Dune 2 has problems, just like the first part, but part 2 is still better than the first part in every way, making it without a doubt the best Dune film so far (which isn't very difficult)

I really had my doubts about whether Dune 2 would be any good. After all, the first part was way too overrated and basically it was just a prologue for what was to come without you really having any idea about anything. But after reading the book, I know the world a lot more and the second half of the book is a lot better than the first half, although the same applies to the second film.

First and foremost, the film is of course an incredible visual and auditory force and probably the best thing you will see this year. In my opinion, part 2 even sures the first part in of the staging. The black and white scenes alone are unforgettable, but the same goes for most of the other scenes where you can almost feel the sand because they were shot on real locations and not with green screen. Which is why the film is a big development from the first part in of staging.The score is even better than in the first part. Because while the first part was just loudly blaring, the second part also had more melody and there were also many moments that were quiet so that you could breathe deeply.

There's nothing more to say about the actors anyway, because everyone here is great. But many of the criticisms that I had about the first part were improved in the second part. Like the fact that the second part is much more exciting, more action-packed and contains a lot more plot. The film begins with an action scene and ends with one, while there are enough action scenes in between to keep you on the ball most of the time. Even though the film was undoubtedly too long, as some exposition scenes could easily have been deleted and the length is particularly noticeable in the middle part. But that's not so bad compared to the first part, because there are far too many lengths and expositions in the first part and the film was easily an hour too long. The second part naturally shortens some of the plot, which is explained in more detail in the book. Sometimes I would have liked a few more elements from the book to appear in the film, especially in connection with the fact that a lot more time es in the book. But at the same time, it's better that Villeneuve cut something here than make three parts from the first book, because that would be way too much.

The characters were also further developed in the second part, whereas in the first part every character was one-dimensional and boring. It doesn't get much better in the second part, because even in the book I couldn't connect emotionally with any of the characters and didn't find any of them really interesting. In the second part, Paul and Chani definitely get more character traits and you understand the characters a little more. Even though a lot of character development happens very quickly, especially when it comes to Paul and Jessica, who very quickly become completely different characters than they were before. While other characters like the Emperor are given far too little attention and other characters like Feyd-Rautha are a little different than I imagined them, however Austin Butler is still simply fantastic in the role.

Which is why Dune: Part 2 is definitely not perfect. The film could have been shortened significantly in some places and in some places the film takes too many liberties. Like the ending, which is left rather open in the film and rather unsatisfactory, at least in comparison to the book. Likewise, the character developments happen far too quickly in some places, while other characters are neglected. There are some visions again that are rather irritating, but fortunately not as much as in the first part. Just like supposedly meaningful dialogues with a lot of exposition and perhaps even too much in some places.
Nevertheless, the film is an improvement on the first part in every aspect. Visually and auditorily, there is hardly anything comparable, with epic moments that you won't quickly forget, with a lot more action, plot and a little deeper characters than the first part has. Which is why the film is definitely better than the first part and is definitely worth a visit to the cinema. The film will probably drop in my rating with a rewatch, but for now I'm definitely pleasantly surprised and ready for the Messiah.

My 2024 ranking -Here