Dune - Part Two (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers 
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5

Plot
Dune: Part Two explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

My Thoughts
I enjoyed the first film and have been looking forward to watching the second installment. Unfortunately, I was out of the country the past couple of weeks and had to delay my watching of the film until I returned. Part 1 set the stage for the second film and the result is pretty damn spectacular. There’s a lot of meat on the bone here from a narrative perspective and ultimately is a superior film to the first, much like The Empire Strikes Back.

 
Denis Villeneuve delivers a spectacular visual (and aural) masterpiece that probably would have been better served to see in the theater in order to fully take in the massive visuals on the biggest screen possible. Then again, I’ve yet to be in a movie theater that delivers the sound quality of my home theater, so I guess I have to take the good with the bad.


Just like the first film, the presentation on 4K UHD is what you expect from a blockbuster film and it doesn’t disappoint. Shot with IMAX in mind, I am happy that the film is fixed at a 2.39:1 aspect ratio due to my scope screen. The transfer is damn near perfect and I have no complaints whatsoever. On the audio side, the Dolby Atmos track is arguably the best you’ll ever hear. Deep-hitting LFE? Check. Powerful score? Check. Ample use of the surrounds? Check. Wide front soundstage? Check. Turn it up as high as you can stand and enjoy it!


Video 10/10
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)


Special Features:

• Chakobsa Training
• Creating the Fremen World
• Finding the Worlds of Dune
• Buzz Around the New “Thopter”
• Worm-Riding
• Becoming Feyd
• A New Set of Threads
• Deeper into the Desert: The Sounds of the Dune
• UHD + Digital Copy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Qp5pL3ovA&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Pictures



Conclusion
After its stellar box office performance, Legendary Pictures announced that there will be a third Dune film, but the date is TBD at this point, so we better be patient. Fans of Dune have waited over 40 years for Frank Herbert’s popular sci-fi book to be adapted to the screen that stayed close to the source material and still thrilled audiences and their patience has paid off. The second film equals the presentation of the first but I found this second installment to be a tad more entertaining. Highly recommended.


Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Kaleidescape Strato + Server
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[DLCPhoto]

I agree on all points. I read Dune a long time ago (college??) and was blown away by it. I've been a Dune fan ever since. I enjoyed the Kyle MacLachlan (had to look up the spelling! ) one quite a bit.

I basically don't go to commercial theaters any more, and wanted to wait until my screen upgrade was done to watch it at home. My disc was delivered the day I started dismantling the front of my theater to prepare for the new screen, and I finally watched it last night. That first opening sound about knocked me out of my seat!!

[David Vaughn]

I agree on all points. I read Dune a long time ago (college??) and was blown away by it. I've been a Dune fan ever since. I enjoyed the Kyle MacLachlan (had to look up the spelling! ) one quite a bit.

I basically don't go to commercial theaters any more, and wanted to wait until my screen upgrade was done to watch it at home. My disc was delivered the day I started dismantling the front of my theater to prepare for the new screen, and I finally watched it last night. That first opening sound about knocked me out of my seat!!

What screen did you end up getting?

[DLCPhoto]

What screen did you end up getting?

I originally had a 160" 2.35:1 Screen Innovations 1.3 Gain, actually bought from AVS in 2016. I used it with a DIY Black Velvet curtain on a motorized curtain track for masking. This worked well, but not as precise or versatile as I would like. Plus some 'sparkles' in bright scenes which could be annoying.

So I took leave of my senses and went with a Stewart VistaScope EVO with motorized 2-way masking, ST130-G4 material. I've only had it in use a couple of days, and am still tweaking the programming for the masking (using Envy and Control4), but so far I'm really liking what I'm seeing. No sparkles, and the screen basically disappears.

I was able to bump up the size a bit too: 166" diagonal 2.40:1, so about 6" wider and 1.5" taller. Sitting at about 14' it provides a really immersive experience.

[SRW1000]

My wife and I rewatched Part 1, followed by Part 2 last weekend, and I agree that Part 2 is the better of the two movies.

Both films are great on a technical level.  Visuals and sound are outstanding.  Production values are top-notch.  The story is dense but still easy enough to follow.  Most of the actors are fine in their roles, although I wasn't really a fan of Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho.  My wife has read the books and wasn't a fan of all the changes that were made, but still liked the movies.

That said, I'm a complete outlier on this title and just can't engage emotionally with either of the films.  It's not just these titles, it goes for all of Villeneuve's movies that I've seen.  I can appreciate all the craft that went into them but can't connect to them the way most others can.

I'll still be picking up the 4K disc at some point, and it is definitely spectacular demo material. 

This weekend we'll probably watch the 4K Lynch version. It's been decades since we've watched it, so we're eager to give it another view.

[David Vaughn]

I originally had a 160" 2.35:1 Screen Innovations 1.3 Gain, actually bought from AVS in 2016. I used it with a DIY Black Velvet curtain on a motorized curtain track for masking. This worked well, but not as precise or versatile as I would like. Plus some 'sparkles' in bright scenes which could be annoying.

