Feline Films | March-April 2024

Hey there, movie-loving felines! Today, we're diving into a double feature that left me feeling underwhelmed, but that's all part of the movie-watching experience, right? First up, we'll journey through the sands of Arrakis with Dune: Part Two, where Denis Villeneuve's ambitious vision and stellar cast left me feeling a bit pawzzled. And then, there's Dev Patel's directorial debut, Monkey Man, which, despite its promising premise, failed to hit the mark for me. But hey, that's the beauty of cinema – sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it’s a miss. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and let's explore these films together.

Dune: Part Two (2024) [PG-13]

Well, whiskers aside, I have to claw out a rather unpopular opinion: Dune: Part Two didn't quite land on all fours for me. While I had high hopes for this cinematic journey into the sands of Arrakis, I often scratched my head. Villeneuve's tricky storytelling and sudden switches from dark scenes to bright desert views, mixed with big metal structures causing chaos, confused me more than hooked me.

Sure, the CGI, set design, and score were as impressive as a cat's agility and the casting – oh, the casting! – boasted some top-tier talent. Yet, despite all these purr-worthy elements, the film fell short for me due to a lack of coherent writing. In the realm of sci-fi and fantasy, clarity is king, and unfortunately, Dune: Part Two left me wandering the sands of confusion.

Perhaps part of the issue lies in the prominence of the star-studded cast. While Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, and Florence Pugh are undeniably talented, their celestial status sometimes overshadowed the narrative, leaving little room for immersion. And let's not forget Austin Butler's one-dimensional rise and fall from grace.

Midway through the nearly three-hour odyssey, I found myself clawing my way out of the theater. While some may sing praises to the sandworms, for me, this wasn't the cinematic revolution I had hoped for. It lacked the timeless allure of classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey or the immersive world-building of Blade Runner. Even Villeneuve's previous masterpieces, Sicario and Arrival, seemed galaxies apart from this endeavor.

As the hype train roars through the desert of reviews, I can't help but wonder if Warner Bros. Studios is banking too heavily on the success of this franchise. In hindsight, I wish I had curled up at home with a bowl of treats and waited for Dune: Part Two to hit the small screen.

5 out of 10 paws

 

Monkey Man (2023) [R]

As someone who's been a fan of Patel’s work since Skins, I was curious to see what he’d do in the director’s chair, and what he’s given us is interesting, even if it is somewhat uneven.

This movie has some notable “purr”-ks. Not only does it let Patel, whom Hollywood never saw fit to cast as a leading man, strut his stuff as both director and action star, but it also ventures beyond its standard revenge plot to tackle weighty topics like class warfare, and political corruption. Unfortunately, the film doesn't always nail its ambitious goals – the female characters feel disappointingly underdeveloped. But then again, the depth of characters seems to be scarce across the film.

And let's talk about the action — it's not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for a barrage of blood and gore that may leave you reaching for the kitty litter. While it adds a visceral kick, it occasionally crosses the line into unnecessary cruelty.

But despite its flaws, this flick is as watchable as a cat chasing a laser pointer. It had me purring with laughter and excitedly on the edge of my seat. In short, I had a cat-tastic time, and I imagine most of you will, too, if you are already a fan of action movies.

6 paws out of 10

 

The reviews above were written by Nicolly Moreno, a student at Collin College. Collin College News extends its gratitude for her valuable contribution.