Denis Villeneuve's grand vision for Frank Herbert's "Dune" finally reaches its fiery midpoint with the February 2024 release of "Dune: Part Two." This hotly anticipated sequel picks up where the first left off, thrusting Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) deeper into the unforgiving desert world of Arrakis.
A Hero's Burden
Haunted by the betrayal that claimed his family and driven by a thirst for revenge against the cruel Harkonnens, Paul finds himself at a crossroads. He must choose between succumbing to the rage that threatens to consume him or embracing his burgeoning role as the Fremen's prophesied messiah, Muad'Dib. As he integrates further into Fremen society, Paul hones his unique abilities – including prophetic visions and control over the colossal sandworms that dominate Arrakis. The fate of the desert planet, the spice trade that fuels interstellar travel, and perhaps the entire universe hinges on his choices.
The fundamentalists believe he is the Mahdi, while more moderate / less fanatical Fremen mistrust him. When Paul claims he’s not the Mahdi, Stilgar tells his fellow believers (I’m paraphrasing) “See, he is too humble to admit that he’s the Mahdi. That’s more proof that he is!” It’s a long, mostly very serious movie so it’s nice to get these moments of levity.
Chani is given an expanded role but also one that is oddly combative with Paul as he gets to know the Fremen, becoming first Muad’dib before fully embracing his role as the prophesied Lisan al Gaib / Mahdi—or the Kwisatz Haderach in Bene Gesserit lore. That female-led order of mind-controlling witches has been planting the seeds of this prophecy for hundreds of years and has spent countless generations attempting to breed the Kwisatz Haderach into existence, finally succeeding with Paul (thanks to Jessica disobeying the order to give birth to a girl).
A Star-Studded Expansion
"Dune: Part Two" boasts a returning all-star cast, including Rebecca Ferguson as the fierce Fremen warrior Chani, Josh Brolin as the ill-fated Duke Leto Atreides, Stellan Skarsgård as the grotesque Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and Dave Bautista as his brutal nephew Gloss Rabban. Zendaya takes on a more prominent role as Chani's Fremen friend Liet-Kynes, while Oscar Isaac brings depth and intrigue to Duke Leto's loyal advisor Dr. Wellington Yueh. The cast expands even further with the additions of Florence Pugh as the shrewd Princess Irulan Corrino, the political heir to the Padishah Emperor, Christopher Walken as the Padishah Emperor himself, and Léa Seydoux as the enigmatic Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Margot.
A Visual Masterpiece
Villeneuve, a visionary director known for his breathtaking sci-fi films like "Arrival" and "Blade Runner 2049," doesn't disappoint with "Dune: Part Two." The film is a visual feast, transporting audiences to the vast, unforgiving deserts of Arrakis. We witness the awe-inspiring power of the sandworms firsthand, feel the sting of sandstorms, and experience the intricate details of Fremen culture – from their stillsuits that preserve water to their subterranean dwellings. 70mm allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in Paul's internal struggle as he hones his unique prophetic abilities. The format captures the subtle shifts in Chalamet's eyes as Paul wrestles with a defining choice: surrender to the righteous fury that burns within him, or embrace the destiny laid out by his visions – a destiny that positions him as the potential savior of Arrakis, the Fremen, and the very spice that fuels interstellar travel.
Equally impressive and only slightly less disturbing is Rebecca Ferguson, reprising her role of Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother. Driven by her ambition for her son, and twisted by the gruelling ritual that transforms her into the Reverend Mother of the Fremen, Jessica takes on a chilling ruthlessness, something that Ferguson manages to convey almost entirely through an icily inscrutable gaze and a collection of facial tattoos.
A Legacy Secured
With "Dune: Part Two," Villeneuve solidifies his reputation as a master of science fiction filmmaking. The film meticulously translates Herbert's dense and philosophically rich source material to the big screen, delving into themes of destiny, ecology, and political intrigue. While staying true to the spirit of the novel, the film also delivers enough action-packed sequences and stunning visuals to enthrall even casual moviegoers. Whether you're a devoted fan of Herbert's saga or a newcomer to the world of Arrakis, "Dune: Part Two" is a cinematic experience not to be missed.
By and large, many of the events from the book were told faithfully and some changes made sense and maybe some that didn’t make as much sense will once we get Part 3 (Dune Messiah). As far as a movie goes—purely on its own merits, not as an adaptation—it’s quite a powerful experience. As an adaptation, it is perhaps as good as we could expect but there are some changes that I did not like and do not understand. So onward, then, to . . .
