Because I’m a genuine fan of IMAX, it’s long overdue to to share my evening of the IMAX Experience* for Dune: Part Two, as we hook in and ride the Sandworms to follow Timothée Chalamet‘s Paul Atreides odyssey to conclude the big screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel.

Whether you’re new to considering this option, or already sold by its vast immersive nature, there’s little doubt that Dune: Part Two is astonishingly all-consuming and mind-blowing on the huge screens. I headed off to Cineworld Plymouth IMAX, which is the third biggest in the country (proudly announced by my ticket checker on the door), and that wrapped around sensation drags you fully into the film, as their curved seating arrangement fully enveloping you as the audience.

And that involvement is what’s wild and so exciting about Denis Villeneuve’s work at this level. I’m not entirely sure how he finds the balance of keeping it grounded with Paul’s story and that character-centred progression of his journey understandable, but they also focus so much attention to offer those mighty visual vistas beyond everyday comprehension, as scene-after-scene, it’s spectacular.

Those visual palettes explode into your psyche with the reds, oranges, blacks, and whites that often finds the film at its most prolific. And yet it’s important to add, you see, that Dune: Part Two isn’t just seeing the film on a bigger screen, IMAX adds another level of escapism.

Filmed in the IMAX exclusive 1.90:01 aspect ratio, this means every frame accounts for about 26% more image, which is more of every on-screen planet, war or creation (and many deaths) plus, of course, what we’re also here for – the riding and desert attacks of those mighty Sandworms. Which I could happily watch over and over again.

For those technical fans among us, Dune: Part Two was filmed using the Arri Alexa 65 and LF model IMAX-certified cameras. And that expanse that they capture completed takes you in, to the point of such clarity and detail, that it’s difficult to not feel a part of what’s happening. Sure, there’s nothing like the fun escapism of an all-out action movie that’s simply great to sit back and admire, but I did feel that this takes it up another notch. Dare, I say, to eleven?

Like Christopher Nolan, you can understand why Villeneuve and his team are using every ounce of technology we have today to world-build and take you to another dimension, in whatever sense that the film needs. Obviously, Dune: Part Two is also aided by another stellar score from Hans Zimmer and, yes, those enormous IMAX precision sound-speakers only add to the moment.

Clearly, I can’t recommend IMAX enough and in the case of Dune: Part Two, it’s beyond worth it if you’re ready to be immersed in Arrakis once more, as it takes that canvas of escapism and pulls you into the world of Dune unlike any other cinematic experience.

Dune: Part Two is out now in IMAX

Check out Nick’s film review here!

*Only the tickets were supplied by IMAX, the thoughts & feelings are most definitely all mine!