Movie Review ~ Dune: Part Two

It may feel like a distant memory now, but I remember the dark days when Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune was waiting to be released. An early victim of the COVID-19 pandemic release delay, the film was pushed from its original release date in November 2020 when theaters (and the world) were closed, to October 2021, just out of firing range of No Time to Die. Highly marketed and hotly anticipated, its theatrical premiere coincided with a same-day debut on what was then HBOMax, which some felt robbed most audiences of the opportunity to see Villeneuve’s grand epic at its full potential.

Nevertheless, the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel was an irrefutable success, garnering critical acclaim and winning six of the ten Academy Awards it was nominated for. I’d also wager that its sheer scale of David Lean-esque storytelling put it in the top finalists for Best Picture as well.  What surprised many, myself included, was the film ending on a cliffhanger. After all that build-up (not just in the filmed narrative but in its actual release), would we have to wait even longer for the conclusion of this tale? Warner Brothers hadn’t even greenlit the sequel at the time of the film’s release, though Villeneuve (Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049) soon got the go-ahead once Dune (now titled Dune: Part One) started rising on critical charts and burrowing into audience hearts.

For a time, it seemed like the sequel would run into the same delays as its predecessor.  A lengthy strike of actors and writers in 2023 delayed many releases, and Dune: Part Two was moved from its announced October 2023 date to March 2024. It was not nearly as long a wait as the first film, but it was seen as a significant push by its studio to ensure enough time for the strike to resolve and the stars/filmmakers to be able to get out and promote their movie – as if this stellar finale needed it.

With Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve continues his epic adaptation, creating a narrative with co-screenwriter Jon Spaihts that expands on the lore of House Atreides and cements its place in record books of genre-defining masterpieces. Look around your local cinemas, and you’ll see screens cluttered with unnecessary reboots and zombifying sequels, then glance at Dune: Part Two to see a lightning bolt of originality and profound depth, creating an intoxicating experience much like the Spice Melange that drives the saga’s interstellar intrigue.

Picking up very nearly where Part One ended, Dune: Part Two finds Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, Wonka), now deeply entrenched with the indigenous Fremen in the desert planet of Arrakis. Alongside Chani (Zendaya, Malcolm & Marie), he walks a dangerous path involving a prophecy, war, and political maneuvering, going toe-to-toe not just with his adversaries but with an internal force growing within him. The fate of Arrakis hangs in the balance among shifting alliances and deadly battles that break out, and the themes of power and survival Villeneuve introduced in Part One come full circle by the haunting finale.

It should come as no shock that, visually, the film is a triumph, thanks to the combined genius of Patrice Vermette’s production design and Greig Fraser’s cinematography. Every frame is a work of art, capturing the stark beauty and dark danger of Arrakis with a precision that feels almost, well, otherworldly. While seeing this in a “traditional” theater is impressive enough, the use of 70MM and IMAX formats, complemented by theaters equipped with Dolby Sound, will elevate the viewing experience tenfold, making it utterly immersive. This choice underscores Villeneuve’s commitment to telling a story and enveloping the audience within it.

In all of his films until now (and to be clear, by my count, Villeneuve hasn’t directed a bad one), casting has been spot-on, and both the returning cast and new additions are top-drawer. Chalamet’s portrayal of Paul has grown richer, finding complex threads to explore embodying the interplay of destiny and agency that is both nuanced and powerful. Sidelined a bit in the previous film, Zendaya’s Chani is untethered here, bringing necessary fierceness to a character that desires autonomy. At the same time, Rebecca Ferguson’s (Life) Lady Jessica captures the essence of a mother and mentor torn between love and duty. Adding Austin Butler (Elvis) as freaky villain Feyd-Rautha and Florence Pugh (Little Women) as Princess Irulan introduces intriguing dynamics, enriching the narrative with their compelling portrayals (Pugh has far less to do than Butler, to be fair).  Returning to the sand covered world, Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos) goes big (really, really big) while Stellan Skarsgård (Cinderella) and Dave Bautista (My Spy) meance once more in their evil roles.

Villeneuve’s direction balances his eye for a grand scope and the more intimate moments that form the nucleus of an epic. This ensures each character has a journey we can feel, even as the film stretches to nearly three hours. Along with Hans Zimmer’s simmering score weaving through like a sandworm, Jacqueline West’s costumes are not only visually stunning but aren’t so outlandish that they distract from the world that’s been created. Like Dune: Part One, this is a perfect culmination of numerous departments working together to deliver a singular vision.

A real milestone in science fiction cinema, Dune: Part Two reminds us of the power of the genre to not only look ahead to what the future holds but also reflect on where we are now. In the coming weeks, at the movies (and likely in our “real’’ lives) we will be barraged with the familiar, the expected, and the ordinary. What Villeneuve and his team have given us is a product of substance and spectacle that’s not just a must-watch film but a must-experience entertainment. It’s a pivotal moment in cinema that redefines what epic science fiction can be.

And, it’s only the beginning.