Denis retains his throne as the modern sci-fi king by somehow making this movie twice as good as part one and part one in itself was really great! Like with any great sequel there are some improvements this time around thanks to the strong cast additions as well as allowing for some moments of levity that are completely absent from part 1. Part 2 feels a bit more self contained as we are not left hanging off a cliff this time and I really appreciated that. If for whatever reason they didn’t make a 3rd Dune this would be an okay place to stop. 

If there is a 3rd (there likely will be) my main note would be to work on strengthening Paul and Chani’s relationship. At no point across both parts did I buy Chani’s love for Paul. Currently there is simply no spark between them that would make me care for the fate of their relationship. I hope they can correct that. 

It’s a shame this movie came out so early in the year as I’m afraid it might go unrecognized come next year’s Oscar season. I’m hoping it can stick out in voters minds but there is a lot of time and movies between now and then.