Dune : Part Two (2024 Version) *****

Starring : Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Lea Seydoux, Tim Blake-Nelson, Souhelia Yacoub, David Dastmalchian, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rand Faris, Benjamin Clementine and Javier Bardem

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Duration Running Time: (approx) 2 Hours 47 Minutes (167 Mins)

Certification Rating Certificate : 12A

Distribution : Warner Bros. Pictures,(A Discovery Company), Legendary Pictures, Villeneuve Films, Disruption Entertainment

Back in 2021, four years earlier, Denis Villeneuve, an acclaimed visionary film director, who by the way directed the first 'Dune' film entitled as 'DUNE: PART ONE' (read my original review of 'DUNE: PART ONE' exclusively on this platform - and also available on NETFLIX to see for those who didn't see the first movie - and which that you also need to see this - before you see PART TWO - in movie theaters) had in fact taken many movie audiences around the world into a bewitching desert world of burnished skies, swirling desert sands and also an indelible collection of many heroes and also villains that ever graced our silver screens that we witnessed and also watched what was happening before our very eyes that many of us (including 'yours truly') had declared 'DUNE: PART ONE' as - 'THE BEST SCIENCE-FICTION MOVIE - NOT ONLY OF ALL-TIME - BUT ALSO OF - THE DECADE' EVER !

And that when I originally saw this at the Cineworld Cinema Complex, situated in Ashton Under-Lyne around 12 NOON on a Friday afternoon (other movie theaters are also available) in IMAX -this was one of those movie experiences in my entire life which I not only enjoyed watching this on a 'GIANTIC - BIG SCREEN' - that i was transported from my cinema seat into a new world full of 'ACTION AND ADVENTURE' - and which i could only describe as 'SIMPLY JAWDROPPING'.

But also that when the film experience had finished and as i left the auditorium at Cineworld that Friday afternoon around 3:20 pm - my eyes were opened with the greatest example in what i had just witnessed on the big screen that was 'IMAX'- my entire mind was 'blown' and that there were many unanswered questions and also a clinical need to see 'DUNE: PART TWO' immediately - and now - 'THREE YEARS LATER' - in 2024 - and also in which Villeneuve left us 'as the movie audiences' - to climb the many walls - with great anticipation - it is my extreme pleasure to announce that 'DUNE: PART TWO' - has finally arrived in many movie theaters three years later.

However, the second part of Villeneuve's monumental epic blockbuster (the first part was two hours and thirty five minutes (155 Mins) long, while the second part is two hours and forty seven minutes (167 Mins) longer by twelve minutes - but if you add the two together - this includes both end credits of these epic movie masterpieces - this comes to an amazing five hours and twenty two minutes - or three hundred and twenty two minutes - of cinematic screen-time - if you prefer) - but this adaptation lands with a sternum-juddering crash; for it's another shroom of a movie, an epic science-fiction hallucinations whose many images that mainly consists throughout speak of fascism and imperialism, of guerrilla resistance and romance.

But Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel originally published in 1965 - 'fifty-nine years' ago, working with Jon Spaihts, a co-writer, draws on the inspirations of classic movie directors such as Sir David Lean, George Lucas and even Sir Ridley Scott, whose epic-masterpiece of 'GLADIATOR' (2000), in the (perhaps inevitable) 'mega-colosseum stadium - combat scene' with all of the tiny billions of 'COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGERY' - or even 'CGI' - for short - crowds in the 'bleachers'.

However, the burning question is that Villeneuve, 'a visionary movie director' who in 2017 had directed 'BLADE RUNNER 2049' the follow-up to 'BLADE RUNNER', the 1982 original classic, directed by Sir Ridley Scott and featuring Ryan Gosling as 'K', - a Nexus-9 replicant 'BLADE RUNNER' who uncovers a secret that threatens to destabilise the society and also the course of civilisation and Harrison Ford, who appeared in the original movie and also reprises the role as Rick Deckard, a burnt-out police detective, hunting down replicants situated in the City of Los Angeles in the year 2019, has really made it as his own because it features scenes such as secular political cruelty meets an Indigenous people's struggle within in those vast mysterious planetscapes.

