Dune: Part Two

"Your father didn't believe in revenge."

"I do."

One of the biggest complaints about Dune was about how 'slow' the pacing was and how much the film lacked the screen presence of Zendaya even though she was heavily present in the trailers.

With the action starting within the first five minutes, I can proudly say that Part Two delivered, and delivered well.

A Sand Walk Dance

The development of the relationship between Timothee Chalamet's Paul and Zendaya's Chani is spread evenly between the course of two hours and 46 minutes. It's handled with a much care as one can give with establishing trust, friendship and love in the middle of a war.

While there is an ongoing war, it's important to remember that the relationship between Paul and Chani is equally as important. It has the power to sway what each of them will do when faced with up coming challenges.

We get to see more of Zendaya as Chani which I enjoyed because her screen time was minimal when we first were introduced to her. Not only do we get to watch Chani build relationships but viewers will also get to watch how she attempts to handle love, war, and doing what is right at the same time. She's portrayed as strong, not as a damsel in distress and was courageous down to the final moments of the film.

Timothee Chalamet's Paul Atreides matures throughout the film and we get to see a different version of the duke this time around. He's conflicted, less polished, and has to make decisions that he is not as prepared as he should have been. No mater how much his mother tried to prepare him for.

His quest for revenge, while understandable, may leave him in a place where he did not think he would ever be with people that he would not have thought of by his side.

We will have to wait for the next installment to see how his story ends.

A Mother's Journey

Rebecca Ferguson shines during the second installment of Dune as Lady Jessica, the mother of Paul Atreides, who happens to have an even deeper backstory that is revealed just about the films midway point. Her journey - past, present, and future - is revealed to be just as important as Paul's and her unborn child. While Lady Jessica believes she is doing what is best for the greater good (while wearing some of the best pieces in the film), only time will be able to tell.

A Son's Revenge

Austin Butler's role as Elvis is one that will never be forgotten, however Austin's transition from himself into Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is nothing short of movie magic.

Viewers, to put it simply, will not recognize him and I believe that is a good thing and adds so much to Part Two.

He's unhinged, feral, and looks incredible and along with the looks of the rest of the cast. I wouldn't be surprised if Dune gets nominated in Make Up and Costume Design next awards season. He is one of the main reason why Dune did not 'drag', as many complained about previously.

Florence Pugh makes her Dune introduction as Princess Irulan. While I love Florence and her performance in the film, her character's presence is sprinkled throughout the film.

The understanding of why she's there, unfortunately, does not sink in until the last ten minutes of the film and acts as a building block. In my opinion, her most important scene is at the end where she doesn't even get to use her voice. She shares one simple look with another character. That look had so much meaning to it while it also unraveled something else that was equally important. I can only hope that the meaning of that look is explored in the next chapter of the Dune franchise.

The additions of Florence and Austin to this already stacked cast was an excellent choice.

A Visual Masterpiece

The way director Denis Villeneuve plays with color is something that hasn't been seen in any recent book to film adaptations lately. The greyscale scenes still keep the viewers attention. Transitioning back to the desert, one would think that looking at miles and miles of sand would get repetitive or boring after an hour. Denis has a way of making sure that doesn't happen. That is incredible to me and what makes a film maker great at what they do.

I will find it hard to believe that a viewer watched Dune: Part Two and thinks that the issues they may have had with the first film, had followed them to the next.

A First?

Dune is based off of a book that was released in 1965. Most people know that I am a big supporter of book to film adaptations. I love to read the books, watch the films or television show, read the books again and speak about the comparisons. This time around, I actively decided not to read the books first.

Why? It's simple, I usually do not like Sci- Fi. It's not a genre that I've notice I can stay engaged cover to cover so I end up avoiding it at all costs. Now before you past judgement, I will be reading the books... just after the film series has concluded.

What attracted me to the Dune films was the cast. With so many big hitting cast members, and most of Young Hollywood staring in the series, it was as if there wasn't a way that the this adaptation could fall short.

Now after the second film has been released, do I agree with my decision to stay intentionally blind?

Yes. I do.

My experience with Dune and Dune: Part Two remains untarnished.

I did not know what I was getting into when I watched the first film. I did not know what to expect when it came to Part Two and that makes me even more excited for Part Three.

It was magnificent and I cannot wait to see what is next for the Atreides family line.