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Dune: part 2 = Visually grand but totally forgettable
#1
Tongue 
It appears that ChatGPT or a similar entity wrote this dull movie. Although the feeling of scale and spectacle is commendable, there was no science fiction to dig into, and character development was mostly abrupt or nonexistent. Much like its predecessor, I found this sequel frequently cold and emotionally barren at the most inopportune times. It was basically just a bunch of autistic people standing around looking bored. 

The second half is particularly monotonous as Paul trudges toward a destiny he does not want and presciently believes will be his damnation — and by extension, the universe’s. Not that I thought any of this during the picture’s opening half. It is during this section that Paul settles in with the Fremen, and some of that is interesting. I think we should have seen more of this weird planet and how the spice was affecting Paul, what made him truly special, and so forth. You know, science fiction. Instead, we get a totally forgettable screensaver movie.

Despite the Beast Rabban's (Dave Bautista) buildup as some badass, his character was highly disappointing. His attack on a Fremen stronghold was super weak. It was just him and maybe 20 support troops (this is supposed to be a planetary governor?) and he just ran away and then later is killed in 2 seconds. 

After the third half, there is a noticeable increase in the pace of events, as if there is a financial constraint or urgency. The subsequent assault by the Fremen on a spice harvester, captured through expansive views and gripping close-ups, is absolutely captivating. However, the ultimate confrontation between the Fremen and Outworlders, as well as between Feyd-Rautha and Paul, seemed hurried and lacking in excitement. The lack of any sort of relationship between Feyd-Rautha and Paul makes their final confrontation feel impersonal. Like the rest of the ending, it just sort of happens.

When the Fremen board the Imperial ships to wage jihad—er, “holy war”—on the Great Houses, it seems a little strange—like you're going to outer space, what exactly are you going to do there?

I was not really moved by any of it, I guess there is a science fiction story here, but it falls flat in many ways. A lot of the big action stuff—a massive war between the Fremen and the Harkonnen and Imperial forces—happens off-screen. It all sort of wraps up in a hurry. The good guys make such quick work out of the Harkonnen forces and these supposedly super, duper elite Sardaukar, it’s almost laughable. It was barely an inconvenience.

Villeneuve presents numerous visually nice scenes, but frequently concludes them abruptly. The movie consists of thrilling anticipation that ultimately culminates in a dissatisfying and somewhat cursory resolution. Although I found the director's artistic enthusiasm cute, I was equally dissatisfied with my lack of emotional investment in the majority of the characters or their struggles. And most of all, there was no science fiction. Just a dull ChatGPT creation.

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Dune: part 2 = Visually grand but totally forgettable - by PAG - 03-07-2024, 03:42 PM

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