dune: part two (denis villeneuve, 2024)

The first entry in the Denis Villeneuve's Dune series won six Oscars, and I'm not here to say they were undeserved: Best Sound, Visual Effects, Production Design, Original Score, Film Editing, and Cinematography. I'm sure Part Two will contend for those categories as well (aside from Score ... arcane Academy rules seem to have removed Hans Zimmer from the competition). What is missing from all of those Oscar wins are: Best Picture, Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay (in fairness, it did receive nominations in two of those categories). Dune: Part Two, like its predecessor, is a marvel to look at and hear.

I could cut-and-paste my comments on the first film, but it might be quicker if I summarize. I've got nothing against the franchise, and as I note above, there is plenty to admire. I just wish I cared. I think I would care a lot more if the acting and writing were especially noteworthy, since, like the first movie, the narrative is nearly impossible to follow (and you could argue that there is more to movies than narrative, but in this case, without narrative, you're left with impressive technological achievements). But I don't care about Dune, not the first movie, not the second, probably not the third when it makes its inevitable appearance. The cast is excellent, Zendaya has more to do this time, and since the first one came out, I've become infatuated with Rebecca Ferguson and I enjoyed seeing here. I'm willing to commit nearly five-and-a-half hours and counting of my life in the cause of giving Dune a chance. But I'm still not sure why.