The sound design throbs that are contained inside this film's bloodstream, that in question are lending a 'queasy frisson' to its extraordinary visual spectacle and also the visual horror special effects add a favourable spice to its original story format.

'DUNE: PART TWO' continues from where the 'first part' of the 'two-parter' left off and also continues the journey of Paul Atreides (Chalamet) on an epic journey and also a unique quest of revenge against those who slew and also massacred his family.

But Atreides, in question, unites with Chani (Zendaya), and also the Fremen people of Arrakis, a desert planet, who are considered by many to let Paul - in question - to be their messiah while on a unique raging warpath against the House Harkonnen, which is led by Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Starsgard), who happens to be the leader of the House, but Harkonnen, in question, happens to be a sworn enemy of House Atreides, and was also the former steward of Arrakis.

The Fremen in question, are in fact, a group of people led by Stilgar,(Bardem), in the fictional 'DUNE' Universe created by Frank Herbert - and they are also classed as a sub-culture of humans that are descended from the Zensunni Wanderers - and also consider Arrakis, the Desert planet - aka 'DUNE' - as their home.

But that The Fremen, have also adapted their culture and also their way of life in order to survive and also thrive in the incredibly harsh conditions of the Desert planet of Arrakis, however with water being such a rare commodity on the planet, their unique culture revolves around its preservation and also conservation.

They also play a significant role in the establishment of the Atreides Empire and also the Muad'Dib's Jihad, launched by Paul Atreides, who also becomes their adoptive leader, and also that The Fremen are by now have also distinguished by their fierce fighting abilities and also their adeptness at survival in these conditions and they were also deemed as superior - even to the Corrino Sardaukar forces.

But also that House Harkonnen happens to be one of the wealthiest members of the Landsraad and is also the 'bitter rival' of House Atreides, and which also involves his 'creepy nephews' - notably - Beast Rabban, (Bautista), and also Feyd-Rautha, (Butler), - yes Elvis Aaron Presley himself, - and whose character in this 'second instalment - is even creepier, and also coming along for the ride is Jessica, (Ferguson), who happens to be Paul's mother, and is part of the occult Bene Gesserit sisterhood, and is also taking her place in the Fremen power structure.

However, Paul, in question, also faces a dilemma not only between Chani, who happens to be the love of his life -their friendship between them becomes ever closer, but also the fate of the known universe, and also to which he endeavours to present a terrifying future - and only Paul can forsee what is about to happen.

Also involved in the fighting is Gurney Halleck (Brolin),Brolin is no stranger to play these kinds of roles on screen as Brolin, has appeared in the role of Thanos in the MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE - 'MCU' - appearing in 'GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY', 'AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR' and also 'AVENGERS: ENDGAME' - this is in fact a franchise - in its own right.

Meanwhile, Halleck is in fact, the weapons master of House Atreides, and also one of Paul's mentors, now Halleck in question is one of 'the last survivors' of Duke Leto's court and now wages a war on House Harkonnen but the burning question that one has to ask themselves is this:

Will Halleck in question get to take his revenge on House Harkonnen ?

Well the answer is simply this that in order to find out what happens is to see this at your movie theater - and that will answer your question.

However, a great reckoning between the Fremen and also the Harkonnen - 'the two interesting parties' - in question - and also between Paul, the Emperor (aka Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino)- (Walken), and also Princess Irlan, (Pugh), the Emperor's daughter is fast approaching like an air-fryer, that's if its set at the right temperature - it'll be ok - but if not - this will erupt like an Icelandic volcano.

Interestingly back in 1978, when 'THE DEER HUNTER' directed by Michael Cimino and featuring Robert De Niro, John Savage and also Walken as three best friends - aka Slavic American steelworkers who lives were upended when they went out to fight in the Vietnam War and who by the way won the award for 'BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR' for Walken - plus the film won 'BEST PICTURE' - the award for that was presented by John Wayne - this was in fact Wayne's final appearance - he 'passed away' three months later from lung cancer -was released in movie theaters - there's a key scene early on in the epic movie where Walken's character tells his workmates a joke - and where he also tells the following :

'Did you hear about the happy roman ?

