Not only was the decision to split the book into two films clearly very wise, this 'second part' is even better than the already-excellent opener. Part One did the obvious heavy-lifting in terms of characters and world-building; this time, mostly desert-bound, the characters fully inhabit their roles and move them forward. Timothee Chalamet shows more depth in the Paul Atreides role, Rebecca Ferguson brings Lady Jessica's journey to the screen with aplomb, and indeed the whole returning cast do their characters justice, with the welcome addition of a non-blinking Austin Butler as the coldly villanous Feyd-Rautha. The set pieces are visually epic and have sound design that sets the cinema shaking - Paul's first worm-ride is particularly viscerally thrilling - cinematography is stunning, effects work is generally terrific, and Hans Zimmer channels Vangelis. There are even a couple of moments that display what passes for emotion in a Villeneuve film. At almost three hours in length, some will find it slow and impenetrable, but the film is hypnotically engaging and (in true Villeneuve style) every frame is beautifully designed. The gathering momentum of the story truly pays off in the final act, and Dune Part Two is a particularly skilful and absorbing adaption of a notoriously difficult series of books to bring to the screen.
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