Dune: Part Two review

DUNE: PART TWO: 

DENIS VILLENEUVE CRAFTS AN EPIC SECOND CHAPTER THAT’S AS ENTHRALLING AS IT IS EXCITING! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: **** out of 4

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem in Dune: Part Two

 

            Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049) and Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name, Little Women (2019), Wonka) return to the world of Dune in Dune: Part Two, the second chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, Dune. I’m sure I already mentioned back in my Dune: Part Onereview from 2021 that I never read the book before and the only adaptation of Dune I had seen before this was the 1984 David Lynch version which…was not a good introduction to the story or its ideas though it is a very ambitious albeit misguided take on the story, but we’re not talking about that one today. 

            We’re talking about the Denis Villeneuve movies, I really enjoyed the first part of Dune despite never reading the book and found it to be a solid sci-fi movie with a strong story, fascinating ideas being explored, compelling characters, and well-choreographed and thrilling action scenes. I guess a lot of people felt the same way because it was a huge hit with both critics and audiences and thus the highly anticipated second part is finally here with Villeneuve once again directing and much of the first film’s cast reprising their roles. 

            Where the first Dune felt like setup for something bigger, Dune: Part Two feels like the epic event that was promised to us. Not only do I think it lives up to the first but it surpasses Part One to the point where this isn’t just a sci-fi blockbuster, it’s a cinematic landmark in the same breakfast club as Oppenheimer, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Killers of the Flower Moon from last year. 

            The film is set immediately after where the first part ended and follows exiled duke with a mighty voice, Paul Atreides (Chalamet) uniting with Chani (Zendaya-Spider-Man franchise, The Greatest Showman, Challengers) and the Freman on the desert planet Arrakis as he embarks on a mythical and personal journey to become “Maud’Dib”, the man from the prophecy who will lead the Freman into battle against the Harkonnen and to a better life with no enslavements. Paul faces a choice between the love of his life in Chani and the fate of the known universe so he endeavors to prevent a terrible future that only he can foresee. 

            The film also stars Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible franchise, The Girl on the Train, Doctor Sleep) reprising her role as Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin (True Grit (2010), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool 2) reprising his role as Gurney Halleck, Austin Butler (The Dead Don’t Die, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Elvis) as Feyd-Rautha, Florence Pugh (Little Women (2019), Black Widow, Oppenheimer) as Princess Irulan, Dave Bautista (Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049) reprising his role as Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, Christopher Walken (Batman Returns, Catch Me If You Can, The Jungle Book (2016)) as Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, The Lobster, James Bond franchise) as Lady Margot Fenring, Souheila Yacoub (Climax, Rise, Making Of) as Shishakli, Stellan Skarsgård (Amistad, Mamma Mia!, Marvel Cinematic Universe) reprising his role as Baron Vladmir Harkonnen, Charlotte Rampling (Angel Heart, Red Sparrow, Juniper) reprising her role as Gaius Helen Mohiam, and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) reprising his role as Stilgar. 

            Overall, Dune: Part Two isn’t just a sequel that’s better than its predecessor, it’s a new gold standard for how to continue a film’s storyline much like The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2, The Road Warrior, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. It has everything that made the first Dune great and cranks it up to eleven without going style over substance. 

            Like the first one, it is very dialogue heavy with a lot of exposition and talk of prophecies and chosen ones which granted, we’ve seen a million times before in other movies (To the point where I would not be surprised if the Wachowskis took inspiration from the Dune book while they were creating The Matrix). But it never feels boring because the characters whether primary or supporting are all interesting and well-defined and the world-building is very fascinating. 

            I loved seeing Paul grow as a character over the course of the movie as he transforms into Maud’Dib through his trials and him going through his own personal struggles whether it’s deciding on what kind of Messiah he wants to be and his romantic interest in Chani, both are very believable. I also find it refreshing that this being who is supposedly the Messiah with an authoritative and mighty presence is also extremely flawed and it’s entertaining to see him go through this arc over the course of the movie up until the cut to black. 

            Timothée Chalamet was already a standout as Paul in the first part, but he dominates the screen in this one since Paul becomes more powerful here and I love how Chalamet knows he is still a character with a lot of potential and humanity by allowing those aspects to shine through his performance. Chalamet makes Paul a thoroughly interesting protagonist even if the chosen one trope has been done to death. 

Honestly, the real standout here IMO is Zendaya who is absolutely phenomenal in this movie. Probably her best scene is her speech about how the prophecy is how her people are enslaved shown in the trailers, but there are several moments in the film where she is giving her all and the script really showcases Zendaya’s capabilities as an actress. 

            Austin Butler is almost unrecognizable as Feyd-Rautha and gives a more stone-cold depiction of the character in contrast to Sting’s over-the-top hammy performance from the original. It’s very different while still fits with what the character and his motivations are. 

            This is also a movie that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible whether we’re talking sci-fi equivalents of Lord of the Rings battles, riding giant sandworms in the desert, or just large-scale shots of characters traveling from one location to another. It is every definition of a cinematic spectacle and not just because it was filmed with IMAX cameras. 

            Dune: Part Two isn’t just an amazing Dune movie, but also one of the best movie sequels in recent years that amps up the story, dilemmas, and conflicts all leading up to one glorious final act. It’s another Denis Villeneuve masterpiece that is more than worthy of controlling the world with the Spice.