Director Denis Villeneuve continues the epic sci-fi storytelling to the first part of Dune in Dune: Part Two, which is a visually stunning, tremendously acted, and thrilling sci-fi movie that stands toe to toe with other giants in the genre, like Star Wars or The Matrix.
Picking up immediately where Dune left off in 2021, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) have taken sanctuary with the Fremen after the massacre of their family by the sadistically brutal Harkonnens. As Paul learns the ways of the Fremen warriors and joins them in their battle to destroy the Harkonnen spice mining operations, he struggles with the fact that a growing number of the Fremen believe he is a prophesied messiah that will lead them to freedom while he has disturbing visions of what will happen if he accepts that title. Meanwhile, Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) tasks his psychotic nephew Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) with the job of governing Arakkis and ending the Fremen threat permanently. Much like Part One, Dune: Part Two continues Villeneuve’s brilliant storytelling that doesn’t over-explain anything but still provides all the information you need to keep up with the story and never talks down or insults your intelligence. This part of the story is definitely more dense than the first part, as it digs into the various prophecies and plans of the Bene Gesserit but anyone who kept up with Game of Thrones shouldn’t have any problem keeping up with Dune: Part Two. There are a few plot lines and lingering threads that seem to be setting up a potential adaptation of Dune Messiah but the overall story finishes in an extremely satisfying way and I am fully onboard for any future Dune excursions that Villeneuve wants to take us on.
Everyone in Dune: Part Two is excellent, much like 2021’s Dune , and characters who didn’t have much to do in the first movie get tons to do here. Specifically, Zendaya and Javier Bardem get a huge role in Part Two as Chani and Stilgar and they represent the two sides of the Fremen and also the battle within Paul as he decides who is going to be, with Stilgar being a true believer in Paul’s destiny as the messianic Lisan al Galib and Chani, though she falls in love with Paul, believing the prophecy is just a way to keep the Fremen oppressed. Timothée Chalamet continues his excellent work from Dune and does a great job of portraying Paul’s inner conflict and his change as his power continues to grow and his destiny begins to clarify. Of the many new cast members, Austin Butler is by far the standout, going completely unhinged and terrifying as Feyd-Rautha, this version is a far cry from the preening, speedo-wearing Sting of David Lynch’s Dune. With the first movie focusing on House Atreides, Dune: Part Two digs into the Fremen and Harkonnens, giving you tons of incredible world-building and insight into the different cultures, with the Harkonnens in particular just being an absolute nightmare world that exists under a black moon that has Hellraiser Cenobite vibes from the people. Feyd-Rautha’s introduction is a jaw-dropping sequence that puts him into a gladiatorial battle shot in horrifically beautiful black & white (I think actually it’s some sort of infrared film technique). There’s not a bad performance in the film and everyone feels 100% committed to making the world of Dune feel real and impactful.
The stunning visuals of 2021’s Dune continue in Dune: Part Two and while some things like the Ornithopter’s maybe aren’t quite as impactful as seeing them the first time, there’s plenty of new awe-inspiring sights to see. Along with the previously mentioned Harkonnen arena sequence, there are incredible sequences throughout, like Paul’s first ride on a sandworm, the Fremen’s attacks on the various spice operations, and the massive final battle. Complimented by Hans Zimmer’s magnificent score, Dune: Part Two is one of the most incredible cinematic experiences in recent years.
Dune: Part Two is a masterpiece on almost every level and cements Denis Villeneuve as one of the greatest directors working today. His storytelling, visual style, and action bring the world of Dune to life in an astonishing way and the combined parts of Dune are the equal of anything you want to stack against it from the world of sci-fi and fantasy. I will be there on day one for whatever Villeneuve does next especially if he continues to explore the world of Dune with more sequels.
