DUNE: PART TWO First Reactions Hail Sequel As A "Masterpiece" And Denis Villeneuve's "Magnum Opus"

DUNE: PART TWO First Reactions Hail Sequel As A "Masterpiece" And Denis Villeneuve's "Magnum Opus"

Following last night's world premiere, critics have been sharing their initial reactions to Dune: Part Two, and it sounds like Denis Villeneuve has outdone himself with this sequel...

By MarkCassidy - Feb 16, 2024 07:02 AM EST
Filed Under: Dune
Source: Via SFFGazette

The world premiere of Dune: Part Two took place in London last night, and those in attendance have been taking to social media to share their initial reactions.

As you might expect given the the acclaim Denis Villeneuve's first film received, Part Two is being (pretty much) universally praised, with several critics hailing the sci-fi sequel as a "masterpiece" and Villeneuve's "magnum opus."

In fact, the only vaguely negative responses (one notoriously contrarian critic aside) we've seen mention that the movie runs a little long (again, expected), and there was also some criticism of the ending, which reportedly concludes on another cliffhanger.

Austin Butler (Feyd-Rautha) and Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan) are said to be the standouts among the new cast members, but Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya seem to have left the biggest impression on most critics.

Have a read through the posts below, and be sure to keep an eye out for our review next Wednesday.

The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on Dune: Part Two, the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel Dune, with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning Dune. 

The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Wonka, Call Me by Your Name), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Malcolm & Marie, Euphoria), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame, Milk), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (Elvis, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Little Women), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Love and Thunder), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter,), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Léa Seydoux (James Bond, Crimes of the Future), with Stellan Skarsgård (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (45 Years, Assassin’s Creed), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Being the Ricardos).

Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

DUNE Star Josh Brolin Says He'll Quit Acting If Denis Villeneuve Isn't Nominated For A Best Director Oscar
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DUNE Star Josh Brolin Says He'll "Quit Acting" If Denis Villeneuve Isn't Nominated For A Best Director Oscar

DUNE: PROPHECY's Rotten Tomatoes Score Revealed As First Reviews Point To It Being A Far Cry From The Movies
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bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/16/2024, 7:27 AM
I wish I was surprised, woo hoo!
AllsGood
AllsGood - 2/16/2024, 9:57 AM
@bobevanz - First Reactions. The first Dune movie Rotten Tomatoes Score has an 83% TOMATOMETER 509 Reviews
The1st
The1st - 2/16/2024, 1:34 PM
@bobevanz - I hope "general audiences" suppoert this film.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/16/2024, 7:28 AM
Scott Mendelson compares it to John Wick 4, somebody revoke his pass for life
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/16/2024, 7:29 AM
Rodrigo mentions Zack Snyder, these clowns are a joke lmao
tmp3
tmp3 - 2/16/2024, 7:31 AM
Shit looks magnificent. Considering how bad this year looks like for blockbusters, it’s nice that we still have this to look forward to. Like finding water in the desert, or - more aptly - like spice in arakkis
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 2/16/2024, 2:14 PM
@tmp3 - I hate to give these social reactions much merit, and I didnt think I could get anymore excited for this, but Ill be damned if this didnt do the trick. Cant wait!
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/16/2024, 7:33 AM
Bro said Nolan is the greatest filmmaker of this generation…idk

