Dune: Part Two is finally arriving in cinemas in a fortnight, and we now have the first reactions to the long-awaited sequel.
The movie was originally scheduled to be released in November 2023 before it was delayed to March 1, 2024 due to the strikes in Hollywood last year. It meant the stars could now promote the movie, which they did at tonight's (February 15) world premiere in London.
Those lucky few to have already seen the sequel have now taken to Twitter to share their first reactions following the world premiere.
But has Dune 2 proved worth the extended wait?
"Dune: Part Two is as visually stunning and epic as the first movie, wrapping this two-part adaptation of the book with impressive faithfulness," praised Digital Spy's deputy movies editor Mireia Mullor.
"I love the action and the world-building, but its solemnity often makes everything a bit emotionally inert."
Among the others who have seen early screenings of Dune: Part Two, Eric Eisenberg of Cinema Blend wrote on Twitter / X: "Having watched #DunePartTwo, I can say I have ridden a sandworm. It's a magical experience, and the faithful adaptation fans have been waiting for (albeit w/ some smart changes). A fascinating examination of zealotry & postcolonial politics wrapped in a breathtaking blockbuster."
Gizmodo and io9's Germain Lussier wrote: "Denis Villeneuve sticks the landing with #DunePartTwo, a fascinating, terrifying character study told on a gloriously grand sci-fi scale. Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya are INCREDIBLE in it, the set pieces are jaw-dropping, & the supporting cast elevates all the rest. It's great."
Courtney Howard, of Variety and The AV Club, shared huge praise for the film as well: "#DunePartTwo/ #Dune2 is jaw-dropping, breathtaking & wildly exhilarating. It’s an adrenaline rush to the head & heart, soaring in its spectacle-driven action sequences as much as it sings in its refined, evocative stillness. 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, rising to commanding power. Florence Pugh turns in career best work."
Other early reactions called the film "a monumental cinematic achievement", singled it out as a "giant epic, a masterclass of crafts" and praised the filmmakers for "never fail[ing] to immerse in its world".
Ahead of the release of Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve has been teasing that the sequel has a "heartbreaking" conclusion that deviates from the book.
"All of the elements are there. But I think the movie adaptation is more tragic than the book," he explained. "The way that Part Two ends... it would create a total balance and equilibrium to finish Paul's storyline in what we could say in Part Three."
Should Villeneuve get to make a third Dune movie by adapting Dune Messiah for the screen, he has also confirmed that it would be "the last Dune movie for me".
Dune: Part Two is released in cinemas on March 1.
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Movies Editor, Digital Spy Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world. After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.
Night News Editor
Justin has been with Digital Spy since 2010, and in that time, has covered countless major news events for DS from the US.
He has worked previously as both a reporter and sub editor for the brand, prior to taking on the position of Night News Editor in 2016.
Over more than a decade, he has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. As a US contributor to Digital Spy, Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo.
