Dune: Part Two is that rare sequel that totally crushes expectations and bests its successful predecessor. Writer/director Denis Villeneuve transports audiences to Arrakis, delivering an enthralling experience through flawless special effects and the exceptional cinematography of Greig Fraser. The performances match the breathtaking visuals, making Dune: Part Two a captivating and immersive cinematic experience.
Wow, that’s a lot of adjectives, isn’t it? I’d also throw in spectacular and stunning or any of their various synonyms.
The film picks up immediately after the events of Dune: Part One. The year is 10191, and House Atreides has been wiped out, leaving House Harkonnen in control of the spice mining operations on Arrakis. The corrupt and greedy Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) stands in stark contrast to the murdered Duke Leto Atreides. Under the Baron’s watchful eye, “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista) hunts the planet’s native population, the Fremen, determined to exterminate every last one.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), have now become allies with the Fremen, fighting together to ensure the survival of Arrakis. However, not all Fremen are accepting of these other worlders, but Stilgar (Javier Bardem) stands resolute and unbending in his support of Paul, convinced that he is the prophesied savior. This is despite Paul’s desire not to fulfill the prophecy and instead become one of the Fremen and fight the evil Harkonnens.
Dune: Part One revealed Paul had visions of Chani (Zendaya) before the two even met, and as Dune: Part Two begins, the two are getting to know each other. Chani’s initially wary of this stranger but soon discovers he’s sincere in his desire to join the Fremen and unwilling to accept the mantle of savior. With Chani teaching him the Freman ways, Paul becomes an integral player in the battle against the Harkonnens.
Yet, even as he pushes away any attempts by Stilgar and the more religious southern Fremen to anoint him as “the one,” his actions and abilities tell a different story. With each new skill, Stilgar insists Paul is following what was written and is the one.
While Paul grapples with his fate, Lady Jessica eagerly embraces her own remarkable metamorphosis into Reverend Mother. Working diligently from her new elevated position, she, much like Stilgar, strives to win over the Fremen and convince them that her son is the promised one.
Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet has grown as an actor since first tackling the role of the conflicted future leader in Dune: Part One, demonstrating a newfound depth and complexity in his performance. In Part Two, Chalamet captivates with his impeccable portrayal of Paul Atreides (or, as he’s chosen to call himself, Muad’Dib), as he skillfully depicts Paul’s evolution from a mere student to a reluctant leader, ultimately accepting his true calling.
In Part One, Zendaya’s Chani had a brief introduction, and now in Part Two, her strength and determination confirm that she’s a fierce fighter. But more than that, Zendaya portrays Chani as the only person who sees Paul for the man he is – not “the one” or the scion of a royal family. As Paul and Chani’s relationship deepens, Chani provides Paul with a genuine connection to Arrakis, its history, its people, and its beauty.
Chalamet and Zendaya have real chemistry, and their shared scenes feel intimate and unforced.
Javier Bardem’s Stilgar provides the film with its comic relief, but not in an intrusive or jokey way. It’s Stilgar’s sincerity, his unwavering hope, and conviction that his people have found the one to lead them to a better life, that makes his earnestness occasionally comical. Bardem’s terrific as a leader of the Fremen and an old-school true believer in the promise of a messiah to lead his people in their fight for a free Arrakis.
As Lady Jessica, Rebecca Ferguson brings a whole new level of intensity and authority to her character in Part Two. Ferguson’s Lady Jessica undergoes an incredible physical and spiritual transformation, and Ferguson’s riveting in scenes in which she carries on conversations with her unborn daughter.
Oscar nominee Austin Butler (Elvis) brings one of Dune’s most iconic villains to the screen, portraying Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen as a cruel and twisted psychopath brought in to wipe out the Fremen. Director Villeneuve describes Butler’s take on the power-hungry Feyd-Rautha as a psychotic killer who’s a cross between a sword master and Mick Jagger. Almost unrecognizable under a bald cap, pale skin makeup, and blackened teeth, Butler delivers a standout performance that’s one of the best of his career. Feyd-Rautha is evil incarnate, and Butler makes him a character that commands the screen. Obviously, you’ll root against him, but inwardly you can’t help but want him to make more appearances.
Villeneuve’s assembled an incredible supporting cast that includes Oscar nominee Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Dave Bautista as Beast Rabban, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Oscar winner Christopher Walken as Emperor, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring, Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli, and Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen. Dune: Part Two is really just one more example of why the Oscars need to add a Best Ensemble category.
Dune: Part Two features stunning visuals and massive action sequences, as well as intense hand-to-hand fight scenes. But, as expected, it’s the sandworm riding scenes that are the coolest and most jaw-dropping. They’ll make you believe sandworms exist. Honestly, the world Villeneuve and his remarkable team have created will make you swear Arrakis is an actual planet. It’s that immersive – especially in IMAX.
Prepare to be transported to a mesmerizing sci-fi world with Dune: Part Two, a film that has earned its place among the genre’s all-time greats. Filmmaker Villeneuve has taken Frank Herbert’s iconic novel and made it accessible to a new generation, bringing to life a timeless tale of greed, love, corruption, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of an epic battle between good and evil.
GRADE: A
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language, and some suggestive material
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Running Time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Screenplay By: Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, based on Frank Herbert’s novel
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Director of Photography: Greig Fraser
Production Designer: Patrice Vermette
Editor: Joe Walker
Visual Effects Supervisor: Paul Lambert
Costume Designer: Jacqueline West
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Supervising Sound Editor: Richard King
