I recently watched the sequel film to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 Dune: Part One and I can undoubtedly say that this film is a top 20 all time great, dare I say I top 10. Dune: Part Two, released on March 1, 2024, was the incredible continuation of the first plot, picking up right as the chaos was only just beginning at the end of the first film. After watching this film I now come to appreciate the first film more, as it set up how its sequel film played out. Its purpose was to make its “add-on” better than itself.

Along with an incredible plot and compelling continuation of a great storyline, the acting was sublime. Despite one or two cringy scenes, which I believe simply should’ve just been re-shot to capture more emotion and make the scene flow more smoothly, I was thoroughly impressed with Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Paul “Muad’dib” Atreides, this heroic, “The One”, protagonist with a dark, vengeful side. Similar to another iconic figure of Sci-Fi cinematography Anakin Skywalker. But not only Chalamet shined, Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen the antagonists of the film, cousins of a corrupt family, reeking havoc on the inhabitants of Araakis, were both excellent. Bautista, a disappointment as the enforcer meant to boost spice production, was outstanding, and Butler, as a deranged sociopath brought to fix what his cousin could not, was sickeningly amazing. And not only that but all of this sets up for an even bigger, crazier, more spectacular story that, if Denis Villeneuve maintains standards going forward, could lead to the Dune franchise becoming the next big cinema-era-franchise. All I can say is I can’t wait to see what Villeneuve has in store for us.