cast in these movies based upon looking a certain way. They are not great fits for the roles. Yet, Dune Part Two succeeds in spite of this. I honestly don't see how you can try to argue the casting. You want to tell me that Jason Momoa is a better Ducan Idaho than Richard Jordan? Chris Walken. I mean I love the guy. But it's a very odd choice for Emperor. I think the movie succeeds IN SPITE of Timothee and Zendaya not being particularly strong leads. I love DRAX, best comic relief sidekick ever. But lets be honest Bautista's dramatic acting chops are not top tier. There were of course a few upgrades. Rebecca Ferguson & Florence Pugh were excellent. I don't think Javier Bardem was great as Stilgar in Part One, but in Part Two he absolutely carried the movie. His performance blew me away. It gave the movie heart.
The screenplay of Dune Part Two was a great improvement over part one. It was exceptionally true to the books. Other than the exclusion of the Guild Navigators (that was disappointing). The screenplay brilliantly captured the messiah elements. The only critique I would make is that the Geidi Prime scenes (which was a surreal detour into German expressionism) consumed too much run time which caused the climax and last act to feel rushed and unearned. There was a decision to feature Feyd (feels like a Hollywood $ decision) much more than in the book, and this takes away from other elements in the movie. Alia (The Knife) Atreides was excellent. The way they presented her character was brilliant. ATJ was Alia. Well, that's genius.
Great day I bet you are thinking. Did you even like the movie? YES.
The movie was exceptional.
It moved me emotionally many times. The scene where Paul rides the grandfather worm moved me to tears. The pacing for a long movie was excellent. The effects were incredible. Sound design incredible. Art direction incredible. Score incredible.
Dune Part Two was an improvement upon Dune Part One. And I think its fair to say that's a consensus.
I hope this movie makes a lot of money and I intend to see it a few more times in cinema. Despite its shortcomings in casting (which you may or may not agree with) it is a brilliant piece of cinema. And we as fans should support it so that we will be rewarded with another installment.
So Help Me Todd: Are You There Todd? It's Me, Margaret (2023)
Nice Run Lola Run callback
At least that's how I read the open sequence with the pulsating techno beat and Todd becoming sleeve less and sprinting. I love that movie so it's great to see it get some love. Even the scene with MGH was shot just like Run Lola Run.
The episode was a good finale. They left enough story beats open ended so there is room to take the story in different directions. I didn't like the last story beat with the husband but I guess the didn't want to give the viewer a complete happy ending.
The one that deserves a happy story arc in season 2 is Chuck. He was nothing but a super great guy. I hope they give him something in season 2.
Great show great chemistry of all the actors.