Movie Review: Dune: Part Two (2024)

Genre: Epic Sci-Fi  

Director: Denis Villeneuve  

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling  

Running Time: 166 minutes  

Synopsis: Having survived the ambush that wiped out the House of Atreides and killed his father, Paul (Timothée Chalamet) embeds with the Fremen tribe, native to the desert-like Arrakis planet that harbours the much coveted spice. Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) believes Paul is the saviour predicted by prophecies, and Paul's pregnant mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) is anointed Reverend Mother. Fremen warrior Chani (Zendaya) is a sceptic, but nevertheless develops a relationship with Paul. As the evil Harkonnen exploit the planet, Paul leads an effective resistance and is joined by his Atreides mentor Gurney (Josh Brolin). The Harkonnen respond by appointing the psychotic Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) to crush their fledgling enemies.

What Works Well: Remarkably, this sequel matches the original for scope, ambition, majestic visuals, and rich storytelling. Denis Villeneuve maintains control of a sprawling and imaginative narrative, this chapter focusing on a rebellion, the tension between folklore and pragmatism, and the consequences of individual actions, with no shortage of thrills, romance, and deception. Paul is certain that untold misery will be unleashed should he choose to step into leadership, and yet the current trajectory of annihilation and evil prevailing is also clear. Every faction has sub-factions and internal conflicts, every agenda has a counter-agenda, and the across-the-universe tapestry is tightly woven into epic duels for control of the future.

What Does Not Work As Well: At 2 hours and 45 minutes, this is another stamina test, made more stressful by a complex make-believe world that throws up obscure names and concepts last introduced hours ago.

Key Quote:

Paul: The visions are clear now. I see possible futures, all at once. Our enemies are all around us, and in so many futures they prevail. But I do see a way, there is a narrow way through.

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Movie Review: Challengers (2024)

Genre: Romantic Tennis Drama  

Director: Luca Guadagnino  

Starring: Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, Mike Faist  

Running Time: 131 minutes  

Synopsis: In the lead-up to the US Open, tennis tour superstar Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) meets unheralded Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) in a warm-up event final. Watching them both is Art's wife and coach Tashi Duncan (Zendaya). Flashbacks reveal their backstory starting from 13 years prior, when youth players Art and Patrick were best friends and doubles partners. They both fall in love with rising women's youth player Tashi, and she starts dating the more talented Patrick. When an injury curtails her progress, Tashi turns to coaching and marries Art, whose career is taking off. Patrick's lackadaisical personality prevents him from fulfilling his potential, but he never gives up his pursuit of Tashi.

What Works Well: A love triangle within the tennis world, this is a stylish sport-as-a-metaphor-for-life drama, contrasting a winning obsession with a more relaxed attitude. Art (effort complementing talent) and Patrick (indolence eroding potential) are destined to only compete early and late in their careers, but off the court they sustain an often covert and nasty rivalry for Tashi. She is plotting her own moves with a single-minded pursuit of being on the winning side, whether playing or coaching. The three-way machinations contain enough attitudinal thorns to sustain attention.

What Does Not Work As Well: The close-up shots, scene prolongations, and dizzying time jumps are carried to excess, resulting in an unnecessarily bloated running length and jumbled storytelling. Tashi is stubbornly one-dimensional in her single-minded determination to win in-person or by proxy, and ultimately all three main characters lean into their most distasteful and selfish traits, shedding empathy like sweat on a hot match day.

Key Quote:

Tashi (to Patrick): You are the most egotistical person I have ever met in my life.



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