The highly-anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” titled “Dune: Part Two,” has finally been unveiled, and film journalists are raving about its incredible cast, breathtaking visual effects, and intense battle scenes. The film, which follows 2021’s “Dune,” is being hailed as a “masterful” and “damn impressive” continuation of the story, with some even comparing its epic battle sequences to those seen in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.”
Film journalist Gregory Ellwood, writing for The Playlist, had high praise for Villeneuve’s direction and the film’s visionary moments. He also noted Austin Butler’s standout performance, saying it was “transformative” and not solely relying on makeup. Ellwood called the ending of the film “very moving” and acknowledged its length, but overall was “impressed” and predicts it will be a massive success.
Inverse editor Hoai-Tran Bui shared a similar sentiment, calling the film “a triumph” that even exceeds the first installment. Bui praised Villeneuve for successfully streamlining the more alienating second half of the book into an action-packed and gripping epic. She also highlighted Zendaya’s performance, declaring her the star of the film.
Collider’s Steven Weintraub described “Dune: Part Two” as incredible filmmaking with a brilliant score and an excellent cast. He joked that the film should have been longer, demonstrating his enthusiasm for the project.
Uproxx’s Mike Ryan shared his mixed feelings about the first “Dune” but declared “Part Two” to be “phenomenal” and one of the greatest sci-fi movies he has ever seen. He particularly praised Villeneuve for his mastery of battle sequences, comparing them to the epic battle scenes seen in “The Two Towers.”
“Part Two” picks up where the first film left off, with the story following Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) as he joins forces with the Fremen to save the galaxy from the oppressive Harkonnen empire. Chalamet is joined by a star-studded cast including returning franchise members Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and newcomers Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux.
The first “Dune” film was a box office hit, earning over $400 million globally. However, with the addition of a theatrical release (not just streaming), the box office prospects for “Part Two” are even higher. Villeneuve himself has touted “Part Two” as a better movie, which is impressive considering the critical acclaim and 10 Oscar nominations received by the first film, including Best Picture. It went on to win six awards, including Best Original Score and Visual Effects.
At a press conference last year, Villeneuve expressed his confidence in “Part Two,” stating that he was much happier with it than he was with “Part One.” He promised an intensity and emotional depth that he felt he didn’t quite achieve in the first film. Villeneuve eagerly awaits sharing “Part Two” with fans and moviegoers alike, and it is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on March 1st, by Warner Bros.
With glowing reviews from film journalists and high anticipation from fans, “Dune: Part Two” is set to be a monumental success. Led by an incredible cast, visionary direction, and intense battle scenes, the sequel promises to surpass its predecessor and solidify itself as one of the greatest sci-fi films in recent memory.
Moviegoers can hardly wait for its release, and with Villeneuve himself expressing his satisfaction with the film, expectations are incredibly high. As the countdown begins for “Dune: Part Two,” fans can only hope that it lives up to the immense and well-deserved hype.
