Dune: Part Two Review
After Dune launched in 2021, it quickly became apparent that Denis Villeneuve had accomplished something unique. While much of that movie focused on setting the table for the future, Dune: Part Two promised an epic story on the horizon. In a surprise to no one, Villeneuve fulfills that promise. The action, sci-fi spectacle soars as a conclusion to Part One, a standalone film, and a bridge to the next stories in the saga.
After the Harkonnens destroy House Atreides, Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) join the Fremen. Paul and Jessica gradually integrate into society under the leadership of religious fanatic Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Chani (Zendaya) becomes Paul's tutor, confidant, and lover, while Lady Jessica takes over as the Freman's new Mother Superior. Jessica, guided by her unborn child's actual thoughts and ambitions, begins to pave the way for Paul to become Kwisatz Haderach - the chosen leader of the universe. However, the Harkonnens fight back against the Fremen, enlisting psychopathic warrior Fyed-Rautha (Austin Butler) to put down the Fremen uprising.
Numerous individuals will think that Dune: Part Two is just another blockbuster movie. Giant spectacle is nothing new, and science fiction can easily become lost in its own lore. What sets Dune: Part Two apart from other stories of its like is how it incorporates interpersonal interactions into the heart of the story. At no time do we sacrifice character for spectacle. Each character's beat builds to the next major setpiece. This gives emotional weight to the battle scenes, something few other films can match.
Denis Villeneuve and colleague, writer Jon Spaihts, stand out for their explorations of capitalism, beliefs, and spirituality. The manner in which narratives are formed and woven to consolidate power and military action appear just too pertinent to ignore. Images of destruction of holy artifacts and figures harmed the audience. We recognize the significance of these elements since every lead actor, background character, and extra is completely committed to the setting.
Timothée Chalamet takes a tremendous stride forward, and his magnetism shines through as he ascends to power. However, Zendaya and Ferguson steal the show as opposing figures in his development. Ferguson must navigate a transition from a physical and emotional menace to a large-scale schemer. The character alteration occurs after drinking a substance, yet witnessing her mental progress is fascinating. Meanwhile, Zendaya becomes a co-lead, and her emotional journey is as important to the plot as Chalamet's climb. In many respects, she serves as the audience's surrogate, allowing us to see things from a different perspective than the zealots that surround Paul.
The harsh fights also provide Butler with great moments. His few scenes are spine-chilling, and he demonstrates that his breakout performance in Elvis was no fluke. A physical battle with Paul will be one of the best scenes of 2024, and until then, he more than deserves the sociopath term assigned to his character. Brolin, Bardem, and Skarsgård all perform to their normal standards. Despite their short screen time, Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken deliver outstanding performances. With so much talent throughout the film, there is never a scene that isn't memorable.
Villeneuve once again creates a unique visual experience. The force of Dune Part Two as an action spectacle is evident early on, but Villeneuve immediately incorporates the story's ethical and theological concerns. The graphics get increasingly erratic and unreal as Spice's presence affects characters, but it's when Villeneuve swaps settings that we see his mastery shine through. Greig Fraiser's cinematography in Dune: Part Two is even better this time, but the visual effects may be the best in any film released in the past decade. A visit to Giedi Prime serves as a major visual setpiece, with the interiors and exteriors offering entirely separate presentations.
However, Villeneuve works on the scale of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Gladiator in terms of sheer spectacle. The sound design for the fights is jaw-dropping, while Hans Zimmer's score introduces stunning new themes. The sandworms, or Shai-Hulud, become significantly more important to the plot rather than simply serving as visual highlights.
Dune: Part Two is an outstanding masterpiece of storytelling, with a flawless cast and even greater ambition on display. It's bound to enter the ranks of the great sequels, and the visuals are stunning at every turn. It's unclear whether Villeneuve will return for a third or fourth film, but if he quits after this one, he's more than proven himself as one of the finest filmmakers alive.