So I took leave of my senses and went with a Stewart VistaScope EVO with motorized 2-way masking, ST130-G4 material. I've only had it in use a couple of days, and am still tweaking the programming for the masking (using Envy and Control4), but so far I'm really liking what I'm seeing. No sparkles, and the screen basically disappears.

I was able to bump up the size a bit too: 166" diagonal 2.40:1, so about 6" wider and 1.5" taller. Sitting at about 14' it provides a really immersive experience.

Very nice! Post some pictures....I love home theater porn

[David Vaughn]

My wife and I rewatched Part 1, followed by Part 2 last weekend, and I agree that Part 2 is the better of the two movies.

Both films are great on a technical level.  Visuals and sound are outstanding.  Production values are top-notch.  The story is dense but still easy enough to follow.  Most of the actors are fine in their roles, although I wasn't really a fan of Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho.  My wife has read the books and wasn't a fan of all the changes that were made, but still liked the movies.

That said, I'm a complete outlier on this title and just can't engage emotionally with either of the films.  It's not just these titles, it goes for all of Villeneuve's movies that I've seen.  I can appreciate all the craft that went into them but can't connect to them the way most others can.

I'll still be picking up the 4K disc at some point, and it is definitely spectacular demo material. 

This weekend we'll probably watch the 4K Lynch version. It's been decades since we've watched it, so we're eager to give it another view.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

[Paul Heroy]

Thanks for the review David - this was an incredible experience in the theater. As my friend I saw it with said, it may or may not be the best SciFi movie (it's probably in the discussion, at least as part of a whole with Pt 1), but it was the coolest visually. And I have to say, I was waiting for the scene of Paul mounting the giant sandworm and HOLY COW was it an incredible experience to see on a huge screen. Just breathtaking and intensely visceral. 

Don, congrats on the new screen and great timing!

I read the first 2 books 45-ish years ago as a teen but haven't revisited them, and stalled out in the 3rd book. I don't remember the details just that I was blown away with the sophisticated mix of SF, history, religion, politics, world building, characters and plot, social commentary. The books were really groundbreaking for SF when published and helped show that the genre was truly capable of being a "real" literary form. 

[DLCPhoto]

Very nice! Post some pictures....I love home theater porn

Here you go!

I've attached a before and after shot. I had a friend build the 'pony wall' at the bottom to support the 160 pound weight of the screen. It has vertical 'struts' on the back of the frame, to secure it to studs in the wall.

And here's a link to a video showing it in operation. I'm using the madVR Envy to send its built-in images of various aspect ratios. All I'm doing is using the Envy remote to cycle between these aspect ratios, and using Control4, the masking is automatically triggered to go that preset position.

VistaScope EVO Screen in Action

It's working out exactly as hoped and planned!

[Craig Peer]

Saw this in the theater and loved it. I've had the 4K disc sitting here for a week - hopefully I'll have a chance to rewatch the movie in my theater soon.  

[David Vaughn]

Here you go!

I've attached a before and after shot. I had a friend build the 'pony wall' at the bottom to support the 160 pound weight of the screen. It has vertical 'struts' on the back of the frame, to secure it to studs in the wall.

And here's a link to a video showing it in operation. I'm using the madVR Envy to send its built-in images of various aspect ratios. All I'm doing is using the Envy remote to cycle between these aspect ratios, and using Control4, the masking is automatically triggered to go that preset position.

VistaScope EVO Screen in Action

It's working out exactly as hoped and planned!

That looks awesome. I shutter to think of the cost! Have you thought about covering the entire front wall in black velvet? It made a huge difference in my room. 

[bmoney]

def enjoyed this.  great presentation.  little bit of a starwars story arc 

[DLCPhoto]

That looks awesome. I shutter to think of the cost! Have you thought about covering the entire front wall in black velvet? It made a huge difference in my room.

Thanks Dave - definitely pricey!!

Most of the front wall is now covered - just a couple of small areas remain, along with the part on the sides of the window on top. I doubt there is much light reflected off those surfaces, but yeah, it wouldn't be a bad idea to cover those as well.

I actually can't believe my wife let me completely transform this room from what it was originally! 

[David Vaughn]

Thanks Dave - definitely pricey!!

Most of the front wall is now covered - just a couple of small areas remain, along with the part on the sides of the window on top. I doubt there is much light reflected off those surfaces, but yeah, it wouldn't be a bad idea to cover those as well.

I actually can't believe my wife let me completely transform this room from what it was originally!

I say the same with my wife. Our entire front wall is blacked out and even she noticed the difference in the contrast ratio. Also, our ceiling is painted black. We had quite the argument about doing that. I pledged to let me try and if she didn't like it, I'd paint it back. The hilarious thing is when she first saw it I could tell she liked the look but she refused to say so. It's a pretty funny story we still tell to this day.