'Dune: Part Two' Review: Visually Astonishing, But Ultimately Frustrating

"Dune: Part Two" is every bit as impressive and, in its peak imagery, hypnotic as part one. Director Denis Villeneuve and his crew continue to transport us to a world of futuristic grandeur with this beautifully-crafted sequel.

Timothée Chalamet risks life, limb, and career embarrassment by pretending to ride the world's largest pool noodle in the big scene discussed in the review. The scene is chaotic bordering on confusing, but a smile comes over your face because the scene is actually working, and you believe it.

The sequel features more and larger battles and mayhem, ranging from furiously fought hand-to-hand combat to digitally created war rooms. However, it also features lots of murmuring strategy in extremely dark corridors. Among the new wrinkles: There's an old-school scene of Austin Butler's Feyd-Rautha in combat against three surviving Atreides soldiers. It's part of a section in the movie depicted in monochrome black and white.

This film isn't trying to be a zingy marvel of narrative momentum but instead a study in how the younger generation learns to maneuver around its know-it-all elders. Villeneuve and company achieve in "Dune: Part Two" is every bit as impressive and, in its peak imagery, hypnotic as part one.

The "Dune" series is not my space jam, but I believe that Villeneuve and his tiptop digital and practical design wizards are the best we have working in modern movies. The meticulously crafted design elements combine with the narrative to imagine technological and otherworldly amazings that treat their marvels matter-of-factly.

In conclusion, "Dune: Part Two" is a beautiful film transported to a world of futuristic grandeur, leaving the viewer excited for the possibility of "Dune 3" if business is good.