'Dune: Part Two' First Reactions Are In, Promising an Astonishing Sequel

Denis Villeneuve's sequel will be in theaters on March 1.

Cast of "Dune: Part Two" posing together; actors in stylish, varied formal wear on promotional event backdrop
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
Cast of "Dune: Part Two" posing together; actors in stylish, varied formal wear on promotional event backdrop

It has been over two years since audiences let out a collective "wait, what?" in theaters and living rooms upon witnessing the Dune: Part One title card.

With a runtime of 155 minutes, the first installment in the Denis Villeneuve-directed adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel of the same name featured a star-studded cast which included Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya...for a mere seven minutes.

Dune: Part Two comes with a slightly longer runtime of 165 minutes and even more big-name actors, from Florence Pugh to Austin Butler to the star of the BMW USA Super BOWL commer-CIAL Christopher Walken. The film also arrives with additional hype, courtesy of Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, who compared it to The Empire Strikes Back.

With so much seemingly riding on Dune: Part Two, does it live up to the expectations? The first reactions are in, and here's what critics and other early viewers have to say. Catch it for yourself starting March 1.

In a shock to no one, I absolutely loved #Dune2. Incredible filmmaking. Brilliant score. Entire cast was excellent. My only complaint was I wish it was longer. Not joking around. The movie is 2hr and 40 min(?) and I would have been happy to watch another hour. pic.twitter.com/6PZmfQTEAH

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @colliderfrosty

DUNE: PART TWO is a triumph. Even more immense than the first, but much more intimate — Denis Villeneuve manages to streamline the more alienating second half of the book into a riveting, action-packed epic. TWO TOWERS-level mastery of battle sequences. Zendaya is the star. pic.twitter.com/gUYD6g3onN

— Hoai-Tran Bui (@htranbui) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @htranbui

Dune: Part Two is damn impressive. Villeneuve crafts some truly VISIONARY moments. Austin Butler gives a truly transformative performance (and not talking makeup either). Very moving ending. A wee bit long? Yes. Did I forget I saw it the next day? Yes. Still, gonna be massive. pic.twitter.com/ARooLrTK8z

— Gregory Ellwood - The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @TheGregoryE

The only thing I could think of leaving the theater is that some kid will watch #DunePartTwo & feel EXACTLY what I felt watching Revenge of the Sith in theaters In 05. A sweeping 00's style epic blockbuster that takes your breath away, makes you believe in what movies CAN be. pic.twitter.com/Iy0VUKfMYt

— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @griffschiller

#Dune2 is an epic masterful cinematic experience. It's visceral, palpable & must be seen on the biggest screen possible. Watched it a few days ago and I'm still riding the high of that experience. The rich mythology, acting & story are all elevated by the visuals & sound design. pic.twitter.com/QZvCaKIBOX

— Rosa Parra (@rosasreviews) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @rosasreviews

It’s a too-rare blockbuster with proper meat on the bone - practically a satire of religious fanaticism at points, with a telepathic talking foetus. Timmy’s best performance, I’d have followed him into battle atop a sandworm myself #DunePartTwo

— Jordan Farley (@JordanFarley) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @JordanFarley

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. pic.twitter.com/bjJZJYSFvN

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @GermainLussier

Also Austin Butler as Feyd in this movie is demonic. He is literally channeling a demon from hell.

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @mikeryan

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. (2/2) #DunePartTwo/ #Dune2 pic.twitter.com/Ay5mdqTP3Z

— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @Lulamaybelle

#DunePartTwo is an audio/visual triumph on par with (relatively speaking) 'John Wick 4' or 'Avatar 2'. Strong performances, some clever action beats but, like DUNE 1, it's a 2.5-hour film that mostly runs out of story at the 90-minute mark and jogs in place til the climax. pic.twitter.com/lNBjHDL0l1

— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @ScottMendelson

#DunePartTwo is a giant epic, a masterclass of crafts from Greig Fraser’s exceptional photography to Patrice Vermette’s magnificent world building. Denis Villeneuve has delivered his magnus opus directing one of the best sci-fi films for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/Vvfs8YeFIi

— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) February 15, 2024
Twitter: @jazzt


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