Dune 2 Reaction (Spoiler-free) + Tips For Seeing The Film + Best Picture Rankings
Desert Power Takes Over The Cinema
If you have been paying attention to the media or the film community at large over the past week, you have probably heard some pretty wild things about how good Dune 2 is. Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to his 2021 film has been all the rage among Hollywood stars and fans alike. The film opens in theaters today, but expectations are high based on the early reactions:
Christopher Nolan said that the film is Villeneuve’s “Empire Strikes Back”.
Dune 2 is currently the highest rated movie of all time on IMDB.
Many are referring to it as one of the best sci-fi movies of all time.
I was fortunate enough to see an early screening of the film on Sunday, and I am here to confirm that the hype is real. Dune 2 is absolutely astonishing.
No, it is not the best movie of all time. Some of the chatter going on around the film is utterly ridiculous and will do nothing but leave some viewers disappointed if that is where the bar is. You will do yourself a favor to set your expectations low and go in ready to be amazed.
I have so many thoughts that I want to share about the film, but I will save most of those for later once more people have a chance to see it. For now, I want to share my initial reaction (spoiler-free) & some tips to optimize your viewing experience.
Dune 2 Initial Reaction (Spoiler-free)
Every great film has one or two signature scenes that take your breath away. Dune 2 has so many that you lose count.
Every great film has a few dozen shots that rattle around in your brain for weeks. Dune 2 has so many that your eyes can barely process the visual feast that is before it.
Villeneuve achieves a scale and scope throughout the film that makes you gasp, but still maintains a heart and authenticity that will move your soul.
Chalamet claims his spot as a genuine star, Villeneuve leaves no doubt that he’s one of the greatest working filmmakers, and Dune’s place in the pantheon of great sci-fi sagas is solidified.
There are many words that can be used to describe Dune 2, but the most fitting is masterpiece.
If you only hear one thing from this whole piece, let it be this - see this movie. It isn’t often that something like this comes along. Soak in the power of visual storytelling. Let the power of cinema take you over.
Five Tips for seeing Dune 2
Do a re-watch of the first film - There are so many small details throughout the first film and world building moments that you will want a refresh on before seeing the second film. Even if you feel like you remember almost everything, it is still probably worth revisiting the first film. All sci-fi stories can be tough to wrap your head around, but Dune specifically can be tricky at first. Doing the legwork on the front end will increase your enjoyment of the second film exponentially.
See it with friends, if possible - This is one of those movies where you just want to talk about what you just witnessed after it is over. Your brain almost has difficulty processing just how spectacular everything is on screen that you don’t really have anything meaningful to say immediately after the film, but you just need to get it out. Case in point - a guy seeing the film by himself was patiently waiting next to myself and a friend talking about the movie as the credits rolled, just waiting for the opportunity to jump into the conversation. When he did, he said, “I am here by myself and just need to talk about this with someone.” That kind of thing doesn’t happen after most movies. Dune 2 will be more enjoyable if it is a communal experience.
Understand the many names of Paul Atreides - I referenced above that there are certain parts of Dune that can be confusing, one of which is all of the different names that Paul Atreides goes by and the different names for the chosen one. It seems that almost every different group of people in the universe have a different name for Paul Atreides and a separate name for what they call the chosen one. It can be confusing given that Paul himself has so many different names & then with the added layer that so many people think that he may be the chosen one, it gets even more complicated. Below are the names that Paul or the chosen one is referred to as in Dune 2. Understanding these will help you be less confused and more likely to soak in the power of the film:
Muad'Dib - introduced in Dune 2 as a name for Paul
Usul - introduced in Dune 2 as a name for Paul
Lisan al Gaib - the Freman name for the chosen one
Kwisatz Haderach - the Bene Gesserit name for the chosen one
See it in IMAX, if possible - Dune 2 was specifically shot on IMAX cameras and the scale of the film as a whole demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Breathtaking moments of direction & vast expansive landscapes are simply better on a bigger screen than a smaller screen. I am always an advocate of seeing films in IMAX, but if you are only going to do it once this year, let it be for Dune 2.
Have lots of popcorn/snacks - This is always a must when at the movie theater, but Dune 2 specifically is the perfect film for this. For starters, the movie is north of two hours long so you will likely get hungry at some point throughout. If that isn’t enough reason, there are so many great scenes where the sound envelops you or your heart will race - some popcorn or candy during those moments always hits different.
Best Picture Rankings
I am not an academy member, thus I don’t get to cast a vote for the Oscars. However, it is fun to dream!
Now that the Oscars are just a little over a week away, I wanted to walk through the mental exercise of thinking through how I would cast my ballot for best picture.
For those who are unaware, the Oscars use ranked choice voting to determine the Best Picture winner, so each academy member can rank each of the nominees one through ten. My ballot below is not how I think the Best Picture race will actually play out (all signs are pointing to Oppenheimer winning), but how I would vote if given the chance!
Without further ado:
Oppenheimer - Apparently I was the only person on the planet who didn’t click with what everyone else is deeming the masterpiece of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is beautiful, but just had too many problems with it for it for me to fully click with it. Ironic that this will likely be the actual Best Picture winner, but I look forward to revisiting it and hopefully finding the magic that others have with the film.
American Fiction - The best testament to how great this years Best Picture lineup is. Most other years this would easily be top 5. Really excited for more people to see this because I think it is going to really grow to be one of crowd favorites of the year.
Maestro - I have been a stanch defender of Maestro. While I think some of the criticism is valid, you rarely see any film as beautiful as Maestro is. It is more like a fine art painting to me than a film. Just remarkably stunning on all fronts.
Barbie - Really thought after seeing Barbie in July that it was going to have the legs to make a Best Picture push. Oddly enough, it seems that its commercial success and popularity throughout culture may have hurt it. This one will live with us longer than probably anything else on this list.
Poor Things - So I am just now realizing that somehow I have yet to write about Poor Things. This one solidified for me that Yorgos Lanthimos is not only one of my favorite filmmakers, but one of the best of our time. The set design, the performances, the subject matter, and the creativity of the direction is just all remarkable.
Anatomy Of A Fall - Anything inside this top 5 could have won Best Picture if it were in a different year.
The Holdovers - Like American Fiction, this one is going to become even more talked about in future years as more people see it. Delightful from start to finish & will be a repeat watch every Christmas season for me.
Killers of the Flower Moon - The more it sits in my mind, the more I appreciate the intent of the film & the scale of what Scorsese pulled off.
The Zone of Interest - Oddly, this and Killers of the Flower Moon would be a great double feature if you want to spend 5 hours amongst the worst that society has to offer. This master work by Jonathan Glazer will make your mind squirm, but not in the obvious ways you would think that a Holocaust film would make you uncomfortable.
Past Lives - The only perfect, 5 star movie from 2023 for me. Killers & The Zone of Interest are close, but nothing tops the power and the artistry of Celine Song’s directorial debut.
That is all for now!
Until next time, enjoy some great films!
Aaron Nolan