Ty Watches "Dune: Part 2"

I have just returned home from seeing "Dune : Part 2".

I have been really anticipating the release of this movie. I watched the first, new "Dune" during the pandemic. It was released to streaming, and I took advantage and watched that movie in my home. I loved it. I was glued to my screen. I did not look at my phone once. My wife would come in and out of the room and ask questions and I would answer, and then rewind and rewatch what we may have missed. The first new "Dune" was also my first time I found myself cheering for Timothee Chalamet. That movie made me a fan, and I have not looked back. I also watched David Lynch's "Dune" during the pandemic. I did not like that version at all. It was a slog. It was boring. And it was nonsensical. So I've done the necessary homework. My dad joined me this morning, he watched the first new "Dune" on Wednesday, and we set off for a 10am screening.

I want to say, the theater was as clean as I've ever seen a theater before. The crowd was delightful and pleasant. The staff was dynamite and helpful. The Galleria 6 Cinema here in Saint Louis did their job perfectly. There were only two previews, only one commercial, and by about 10 after, we were in the world of "Dune". And from there on out I was in awe of what I was watching.

First off, this cast is incredible. Chamalet is back and does an even better job in this movie. Zendaya is given much more to work with in this sequel and she does amazing things. I was rooting for her character the entire movie. Javier Bardem was more involved, did a great job and even provided some laughs. Rebecca Ferguson did a phenomenal job with her arc in this movie. The whole Harkonnen family was terrifying in all the right ways. Stellan Skaarsgard is back and he is even more scary as the head of the family. David Bautista is back and he is cowardly and in over his head. And Austin Butler is the nephew who is the villainous of all the villains in this movie. He was scary as hell. Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken do some pretty good things here. Pugh figures to have a much bigger part in the third installment of this franchise. Josh Brolin returns and he is having a great back half of his career. And there's all the side characters and minor part actors who do some wonderful things in their very minimal screen time.

Then we have the direction. Denis Villenvue is the best sci fi director in the game right now. I trust him with any material he decides to work on from this moment on. And then there's the stuff on screen. This is an epic in every sense of the word. It was close to three hours but never felt long. The scenery, being pretty much nothing but sand, was mesmerizing to look at on a big screen. The sandworms were the coolest thing I have seen in a movie in a long, long time. I was enamored with those things. The CGI and the massive amount of people in the movie was a triumph all its own.

The story was pretty great too. The majority of the movie is a war movie. There are a bunch of battles. There are moments of strategy. There are training moments. There is hand to hand combat. There are soldiers hiding and attacking from everywhere. It was awesome. And, near the end, although it is what I consider to be the main story, it becomes a religious story, and the problems that lie within following one person. It was interesting to see the movie take this turn and everyone involved pulled it off with grace and professionalism.

I loved this movie. My dad did too. I couldn't believe that they exceeded my high, high expectations. I cannot recommend this movie enough. That is why I left my review so vague. I think you should try and see it in a theater too. I'm not a big theater goer, but this movie needs to be seen on a big screen to get the full effect. "Dune: Part 2" is amazing. Go see it. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches the Trailer for "Dune Part 2"

Yesterday I watched the trailer for "Dune Part 2".

I'm pumped. I loved the first movie. Let me clarify, I loved the first new one that Denis Villenuve directed. I was fully on board from the jump. I like the book. I have seen the David Lynch directed "Dune" a few times. I find that watchable. And I am a Villenuve fan. I know RD doesn't like "Arrival", and I haven't seen that one yet, but I like the other Villenuve directed movies I've seen. So seeing "Part 2" was not a bridge I had to cross or conclusion I had to come to. I'm in. I want to see it on the opening weekend, preferably on opening day.

I know I talk a lot about not watching trailers, but that was out of the question here. I was going to watch the trailer as soon as the official first one came out. So I did. And it rips. I'm so on board with the direction they are going in with this second movie. I know some people complained that the first one was too slow, well "Part 2" looks to be mostly action. Zendaya and Chamelet are back and they are ready to fight. Paul, Chamelet, is with the fighters, led by Javier Bardem, and they look like they are on a singular mission. Paul also rides a sandworm in the trailer. He also is trying to find and save his mom. I'm so in for all of this. Zendaya looks like she is going to kick some ass. And her fans should be happy to know that she will be in this sequel a whole lot more. A bunch of her fans were upset she was barely in the first one. Well no need to worry anymore. She looks to be a co-star in this one. Josh Brolin is back and looks badass. There is a scene where some people are burning Oscar Issac's character's painting, he was the king of his province, and that seems to set people off. Stellan Skarsgaard is back and looking as gross as ever. He is also up and moving, so that should be interesting. Austin Butler looks totally odd and painted all white. Dave Bautista looks scary and badass. Florence Pugh is here and ready to go to war. I mean, how can you not want to see this movie?

I am so stoked. I read that the writers, I stand with the WGA by the way, and Vilenuve have said that this is going to be more of a war epic, which is awesome. I love a good war movie. My favorite "Star Wars" is "Rogue One". I like movies like "Saving Private Ryan", "Platoon", "Apocalypse Now" and "The Hurt Locker". I'm here for war movies. Add on the fact that this particular war movie is taking place in a science fiction world that the creators of "Dune" made up. That is just icing on the cake for me.

I watched the trailer a few times yesterday after the first watch. My kids watched it with me. I kept telling my wife about it. My family are all good sports because they indulge me. Now you all have to do the same. But I know there are some readers who are just as excited as me about this trailer and movie. I cannot wait and I hope to see a lot of you out there on opening day. I am pumped. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.