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diff --git a/content/reviews/movies/part-two-2024.md b/content/reviews/movies/part-two-2024.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b618e0f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/reviews/movies/part-two-2024.md @@ -0,0 +1,128 @@ ++++ +title = "Dune: Part Two (2024)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-16T16:44:00+02:00 +categories = ["reviews"] +draft = false +weight = 2013 +reviewSection = ["Movies"] +image_dir = "reviews/screenshots" +image_max_width = 765 +abstract = "My review of an adaptation of the second part of an amazing book" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/dune/part-two-2024", "brain-rot/american-scifi/dune/part-two-2024/"] +rating = 4.75 +image = "reviews/covers/dune2.jpg" +related = ["Dune movies"] +relatedName = "Dune: Part Two (2024)" ++++ + +It's here, it's finally here. +_Dune_ joins the very small club of SciFi books with amazing adaptations. +When _Part One_ hit the screens, people were amazed that it was so good. +Now, with _Part Two_, we hear that it's even better than the first one! + +But I was very skeptical. +The trailers seemed to indicate a train wreck. +They were full of explosions, angry screaming guys and the taglines about war. +Dune was never _about_ war. +War was in there, but it was never the point. +But cinema, SciFi especially, loves special effects, and big-booms are amongst the most used. +I dislike a lot of SciFi movies from the USA, as the (so called) spectacle is all there is[^fn:1]. + +But what the hell, I chose an IMAX experience nevertheless. +The first _Dune_ was breathtaking, so why not? + +And then the movie started, and my worries were replaced with anger. +What the hell is this? +Soldier banter? +Puppy-eyes? +Joking? +It's a SciFi war movie. +There are preparing for the _specle_ +_Dirty Fremen Dozen_! +_Independence Day of Arrakis_! + +But, just as the action moved to Giedi Prime, the movie completely transformed. +What was mediocre, became absolutely marvelous! + +Now, after seeing and rethinking the movie, it makes sense. +It's a not _sequel_ to _Dune_, but _part two_. +It doesn't start in act 1, as that was in the last movie. +The first chunk of this movie is a cool-down after the ending in of _Part One_. +Both _Dune_ movies should be treated as one long movie. +Much more than Kill Bill, as we have no clear _ending_ between the two. +_Part One_ ends with finishing of the Harkonen attack plot, which only ignites events of this movie. +And looking at it as one one big movie, I have to say: wow! + +They made some changes to Herbert's text, but I like them. +Fremen are no longer a singular force that Paul uses. +The movie version of them is divided, having different cultures. +Maybe it's too black and white, but it's a nice change. + +Similarly, Chani become a multidimensional character. +And while yes, Jessicas portrayal makes Chanis character shine much less, it's still a great change. +But the way Rebecca Ferguson plays Jessica is nothing short of wonder. +She starts scared, but loyal to both, Paul and Bene Gesserit. +After becoming the reverent mother however she becomes menacing. +With this comes another change - Alia is not born here. +She is talking with her mother telepathically, but at the end of the movie she is still to be born[^fn:2]. +That's a dangerous change, but it works perfectly because the tone Jessica uses when talking with her - calm, silent, almost a whisper, yet still menacing. +I can not stress it enough - Rebecca is perfect here. + +But the biggest change is the introduction of scenes from _Dune Messiah_. +You see, _Dune_ was often seen as a savior story. +Paul was to be the good guy, who comes and saves the day. +This is as far from what Frank Herbert envisioned as possible, so he wrote a short sequel book. +This movie vision introduces plot points and scenes taken directly from that book, so the meaning behing the story is much more obvious. +I think it's a good change, as we already see folks arguing against _Dune_ due to this misconception. +This way it defends itself. + +{{< image class="centered" file="dune-part2-001.jpg" >}} +Arrakis 90210 +{{< /image >}} + +{{< image class="centered" file="dune-part2-002.jpg" >}} +Jessica in all of her glory +{{< /image >}} + +Luckily, this movie is much weirder than _Part One_. +While last time Dennis omitted a lot, here he shows more _things_[^fn:3], but still there is no context. +We see the finger of the Baron, but we never learn what actually is there. +It comes as an Easter Egg for old time fans, which is nice as it takes nothing from the story. +But then there is Geidi Prime which is monochromatic, empty and cold - in the scariest way. +I'd love to see more of this side the world, but we got it spot on. +And Fayd? +Where Lynch gave us half-naked Sting, Austin Butler is a psychopath. +This is the Beast we all deserve! +This is the stuff nightmares are made of. + +I am happy to report that this is not a war movie. +It's _Dune_ full of plots within plots, mysticism and (lastly) war. + +Unfortunately, once again I am not happy with the music. +While most of the tracks are good (or great), the main theme is even worse than last time. +It's now layered over a lot more noise, making it this much more annoying. +It decreased my enjoyment of many of the greatest scenes. +Luckily, there is also new theme so this screaming woman may not follow us into the third movie. + +So, _Dune Part II_ is an excellent movie, but _Dune_ the complete story is a marvel. +It's the greatest thing I've seen in American SciFi in a very long time. +It's what it should be. +While not flawless, it's as close to what I'd imagine as a _perfect_ _Dune_ as it comes. +The movie gets a 4.75 from me (same as the first one), but looking at both _Dunes_ as a single movie? +Then it goes to a 5. +I don't think we will get anywhere close to this level of quality anytime soon. +What _Baldurs Gate III_ made for cRPG, _Dune_ makes to _SciFi cinema_. + +And, I love that Christofer Walken is once again in the Dune universe. +He warned us about the Worm years ago. + +Fayd in all of his glory +\#+end_image + +[^fn:1]: I still remember how bored I was when I watched _Iron Man 3_. + The last decade of the movie runtime was filled with a non-stop battle. + The movie stopped and all was left was CGI. +[^fn:2]: Kinda fitting. + _Arrival_ had a very similar take on what a human is. +[^fn:3]: No chairdogs though |