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In the region of sci - fi , it ’s a rarified sequel that outshine its precursor . Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khanhad it soft , becauseStar Trek : The Motion Picturewas such a slog by comparison . A true viewing of enormousness was the elbow room thatThe Empire Strikes Backsomehow managed to improve upon the originalStar Wars , one of the most innovative sci - fi films ever made . And now , the early answer toDune : Part Twosuggests that Denis Villeneuve ’s follow - up toDunemay have pull off the trick of a sci - fi sequel that outshines the original film .
IsDune 2the nextEmpire Strikes Back ? Fans will get to decide for themselves soon enough . But the first follow-up are in , andDune : Part Twois presently sitting on a 97 % score on Rotten Tomatoes . Below , we ’ve assembled a selection from theDune : Part Tworeviews and the initial reactions from some of the most prominent online film critic . And almost all of them are very positive .
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Here’s what the critics are saying
In his review forVariety , Peter Debruge favorably compares the shell of Villeneuve ’s Dune films to Christopher Nolan ’s flick . “ Whatever you do , do n’t mistake this follow - up for a sequel . It ’s the second one-half of a saga , which Villeneuve has suggest about wanting to carry through a third instalment , providedPart Twoearns enough for him to keep going . Like Christopher Nolan , the theatre director is operating on the largest possible scurf , push the medium to conciliate his vision . Also like Nolan , he has composer Hans Zimmer ’s help in making everything fathom as stunning as it attend . ”
Lovia Gyarkye ’s review forThe Hollywood Reporteris for the most part complimentary : “ Dune : Part Twomaintains the grandiose visual manner introduced inDunewhile also paying more attention to story and character development . Plot takes precedence in this second installation of Villeneuve ’s planned three - part adaptation of Frank Herbert ’s series . ” However , Gyarkye adds that “ Part Twois plagued by a shrewish superficiality when it comes to portraying the Fremen , an indigenous the great unwashed fighting for self - decision within the empire ; the plastic film has difficulty fully embracing the nuance of Herbert ’s anti - majestic and ecologically dystopian text . ”
“ Heavy with spectacle and theme as it is , Part Twois often surprisingly nimble , ” publish Richard Dawson in his review forVanity Fair . “ As a filmmaker , Villeneuve has long had worry balance plot with painting , but here he almost catch the calibration incisively correct . ”
David Crow ’s review forDen of Geekhad a very sharp observation : “ The cinema is a feverish dream of another reality that feel as real and baffling as backbone slipping through your fingertip … It ’s a place one would never require to be , and yet , you do not desire to leave . ” Crow also shared his awe that “ such an uncompromising vision could be made as a mod blockbuster . ”
A more complex, more violent sequel
The Los Angeles Times ‘ celluloid editor program Joshua Rothkopf tell , “ sand dune : Part Twoisn’t a battle for freedom won , so much as the get-go of something far more misanthropical , the potential for an entire cosmos to explode into flaming . Villeneuve has made skillful on one of the great Hollywood gamble in recent computer storage , deliver a two - part epic of literary refinement , timely import , and possibly even the hope of another film or two . ”
CinemaBlend ’s managing editorSean O’Connellsaid that he preferred the firstDunefilm over the sequel , but that did n’t mean he was n’t impressed : “ Dune : Part Twois MASTERFUL filmmaking on an epic scale leaf . Denis Villeneuve marries gripping fiber ontogeny to vast , sweeping cinematic visuals . And the cast evolves in their roles . I slimly prefer the simple DUNE to this complex chapter , but still , a hulk achievement . ”
Io9’sGermain Lussierassured fan that “ Denis Villeneuve gravel the landing withDune : Part Two , a absorbing , terrifying role subject secernate on a gloriously heroic sci - fi scale . Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya are INCREDIBLE in it , the determined pieces are jaw - dropping , & the plunk for cast elevates all the rest . It ’s great . ”
That Hashtag Show’sHunter BoldingcalledDune : Part Two“a spectacle among all spectacles . A megahit to end all blockbuster . This is a mythical tome of a film that succeeds in every way . It ’s among the most impressive moving picture I ’ve ever seen . ”
ComicBook.com’sBrandon Davisimmediately went with theStar Warscomparison in his reaction : “ Some of the visuals inDune : Part Twohad me so astonished , I feel like I read how everyone finger seeingStar Warsfor the first fourth dimension back in 1977 . It ’s just unbelievable at times . ”
The Wrap ’s photographic film editorKristen Lopezadmitted that she does n’t love the enfranchisement , but also say that she likedDune : Part Twoa lot more than the first film : “ Thrilling and gorgeously filmed in equal measure . Austin Butler is the MVP alongside Rebecca Ferguson ( again ) . praise on embracing the weirdness . ”
A visionary film and one of 2024’s best movies
The Playlist’sGregory Ellwoodcalled the sequel “ damn impressive , ” before adding that “ Villeneuve crafts some in truth VISIONARY moment . Austin Butler make a unfeignedly transformative performance ( and not let the cat out of the bag makeup either ) . Very move ending . A wee snatch long ? Yes . Did I forget I saw it the next day ? Yes . Still , gon na be monumental . ”
Collider founderSteven Weintraubwas effusive with his praise for the picture , the cast , and the grudge . But he did have one proceeds with it : “ My only complaint was I wish it was recollective . Not jest around . The moving picture is 2hr and 40 min ( ? ) and I would have been glad to watch another 60 minutes . ”
Weintraub ’s colleague and frequent Collider hostPerri Nemiroffwent even further with her reaction : “ Dune 2is smash hit / IP filmmaking at its finest . A book that does n’t shy away from character complexness , and does a shockingly solid caper of reacquainting viewers with theDunechessboard while sum up more pieces to it . Many great performances in the mix , but I was particularly taken by Zendaya … Also , I could not take my eyes off of Austin Butler . Everything he ’s doing as Feyd - Rautha is just fascinatingly scarey and bewitch . ”
hitch the trend of prescribed reactions , IndieWire ’s lead criticDavid Ehrlichsimply enunciate , “ Well , at least Javier Bardem was take in fun . ”
sand dune : Part Twowill bump off dramaturgy on Friday , March 1 .
