New review critical of DUNE: PART TWO based on the depiction of Chani

[Piperken]

The reason I interpreted it as I did is that Chani leaves immediately after Atreides arranges to marry Irulan and the camera lingers on Chani's face, which (to my eyes) shows her pique at being betrayed. This is what ruined it all for me for the reasons I describe in the review. I know that Chani was trying (at least verbally) to put the breaks on Atreides and failing

To which I'd offer, what person wouldn't?

That scene was believable, and had more sentiment, esp. in light of how arranged marriage plots have been told (inevitably one-sided, with one voice suppressed).

It's been some years since I read Dune, but the fact that Herbert has a Fremen "become aware" of [galactic] political intrigue, when it exists in their cultural society, more just reflects the book's age.

Villenueve's efforts to highlight Fremen culture, in rituals, with their own internal rivalries revolving as constellations about those, I welcome.

Structurally, I feel more of the problems mentioned lay in the decision on how the story was split over the several films, and the organic problems that arise when one paces a story through a film trilogy or similar.

I liked the first film immensely despite its pacing, the second felt more action-packed; I happened to not like it as much.

Addendum: Moments from the 1st film will stick with me more years from now; that could be a combination of I was in the right mood to see it at the time, the film set the style of what to expect for the trilogy as a 1st time watcher, etc, all these little things lean me in that direction.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I liked the first film immensely despite its pacing, the second felt more action-packed; I happened to not like it as much.

Weirdly, I felt the same way. I liked the first film more- it really stuck with me. The second film was fine, but didn't resonate at all.

I watched both with someone who normally hates "blockbuster" (science fiction, super hero, action) movies, and their reaction was more pronounced. The first movie they raved about. The second was a disappointment.

Overall, I would say that the Dune movies are excellent as movies, as cinema, and as science fiction movies. But they provide gist for the debate about the nature of adaptation to a different media- those looking for fidelity to the source material won't be the biggest fans, but I think that adaptation has values other than fidelity, and I love these movies.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Weirdly, I felt the same way. I liked the first film more- it really stuck with me. The second film was fine, but didn't resonate at all.

I watched both with someone who normally hates "blockbuster" (science fiction, super hero, action) movies, and their reaction was more pronounced. The first movie they raved about. The second was a disappointment.

Overall, I would say that the Dune movies are excellent as movies, as cinema, and as science fiction movies. But they provide gist for the debate about the nature of adaptation to a different media- those looking for fidelity to the source material won't be the biggest fans, but I think that adaptation has values other than fidelity, and I love these movies.

But is that out of an inherent desire to see a "happy" ending?

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

But is that out of an inherent desire to see a "happy" ending?

Not sure I understand?

I think that the first movie, which other people think was not exciting enough, was actually amazing in terms of sound design and cinematography. I loved that world, and all the world building. It felt so immersive and real. The first movie really enveloped you.

The second movie was more spectacle, which didn't immerse to the same extent.

 

[Mannahnin]

I need to watch the second one again to really judge one against the other.

I loved the sound and visuals of the first one, and the performances. But it felt like it squandered the running time a bit, inadequately setting up Yueh, for example, and making Arrakeen feel too empty and meaningless. I would have really liked to see the dinner party scene.

 

[MGibster]

In this version, Chani questions the very nature of Paul as a savior....questions that Herbert himself was hoping his audience would ask.

It's right there in the first book where we have the advantage of Paul's inner monologue. Paul realizes that a jihad in his name is coming, it's going to cost untold billions of lives, and there's nothing he can do to stop it. In conversation with other people, he explains that despite his prescience he doesn't have perfect knowledge of future events and his control was certainly limited. Once of my favorite moments was when Paul realized he had lost Stilgar as a friend when he became another follower.

But, yeah, it's tough to convey inner thoughts in a movie, and you might as well have a character ask the questions you want the audience to ask.

 

[MGibster]

Overall, I would say that the Dune movies are excellent as movies, as cinema, and as science fiction movies. But they provide gist for the debate about the nature of adaptation to a different media- those looking for fidelity to the source material won't be the biggest fans, but I think that adaptation has values other than fidelity, and I love these movies.

I don't ever expect 100% fidelity when adapting a story from one medium to another. For me, fidelity is more about remaining true to the essence of the source material rather than every specific detail. Admittedly, I'm not always sure where to draw the line. As a big Spider-Man fan, I didn't get upset when Sam Raimi's Spider-Man had his own organic web shooters instead of the artifical ones Parker invented in the comics. As a fan of Rober Jordan's Wheel of Time series, when I found about about the changes from the book in the first season I didn't bother watching the show. Perrin married already? Not on my #%#%#ing watch.

I think we can all agree this is the best theme to Dune though.

 

[GreyLord]

I don't ever expect 100% fidelity when adapting a story from one medium to another. For me, fidelity is more about remaining true to the essence of the source material rather than every specific detail. Admittedly, I'm not always sure where to draw the line. As a big Spider-Man fan, I didn't get upset when Sam Raimi's Spider-Man had his own organic web shooters instead of the artifical ones Parker invented in the comics. As a fan of Rober Jordan's Wheel of Time series, when I found about about the changes from the book in the first season I didn't bother watching the show. Perrin married already? Not on my #%#%#ing watch.

I think we can all agree this is the best theme to Dune though.

I think the new one is pretty kick'n as well. Different feel and tone though.

 

[The Soloist]

I'm glad both Villeneuve movies erased the 1984 version from my mind.

I also loved Dune Part 1 more, on the first viewing. I'm waiting for the right moment to rewatch Part 2. I've learned that for some movies, it takes me more than one viewing to truly appreciate them. I did not like Empire Strikes Back when it originally came out! I hated the ending. It's only after a second viewing that I could love it.

I liked Part 2, but I'm sure I'll love it more after watching it a second time. Too many things to see and process at the same time.

 

[Ryujin]

No, I think that it was that "as their own thing" the LotR movies where great, and The Hobbit movies were not.

I would go as far as to say that the LotR movies essentially followed the major story beats of the books, while The Hobbit movies threw a Jazz drummer in at random points. I still haven't seen more than a few minutes of the last one because I just... can't.