Denis might be a little too humble. He’s NEVER missed in his filmography
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 2/16/2024, 7:38 AM
Big fan of the totally OTT David Lynch version (probably for the wrong reasons) and the Sci-Fi Channel made a credible attempt at the first book (albeit with insufficient budget and some terrible acting choices) - but Denis Villeneuve's choice to shoot everything in a matter-of-fact way has really paid off. It gives the material a grounding that neither of the other versions met. Can't wait to see this.
grendelthing
grendelthing - 2/16/2024, 10:00 AM
@BillyBatson1000 - The David Lynch one is complicated for me. I saw it in the the theater when I was 11 having never read the book and it blew me away. A few years later I read the book and when I went back and rewatched the movie, I was confused by some of the changes they made. It's really a very different kind of take on the story. It's what got me interested and informed how I visualized the book when reading it but it's really not the best adaptation IMO.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 2/16/2024, 12:13 PM
@grendelthing - Yes, I agree. That's why I wrote "probably for the wrong reasons." Lynch was never going to be a good fit for a Dune adaptation. His skill set lies in a completely different area. Most of his best works are dream-centric; you can see how he seized on the Navigators of the Spacing Guild, their ability to fold space time in a dream-like-state whilst consuming the spice. He was more enamoured with them than trying to construct a single-cohesive plotline - as yet Denis Villeneuve hasn't even touched upon them (they're probably a mental cul-de-sac for the average viewer). Lynch also tried (and was probably obligated) to fit the entire first book into one film. That was never going to work either. Denis Villeneuve has let the material breathe - and it works really well. Yes, there's far more to the characters in the books - but it has to play to a broad audience - and it has to be commercially succesful.
JakeDaSnakkke
JakeDaSnakkke - 2/16/2024, 7:38 AM

Star Wars bottoms to Dune.
grendelthing
grendelthing - 2/16/2024, 10:01 AM
@JakeDaSnakkke - LOLLOLLOLLOL
Forthas
Forthas - 2/16/2024, 7:41 AM
I am so in love with Legendary Pictures. They were partners with Warner Brothers on the Dark Knight Trilogy, Man of Steel The Godzilla/Kong Monster verse (the only other successful shared universe) and now Dune! Instead of Warner Brothers flushing their money down the toilet on James Gunn and JJ Abrams, just partner with Legendary Pictures on all of their IP's and let them handle the production aspects. They have a stellar record of delivering hit after hit and working with the very best talent.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 2/16/2024, 8:02 AM
@Forthas - seriously. Legendary is the BEST
Forthas
Forthas - 2/16/2024, 8:15 AM
@MotherGooseUPus - Agreed! They have been a long time partner of WB and they have backed epic and profitable productions. They should just be given more responsibility to develop and produce films that are under WBs IPs.
MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 2/16/2024, 8:21 AM
@Forthas - 10000% agreed. Theyve made some of my FAV movies in the past decade or more
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 2/16/2024, 7:43 AM
me on opening day

Batmangina
Batmangina - 2/16/2024, 7:48 AM
Finally some content I can spend all the man money I saved from not going to the M-SHE-U 🤣🤣🤣🙌🙌🙌
Conquistador
Conquistador - 2/16/2024, 7:50 AM
Tickets booked! Wife's gonna love me for date night! She gets me and pretty boy Chalamet 😅
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/16/2024, 8:02 AM

If this is as good as they say, it's FANTASTIC news!

Now I just hope enough people go see it to guarantee a third film.

Regarding the cast. I think this is maybe the best job of casting I have ever seen come out of Hollywood. Almost all of the characters seem like they jumped right off the pages of the books. Chalamet, Ferguson, Zendaya... just too many to name them all.

Consider me amped to the max. We will be there day one for sure. premium tequila and cookies time for this one baby!!
mountainman
mountainman - 2/16/2024, 8:39 AM
@DocSpock - God I hope they adapt Messiah. The story of Dune cannot be completed without that one. Even if they go no further than that, I need to see that adaptation of the conflicted and imperfect ruler.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/16/2024, 8:44 AM
@mountainman -

That would be AWESOME!!!

Count me in for that if I don't croak first.

Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 2/16/2024, 8:11 AM
The first movie didn't break even, earning just $402 million on a $165 million budget. ($165 x 2.5 = $412 million)

I know people will use "muh covid" as an excuse, and to some extent they're right, but I don't see much buzz about Part 2, nor do I see it outgrossing the first one.
I see this movie doing slightly less than Paet One, and finishing with just under $400 million worldwide.


That said, what do you guys see as the big boxoffice hits this year?
Other than Deadpool, there doesn't seem to be much out there. I think Godzilla and Ghostbusters will do mediocre business, but that's about it.
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