'He was 'GLAD' 'HE' 'ATE' 'HER' - anyway thought I'd share that with you.

Just for the record, the 'LANDSRAAD' in question, is in fact a body that represents all the Great Houses in the universe of Dune, it was founded 'long' before the Butlerian Jihad, and also rose to prominence during the early days of the Corrino Empire, but also that the Landsraad is ruled by the High Council, and also overseen by the Padishah Emperor.

The Landsraad Council meets regularly and also provides a forum within which the 'GREAT HOUSES' in question, can negotiate trade agreements, create alliances or even conduct 'kanly' - the formalized processes of vendetta or feud, but it's also supposed to protect the 'GREAT HOUSES' in question - from being singled out by the IMPERIAL HOUSE - and also being eliminated by it.

Also, in terms of military strength, all of the GREAT HOUSES, were they to even unite through the Landsraad, would have supposedly have been a unique match for the Imperial Sardaukar forces, but also that the Landsraad in question is also governed by the High Council, and which also provides over 'the main issues' such as the forms of Kanly, and also where certain Houses throughout - should be 'BANISHED FOR THE BREACH OF THE GREAT CONVENTION' -but these 'MOTIONS' - in question - are in fact - 'PASSED OUT' - by a single vote - with 'THE GREAT HOUSES' - in question - are maintaining the LION'S SHARE' of the vote - while 'THE IMPERIAL HOUSE' - in question - also has 'a powerful vote', followed by 'MINOR HOUSES' - have a 'lesser' vote, and even that the 'EMPEROR' in question - has to answer to the High Council - on some issues.

Also as for 'KANLY' - in question - well this is the enactment of 'a formal feud' or even 'a vendetta' in a unique manner that complies with 'THE GREAT CONVENTION' and that it often results in 'AN OFFICIAL WAR OF AN ATTRITION -BETWEEN TWO OPPONENTS' -usually the 'GREAT HOUSES' during 'THE DAYS OF THE OLD IMPERIUM'.

Now, the 'ACT OF KANLY' was originally created by as a way of allowing 'MANY BITTER DISPUTES - TO BE RESOLVED' - without any harm being brought upon innocent bystanders, and that it was similar in many ways to the 'ANCIENT DUELS - MADE ON EARTH, - although it usually had much broader ramifications.

'KANLY' - is in fact - 'A TURKISH WORD' - MEANING - 'SWORN ENEMY' - ('BLOODY FROM - THE STEM KAN, - BLOOD).

This animosity continued from 'FATHER TO SON' - until - 'THE LAST CHILD' - was - 'in fact' - 'DEAD' - or even that 'THE TWO FAMILIES' - that were involved into this 'DISPUTE' - had in fact - 'MADE PEACE'.

But 'KANLY' in question, has occurred most famously between 'HOUSE ATREIDES' and also 'HOUSE HARKONNEN' - and that between 'HOUSE MORITANI' and 'HOUSE ECAZ' as well.

The 'FEUD' between ATREIDES/HARKONNEN - has in fact gone on for millennia, since the end of the Butlerian Jihad, and that in both situations, 'KANLY' in question has in fact resulted in the dramatic success of the 'FORMER' party - over the 'LATTER' - in question.

But also 'KANLY' in question - has also required that 'CERTAIN FORMS OF CONFLICT' - were in fact - 'PERMITTED' - while - OTHERS - were also - 'NOT PERMITTED' - 'AS A RESULT', - but also that the use of 'NUCLEAR WEAPONS' was in fact - 'FORBIDDEN', - ie: 'THE USAGE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS' - usually meant - 'A SENTENCE OF EXILE'.

