The world of movie blockbusters has changed. Audiences are becoming more intelligent and less inclined to shovel down simple paint-by-numbers flicks. What once were guaranteed money makers have recently become Hollywood’s biggest bombs. Audiences expect more, or at least different, yet the major studios may not yet know how to capitalize on that expectation.
Enter Dune Part 2. The sequel to the adaptation of the Frank Herbert science fiction opus. In 2021, director Denis Villeneuve presented his take on part of the story and spent his time building showcasing the rift between two competing monarchies.
He told the story of Paul Atreides, a potential chosen one whose family is sent to rule over and collect the planet’s priceless substance, spice. He doesn’t quite know his role in the world, but traumatic events seemingly guide him to visions he’s previously had.
Dune Part Two continues Paul’s story as he unites with the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis, in an attempt to become stronger and get revenge on the villainous Harkonnen family.
If the first Dune film didn’t swoon you, this installment won’t exactly charm you either. It takes all the expository politics of the first movie and doubles down by adding religion and prophecies. The story could be boiled down to a freedom fighter leading a resistance to take down a greedy monarchy, but the complications of each character add several layers to the adventure. What could be a predictable plot, instead makes us question the agenda of the protagonists we believed in previously. Certain character decisions may truly make general audiences feel disconnected from the story.
Okay, I’ve got the negatives behind me. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen the movie and I still think about it. Where part one sets up a potentially cool journey for Paul, the sequel now delivers all that was promised. This isn’t technically an action movie, but the action scenes are incredibly exciting. If you plan to see this, it’s worth the price of a big screen ticket. The sound design, combined with the action on screen, will push you into your seat and make you feel every dune that the sandworms crash into.
Dune Part Two is worth seeing for the technical achievements alone. Cinematographer Greg Frazier captures a near lifeless planet but it feels so immersive and threatening at the same time. Add the booming and resonant score by Hans Zimmer and you’ll be swept up in a big screen feast.
The characters here are so proactive and force the larger events to happen, rather than have choices thrust on them. While this is high brow sci-fi and could feel detached, the character motivations still feel genuine. The credit for that goes to the actors.
I’ve never previously been convinced in Timothée Chalamet’s ability to be anything other than himself, but he really showcases a range of emotions here. The emotional core of the movie is Zendaya’s Chani. She is the co-lead of the movie and we get to see many of the film’s bigger moments through her eyes.
Also upgraded from the first movie is Javier Bardem. He plays a fervent believer of the prophecy and is willing to die for the cause, yet he also manages to provide a healthy dose of levity to a high stakes experience. Rebecca Ferguson gets a significant character arc, and while she scares me a bit, I can’t deny her talent. Speaking of scary, Austin Butler joins the cast as villainous Feyd-Rautha (Played by Sting in the 80s movie). He’s constantly terrifying and has such a great villain introduction. I wish he had much more screen time.
Speaking of screen time… This sequel finishes off the events of the first Dune book. Villeneuve gave us a first part that was over 2 1/2 hours, and now caps off the story with a 2 hours 46 minute experience. The problem is, I wanted it to keep going.
The term masterpiece has been thrown around when critics speak about Dune Part 2. It is absolutely one of the great cinematic sequels, but it is still just out of reach for perfection. If you didn’t care for the extensive world building of part one, you may feel detached. However, each actor brings their A game. I’ve never cared for the world of the Dune books/franchise, but now I want to know about it all. See this on the biggest screen possible. A-
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