Social media reactions should typically be taken with a grain of salt, as they’re usually meant to drum up hype. But based on how early Warner Bros. wants the online chatter to start, it seems like “Dune 2” is a genuine winner that somehow tops the original. “Incredible filmmaking. Brilliant score. Entire cast was excellent,” wrote @colliderfrosty, before expressing how they wish the nearly three-hour-long film was longer.
On the other hand, @ScottMendelson loved the film, but did think it ran out of steam. They wrote, “#DunePartTwo is an audio/visual triumph on par with (relatively speaking) ‘John Wick 4’ or ‘Avatar 2’. Strong performances, some clever action beats but, like DUNE 1, it’s a 2.5-hour film that mostly runs out of story at the 90-minute mark and jogs in place til the climax.”
These positive reactions are mostly in line with the confident feedback the first film received — it has an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes. Unfortunately, the review embargo for “Dune 2” won’t drop until February 21. Until then, fans can relish the words of @griffschiller, who casually called “Dune 2” Denis Villeneuve’s biggest triumph to date. “#DunePartTwo is not only Denis’s magnum opus; it’s the definitive sci-fi epic of a generation. A tragic tale of blind fanaticism & corruption. A spectacular, soulful, awe-inspiring masterclass of aesthetics & mood beautifully echoing Paul’s turbulent journey. Left me speechless!” they wrote.
A major talking point for some viewers was the chemistry between Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, with @DorianParksnRec calling it “unmatched.” X user @Lulamaybelle was especially impressed by the film’s strong performances, writing, “Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya turn in singular work … Austin Butler is absolutely transformative, captivating & seductively evil. Yet another compelling performance from Dave Bautista. Rebecca Ferguson tears up the screen … Florence Pugh turns in career best work.”
“Dune: Part Two” arrives on March 1, 2024.
