I definitely felt the rush in the transition from North to South; I wish we had spent more time in this period because, for me at least, I found Paul's final turn toward darkness to have been weakly motivated (onscreen). And it's worth talking about how the movie chose to cram something like 5-10 years into perhaps 6 months. Also, honestly, most of what happens around the blue juice didn't work for me. I also didn't buy Jessica's turn, and then, despite Paul having spent so much time fighting his destiny, the blue juice ex machina / script focusing largely on the surprise Harkonnen connection, didn't land for me. That to me then leading into the issues you described here really made me wish we had an additional 15-20 minutes (and I look forward to a Director's Cut with More).
I would have cut the arena scene. For me, it added nothing. It wasn’t central to the “Paul/Fremen/Worm” storyline. This movie haunts me in a way the first didn’t.
Paul could have chosen love, but chose power instead.
I can't agree about the Arena scene. Imo, it's a great intro to Feyd-Rautha and helps convey that Part 2 has a more novelistic scope than Part 1, with multiple viewpoint characters.
Also, super stylized. But yeah, definitely more hits you more emotionally than Part 1.
Hmm… I’ve never liked films that introduce violence or violent sequences for the sake of emotional appeal. I would much rather have a well-thought script, better defined characters. The arena scene cane at the expense of both. More time could have been better spent elsewhere.
If u thought the climax was rushed you never read and appreciated the books. The true heart of the story is Paul's anguish over what he needed to become and the consequences. The movie nailed that
I never said it didn't deliver on Paul's arc, anguish, etc. Just that after all the buildup the execution of the final campaign against the emperor was too brief and a letdown.
CGI battles are boring. Villeneuve did what Marvel should have done to nearly all their films: Truncate the endless animated battle sequences that dominate the third acts of these blockbuster films, give us the key character beats leading into the battle and back out of it, and keep the proceedings fresh.
That said, I would like to know how passengers get on the worms, given how challenging it is for the pilot to do so. So if we can see that in more detail in part 3, cool!
I get the stuff about Marvel but I think battle scenes with CG can be pretty exciting if done right. Plus, I'm certain Villeneuve was using a lot of actual extras in that big Fremen/Sardaukar faceoff. He does huge crowds scenes in other parts of the movie too.
I definitely felt the rush in the transition from North to South; I wish we had spent more time in this period because, for me at least, I found Paul's final turn toward darkness to have been weakly motivated (onscreen). And it's worth talking about how the movie chose to cram something like 5-10 years into perhaps 6 months. Also, honestly, most of what happens around the blue juice didn't work for me. I also didn't buy Jessica's turn, and then, despite Paul having spent so much time fighting his destiny, the blue juice ex machina / script focusing largely on the surprise Harkonnen connection, didn't land for me. That to me then leading into the issues you described here really made me wish we had an additional 15-20 minutes (and I look forward to a Director's Cut with More).
I would have cut the arena scene. For me, it added nothing. It wasn’t central to the “Paul/Fremen/Worm” storyline. This movie haunts me in a way the first didn’t.
Paul could have chosen love, but chose power instead.
I can't agree about the Arena scene. Imo, it's a great intro to Feyd-Rautha and helps convey that Part 2 has a more novelistic scope than Part 1, with multiple viewpoint characters.
Also, super stylized. But yeah, definitely more hits you more emotionally than Part 1.
I loooved the stylization and direction on the arena scene. One of my favourite parts!
Those sex demon guys in black were especially cool!
Hmm… I’ve never liked films that introduce violence or violent sequences for the sake of emotional appeal. I would much rather have a well-thought script, better defined characters. The arena scene cane at the expense of both. More time could have been better spent elsewhere.
If u thought the climax was rushed you never read and appreciated the books. The true heart of the story is Paul's anguish over what he needed to become and the consequences. The movie nailed that
I never said it didn't deliver on Paul's arc, anguish, etc. Just that after all the buildup the execution of the final campaign against the emperor was too brief and a letdown.
I saw Part 1 a while back. Wasn't really impressed so I'm not sure if I will watch the second part. Never been a fan of Dune generally.
An online friend of mine hated the first movie but surprisingly loved the second one. I highly recommend it.
Well I might check it out when it is available online. Supposedly the first one is on Netflix here.
By the way, did you get my last email back?
Just checked now. Sorry bout that. Will reply asap.
CGI battles are boring. Villeneuve did what Marvel should have done to nearly all their films: Truncate the endless animated battle sequences that dominate the third acts of these blockbuster films, give us the key character beats leading into the battle and back out of it, and keep the proceedings fresh.
That said, I would like to know how passengers get on the worms, given how challenging it is for the pilot to do so. So if we can see that in more detail in part 3, cool!
I get the stuff about Marvel but I think battle scenes with CG can be pretty exciting if done right. Plus, I'm certain Villeneuve was using a lot of actual extras in that big Fremen/Sardaukar faceoff. He does huge crowds scenes in other parts of the movie too.
Fair enough.
On the other hand, I'm glad that if he didn't have something to say with a battle, he didn't bother to show it.