Dune 2-Film Collection (4K Ultra + Digital)

4.5 stars (Review of Dune Parts 1 and 2)When I read DUNE in the 70s, I loved the book! Beautiful characterizations, dense and richly detailed. I remember thinking that no one should ever try to make it into a movie. Particularly with so much subtext and internal dialog, squeezing everything into such a visual medium -successfully- would be next to impossible. The earlier movie attempts did not give me reason to change my mind.But three seems like it is the charm. The third attempted remake by Denis Villeneuve nails the essence of the main story and themes, and the cast nails the characters so well that I (almost) don’t miss what is missing from the book. Of course, purists will notice that there are departures from the book, but the changes still felt true to the book’s spirit.DUNE and DUNE Part 2 together tell the story of Paul Atreides, House Atreides and the events of the first book of Frank Herbert’s DUNE trilogy. Both movies are visually beautiful. They really do deserve to be seen on a theater screen. The interior sets are dark and grand and create the perfect atmosphere for the story to play out. The desert vistas are mesmerizing. (I love the sandrider sequences!) I cannot picture a better cast.DUNE Part 1 introduces the Great House of the Atreides family. A young Paul Atreides is the only son and heir. Commanded by the Emperor, House Atreides has no choice but to relocate to, and assume rule over the planet, Dune (AKA Arrakis), from the current ruling Great House and rival, the Harkonnen family. Dune is the Empire’s sole source of a vital and valuable spice substance. Of course, interference, treachery and betrayal from many directions ensues. Amidst maneuvering by the Emperor, the Houses, and a powerful, secretive sect called the Bene Gesserit, the Atreides family struggles to survive.DUNE Part 2 picks up immediately where the first movie ends with House Atreides apparently wiped out by treachery. Paul and his Bene Gesserit mother, Jessica, have survived and escaped to the desert and an uncertain future with the wary band of indigenous Fremen.The story’s focus expands from the political maneuverings of Padishah Emperor, the Great Houses, the Bene Gesserit, to reveal more of the indigenous people of Arrakis (Dune) with their customs, way of life and their own factions making a bid for their planet and their future.Meanwhile, Paul is making a transition from young son of a great house and outworlder, to acceptance and leader among Dune’s Fremen, and on the precipice of becoming a religious figure based on prophecies planted long ago by the Bene Gesserit. He is also increasingly drawn to a young Fremen woman, Chani. Movie-Chani’s character is actually an improvement over book-Chani. Her character has been filled out (as opposed to rewritten) and I like it. Frank Herbert, like most science fiction writers of that era, could write brilliant stories, create imaginative alien worlds and lifeforms…. but most couldn’t for the life of them write a decent female character. Without turning her into a superwoman, Villeneuve made her real and authentic to her world. Frankly, I feel the movie ending surpasses the book in the honesty and the emotional impact of Chani and Paul at a painful crossroads instead of the book’s pat, stand by her man ending.I held my breath when the first movie was announced, fearing the worst, and went from pleasant surprise to real enjoyment. When the second was announced, I held my breath, fearing that it might suffer the same problems that the vast majority of sequels fall victim to, but was quickly and happily engrossed. DUNE Parts 1 and 2 are science fiction at its best; rich, engrossing characters that don’t get lost in the intrigue, sweeping drama and adventure. I would strongly recommend, whether or not you’ve read the book.

Not sure what all the downvotes are for in regards to the quality of this release. The set does not come with blurays, so the extras from the first film are available in digital through Movies Anywhere when you redeem your card. The IMAX stuff has never been promised or suggested for any of these releases.Both of these films make up the first book of the Dune series, hence why I value them as a two pack. The slip happens to be the best art out of all the products, and it unites the coverage of both films well. The picture and sound is outstanding, and the storytelling is on point. Another high mark for the director and his crews.Denis Villeneuve has made Dune finally fit for the big screen, and this release is absolutely fantastic for any 4K collector out there. Personally, I find most of the Dune products pleasing, but the aesthetics here are top notch, and I don't need or want the blurays.These are fairly long films, and the bitrate hovers around the 50-60Mbps average for both. Very good for how long they are. Excellent sound and picture, and the films are definitely one of a kind. This is my preferred package of the films. Some may like the steelbooks, but I thought the slipcover here was high quality and felt great in hand. Easy recommendation.

Outstanding double feature. The mastering of the images and sound is, well... masterful. There have been several versions of the Dune saga. This version is the best because of how the material was adapted to the screen.The way the story is told is mesmerizing. It just pulls you in.

Want to show off the image quality of your 4K or 8K TV? Want to push the sound limits of your home theater audio system? This 4K Blu-ray double feature set lives up to all the hype.The special features and behind the scenes footage it’s also very well done.

Great movies and great value for Parts 1 and 2, together in 4k Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Looks fantastic and the sound is particularly great.Literally no one can make the Dune book today without modernizing it, and director Denis Villeneuve did it and kept their themes and messages in a masterful way. The “not like the book” people, these are called MOVIES. If you want the book that is a different section of Amazon.For the people that think IMAX ratio missing is no big deal, it has nothing to do with the screen that you are watching on. YOU ARE LITERALLY MISSING PARTS OF EVERY FRAME. Villeneuve looked down an IMAX camera when he filmed the movie, and did so for a reason. It was a ******ing awesome theater experience. Only a few select theaters got the print and I’m luckily close to one.In 16:9, this version, you are LITERALLY MISSING CHUNKS ON THE BOTTOM AND TOP OF THE MOVIE. IMAX is open matte which means it’s frame/picture has more top and bottom. It is closer to a square. These are 16:9 so the BOTTOM CHUNK and TOP CHUNK of EVERY FRAME IS CUT OFF.Another way to say it is this version is zoomed in, to fit your tv, the whole way through.I look forward to the trilogy collectors edition, one day, that has all 3 movies, optionally, in IMAX. Otherwise this is 5 star review for the value. IMAX would’ve been the cherry on top.

The pictures are awesome!Movies are great!