Dune: Part Two

Great films fall into one of two categories, there are those that are heavy, and need long periods of reflection between viewings, and there are films that aren't so deep, yet are masterfully made, and satisfy a specific kind of need.

Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, There Will Be Blood, and To Kill A Mockingbird fall into the first category, as it only takes one viewing to stick with you for the rest of your life.  The Prestige, Casino Royale, The Bourne Identity, and now, Dune: Part Two, are in the second category, as these are films that remind us why we enjoy watching movies.  You can count on the films in the second category to be there for you when you want to watch something good, but you're not sure what you're in the mood for; they're always going to be enjoyable, and you'll be glad that you watched them.  Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two fall squarely into the second category for the following reasons:  The characters who we met in the previous film, who had minimal screen time, are more prominently featured in the second film, and it turns out that they have dynamic personalities, and make the plot more compelling.  Specifically, Zendaya's performance as Chani was surprisingly satisfying; instead of simply being some exotic prize for the hero, it turns out that she's a strong-willed young woman, who discovers that, in spite of her better judgement, she has fallen in love with the hero.  And I also like that the hero might not be deserving of that title... of course I'm pretty sure that things will turn around by the end of the third film, and he'll clearly be the hero again, but I like that within the context of the movie we're allowed to question his motives.  This approach to storytelling is fun, because plays with our emotions, without going into the soul-searching territory that the first category of films explores.  Character and story are important elements in the second category of great films, but let's be honest, it's the spectacle that primarily draws us in, and Dune: Part Two has plenty to see.  Villeneuve recognizes that a great action scene cannot be the primary purpose of the sequence, but is an element which depends on a strong set-up, and must transition into a satisfying conclusion, otherwise the action was just an empty calorie snack.  For example, the worm riding scene only could happen after a series of increasingly more difficult challenges, which were as much about character development as they were a prelude to the worm-riding climax.  And riding the worm was never the point, as is demonstrated in the reaction shots, and the celebration in the scene that follows; changing hearts and minds was the purpose of the sequence, and Villeneuve is successful at conveying that message through his mastery of the medium.  I do have mixed feelings about the score by Hans Zimmer.  For the most part it was well matched with the film, i.e. it was complementary to all the other filmmaking elements.  In certain scenes the score elevated the film, there was one scene specifically, where Zimmer seemed to be channeling Vangelis, and the energy in the theater was palpable.  Yet, there were certain times when the score felt overbearing, and while I wouldn't say that it detracted from the film, it was enough to be distracting.  There is so much more that could be discussed, the allusions to other great moments in cinema, the standout performances by Rebecca Ferguson and Austin Butler, the cinematography, the transitions from dark to light, makeup effects, etc., etc., etc.  That's why Dune: Part Two has earned it place as a great film, there's so much to talk about, and that's really what will endure.