Dune: Part Two
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem
Directed By: Denis Villeneuve
It’s time to return to the world of Dune after a two-and-a-half-year wait since the first film. I admit that I had some mixed feelings about the first film. My feelings on Dune are similar to my feelings on director Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049, incredible visuals but a cold storyline.
Despite that, I went into Dune: Part Two curious. Curious to see an ensemble cast of this magnitude perform and curious about the continuation of the story. I left the theater more impressed with it than the first film!
Dune is interesting. It’s political. It’s religious. And there are giant worms. It’s a difficult story to adapt to film, to say the least. A lot is going on in this movie so I’m gonna explain it to the best of my ability without spoilers!
Dune Part 2 picks up as Paul Atradeis (Timothee Chalamet) and the Fremen attempt to reclaim Arrakais from the evil Harkonnen. The Harkonnen are dull, lifeless people who hate wearing color. If they wear color, they might die. (I made that part up but I think it’s probably true.)
The Fremen attempt to teach Paul the ways of the desert to see if he is the chosen one who has been prophesied. Their ways include conserving water, combat training, and riding giant worms. Basic desert survival techniques that everyone should know. Paul desperately wants to help the Fremen but fears the power that comes with leadership.
Meanwhile, Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica, (Rebecca Ferguson) is taking intense boy mom to the next level! She spreads religious propaganda stating Paul is the chosen sent to save the world as a prophecy foretold. Paul is like, “Mom I’m just trying to get Zendaya to like me and learn how to lasso this giant worm!” But Jessica is a staunch woman and continues her crusading across Arrakis. Did I mention she’s experiencing the longest pregnancy ever documented? She’s about to make the Guinness Book of World Records. She was pregnant in the last movie and she’s pregnant for the ENTIRE runtime of this movie. Jessica has been pregnant for so long that her fetus talks to her with the voice of an adult woman.
Director Denis Villeneuve succeeds in making a sequel that, in my opinion, far exceeds the first film, something that is rare. Not only does Dune: Part Two have the epic scale of the first film, but it also manages to push a more intriguing story forward with higher stakes and more intriguing political implications.
Once again, the visual effects are the highlight of the film. Villeneuve creates some phenomenal sets that fully immerse the viewer into the world. They are massive in scale and immensely detailed. Like the first film, cinematographer Greg Fraser shoots a stunning world of desert landscapes and stark planets that are incredible to look at. The black-and-white sequence on Giedi Prime is a technical achievement. This is a film that does benefit from being seen on the big screen!
The other aspect of the film that stands out is the acting. No one is a weak link in this ensemble. Timothee Chalamet continues to show his impressive talent. Going from Wonka to Paul Atreides is a pretty impressive range. He toes the line between Paul’s humble nature and his quest for power. Through the course of the film, Chalamet displays Paul’s slow loss of humility.
Rebecca Ferguson portrays a descent into power-hungry madness as the Reverend Mother. It’s a truly compelling, yet frightening performance and Ferguson is stellar.
Austin Butler is psychotically menacing (and maybe the baldest anyone has ever looked in a movie) as Feyd Ratha. This is an insane performance. If there’s one thing Austin Butler is going to do, it’s commit to a role!
Zendaya is probably the only stable character in this whole movie as Chani. This is an excellent portrayal as Chani watches the man she loves become slowly corrupted right before her eyes. Chani is the only person who sees Paul for who he truly is and questions his motivations. Their dynamic is real, yet genuinely sad to see unfold.
I will say the pacing of Dune Part Two could be better. It is very slow in the first act. Considering it’s such a long movie, I think some of the first hour could have easily been trimmed down. The second and third acts introduce so many characters and storylines that it’s almost overwhelming. Once we get to those sequences, it starts to move too quickly through those plotlines. I wanted to know more. So overall, some pacing issues could easily be helped by reworking the first act.
Despite some awkward pacing, Dune: Part Two is a rare sequel that improves on its predecessor. With higher stakes, a richer storyline, and stunning visuals, Dune: Part 2 is a strange, yet compelling sci-fi sequel that keeps the viewer fully captivated.
My Rating: 8/10