Here’s a review of Dune: Part Two on 4k Blu-ray Disc from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is currently the best way to view movies in a home theater, with the exception of premium digital services such as Kaleidescape. The format allows higher bitrates than streaming services, often 2-3 times as high, allowing more detail and deeper color. On 4k Blu-ray, Dune: Part Two is presented on a BD-100 with a capacity of 100 GB of data. The 2160p (4k) video is offered with Dolby Vision/HDR10, with Dolby Atmos / Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio formats.
Movie
A sequel to Dune (2021) directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two (2024) is the second part of the new film adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. In “Part Two,” Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica have escaped the destruction of their home, House Atreides, by House Harkonnen.
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem return in “Part Two,” along with new cast members Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux.
The film has been a global success, earning almost $715M worldwide on an estimated $190Mm budget. A third film based on Frank Herbert’s novel Dune Messiah is in development under Villeneuve. And, an episodic series titled Dune: Prophecy premiered on HBO Max in Fall of 2024.
Video
As expected from the high quality of Dune: Part One, Dune: Part Two also delivers a gorgeous, earthy image that is highlighted by the saturated blue eyes of the Fremen. The images of the worm are spectacular in detail, as are the ships and harvesters of House Harkonnen that have been exploiting planet Arrakis. The textures of the set design and the details of costumes impress in a home theater environment.
Dune: Part Two on 4k Blu-ray offers an almost perfect video image. There is some banding within the first 10 minutes of the film though when the subjects are backlit by the orange sun. These, what you might call extreme gradients, have traditionally been difficult for video imagery to render in perfect, smooth transitions. Otherwise, the first long scene in the film presents a beautiful warm color palette with the subjects mostly silhouetted against the darkened sky.
The contrast ratio definitely tests the limits of TV, computer, and mobile device screens. The cave scene at 22 minutes is certainly one of the most challenging scenes, with bright skies contrasting dark cave dwellings. In comparing the Blu-ray on an LED TV, the detail does not hold up. A similar challenge is found at 30 minutes when Stilgar advises Paul. The bright sky loses some detail on Blu-ray, but holds up on 4k Blu-ray with HDR. The colosseum battle with Feyd at 1:13:00 presents another high-contrast image with bright whites that easily blow out on screens that can’t handle the wide color gamut.
One thing that is a bit disappointing is the lack of variable aspect ratios, as Dune: Part Two was presented in IMAX theaters at 1.43:1 and 1.90:1, but also in wider formats including 2.20:1 and 2.39:1. It seems Director Denis Villeneuve preferred to keep a consistent image ratio rather than switch, and the 2.39:1 seems the most appropriate for home applications.
In comparison to Dune: Part Two in Digital 4k, the 4k Blu-ray averaged about a 50 Mbps bitrate rate with somewhat higher rates depending on the scene and a momentary peak noticed at 132 Mbps. Digital 4k streams offer about 25 Mbps at best, although some Apple TV+ shows and movies get closer to 30 Mbps.
Audio
The audio experience in Dune: Part Two could overshadow the visuals though. Averaging just over 3 Mbps, the Dolby Atmos / Dolby True HD 7.1 sound is a multi-layered and complex mix that never fails to deliver a perfect audio experience for any given moment. The movie transitions from effects to dialogue to soundtrack seamlessly, never giving the viewer (listener) a chance to question what is happening or what is being said.
Dune: Part Two On 4k Blu-ray Delivers Excellent Video, But The Audio Surpasses Expectations
Subwoofers deliver incredible effects throughout Dune: Part Two. The harvesters in particular deliver incredible low frequencies when they land on Arrakis, as well as the sandworms that tunnel through the desert like traveling earthquakes. The oversized worm that Paul calls At 53 minutes is just as impactful as it was in the movie theaters, filling the sound space with wind, sand, and the sound of pure power. The height speakers are activated with special environmental effects that add to the immersive qualities of Dune: Part Two. Gunshots and lasers shift left to right as if in the same space as the viewer. In Chapter 5, the RPG Chani shoots at the thopter and subsequent explosions during the battle present an onslaught of audio sources that seem to find every speaker location. But the scene is just one several in the movie that were masterfully executed. By the way, we should note the HD Blu-ray also offers Dolby Atmos sound.
Bonus Features
The Blu-ray Disc in the 2-disc 4k Blu-ray edition of Dune: Part Two includes both the Feature Film and Special Features. Extras on the Blu-ray Disc include “Creating the Fremen World,” “Chakobsa Training,” “Worm-Riding,” “Finding the Worlds of Dune,” “Buzz Around the New “Thopter”,” “Becoming Feyd,” “A New Set of Threads,” “Deeper into the Desert, The Sounds of Dune” (also available on Apple TV). The bonus material offers viewers a deeper look into the creation of Dune: Part Two from the perspectives of the actors, filmmakers, and Director Denis Villeneuve.
Packaging
On 4k Blu-ray, Dune: Part Two is available as a standard plastic-case edition, 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray edition, and Limited Edition 4k SteelBook. Those editions hit stores on May 14, 2024. On Nov. 19, 2024, Walmart released its own exclusive 4k SteelBook edition. (See photos below.)
Limited Edition SteelBook
Walmart Exclusive SteelBook
Scores
Movie
5/5
Video
5/5
Audio
5/5
Bonus Features
4/5
Menu Screens
Film Stills