Also, this is classed as a 'panorama' of shimmering strangeness, which is now expanded 'as a follow-up/sequel to the original - and is also now expanded to include a 'stellar-all-star-cast' with Seydoux on a classically-feline and also an insinuating form as the 'BENE GESSERIT' initiate Lady Margot Fenning, and also a small part from Taylor-Joy, as Alia Atreides - Paul's sister - who appears in his visions, but as before when the first instalment was simply grandeur, - then the second instalment is quite outstanding by showing 'the movie audiences' of an entire created world, but also a distinctive and now an unmistakable universe, and which this will also be probably much more imitated: for this is in fact a triumph for Greig Fraser's visually and stunningly cinematography, and also a spectacular virtuosity production designer - courtesy of Patrice Vermette.

But also when you have Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-Winning German film composer on board your unique vision with a wonderful talent - you know that when Zimmer 'scores a blockbuster movie' - his compositions of soundtrack movies are worth its weight in pure 100% gold - complete with providing the right note, and as well as the right tone that's full of plangent and also grandiose - but at the end of the day Zimmer's compositions are in fact - the icing on the cake - that'll please the dedicated film fan.

Villeneuve, as a visionary film director, shows such ambition and also boldness, but has also expressed an interest in directing a 'THIRD MOVIE' in the 'DUNE' franchise entitled and also based on 'DUNE : MESSIAH' - this is the second novel in the series franchise - adding on that the possibility of the film in question - depends on the success of 'DUNE : PART TWO' - my own prediction is that this will break box-office records worldwide - and maybe, just maybe, even do better than the first movie, which by the time that you read this - 'it already has'.

Also in March 2022, Spaihts, the co-screenwriter, along with Eric Roth, also a co-screenwriter of the two movies in question had also reiterated that Villeneuve, had plans for a 'THIRD MOVIE' - as well as 'DUNE: PROPHECY' - a Television spin-off series, and by August 2023, Villeneuve, in question, personally says that his own intentions for a 'THIRD MOVIE' would in fact serve - 'as a conclusion' to the franchise series.

Just for the extreme record Villeneuve began developing a script for the 'THIRD MOVIE' - and to which he has already completed the draft of the original script, but that he also lightly tweaks, the unique and also the successful formula that was coined for the first part with the sights, sounds and also the sensual stigma of Arrakis carried over in his patented, supremely tasteful less-is-more visual schema - and that also there are those who perhaps found that 'PART ONE' : sapped Herbert's original novel of its more lurid and also the eccentric delights of a unique favour concerning of a stern, teutonic grandeur that will be highly delighted as well as also pleased to hear that Villeneuve, the director in question - who is not known for his working in warm or even comic hues by sprinkling and also scattering like Alan Titchmarsh, a well-known tv personality, and also a radio star of the first half of 'PART TWO' with some jolly horseplay - 'as you do' - and also a few salty 'one-liners' - courtesy of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and also Sir Michael Palin, stars of the 'MONTY PYTHON' TV series.

These two movies that Villeneuve has directed are superior epic movie blockbusters that has shades of many works by William Shakespeare, as well as 'GAME OF THRONES' based on a series of fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin, and also created by David Benioff and D.B.Weiss as a television fantasy drama for Home Box Office - HBO.

Many film critics (including yours truly) have praised the second instalment as an outstanding achievement in cinema history - involving the storylines and also the special effects which are quite outstanding to watch on the big screen - but from the moment you enter the auditorium with your provisions of drinks and snacks and you are strapped in your cinema seat - you are taken on an epic cinematic adventure and transported to another world which will simply take your breath away - that is simply jaw dropping to watch.

Also, as you are aware, seeing many blockbuster movies in movie theaters worldwide, will have a profound influences in all our entire lives, but also that 'DUNE : PART TWO', takes many influences to a whole new level, and with its captivating storylines and also stunningly special visual effects, - this film - is certainly in 'A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN'.

This is also the first epic blockbuster of 2024 - and also one of these epic movie experiences that you simply have to see - before you die.

AN ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE !

DON'T MISS IT !

David M.G.Mitchell.