While this film is a clear improvement over its predecessor, the average rating it has on both IMDB and Letterboxd is, without a doubt, biased by recency. I disliked the first film but almost every problem I had with it was solved in this one. However, by improving the implementation of certain elements, other ones worsened.

The acting is somewhat better in this movie but not by a lot. Chalamet and Zendaya are even more fitting in their roles this time around. Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Dave Bautista are given a chance to shine, all incredible actors. Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Christopher Walken were also great additions to the cast, and Stellan Skarsgård is amazing. However, I'm not entirely sure that all of them effectively fit into the narrative. There were essentially three different constructed leadership structures. From what I interpreted, there is the one with The Baron, Feyd-Rautha, and Glossu, who are the main villainous faction from the viewer's perspective. Then there is the one that Paul, Chani, and Stilgar belong to, who are the good guys. Finally, there is the one with The Emperor and Princess Irualan, who are the supposed monarchs. As far as the groups go, it is great but it also ends up having too many characters which takes away from the storytelling aspects of the film.

My main gripe with this movie is that despite it providing finality and a more common structure than part one, the clarity concerning what was happening was nearly nonexistent in certain parts. By the end, you are left with so many questions, not the type of intrigue and hope for it to be explored in a sequel but the type where you are annoyed. It is not that it doesn't spell things out for you but that it intentionally tries to confuse you.

Visually, this movie is incredible in different ways than the first one. From the incredibly visualized landscape of the desert to the interesting creatures, like the sandworms. The film is also thematically resonant and comments on beliefs in a described and contemplative way, making it more relevant than the predecessor when thinking about a comparison to our current society. This is something Villeneuve nearly always succeeds in his films, whether it be about language, crime, or religion.

I went into this movie thinking that it was part two of a two-parter and that the Dune Messiah would be a continuation but on another storyline. However, yet again, I was wrong in my expectations.

All in all, this film is a definite improvement over its predecessor, although I don't consider it anywhere close to the masterpiece that other people seem to do.