If there are three magical words that can appropriately describe the situation of fueling our ideas of heroism and glorifying it to the extent that it almost feels mythical, magical, and very much fictional, it’d be “Dune: Part One.”
The way the film builds up to something and the way its sequel delivers a completely different story set within the very parameters and rules of the first film, making our ideas feel like misinterpreted delusions, need to be studied.
What is it to be a god? A Messiah? What is it to hope? What are our ideas on prophecies and faith? These were the questions I went in with while being aware of the political atmosphere, and then the film struck me with its even stronger sense of agenda.
“Dune: Part Two” is a film that delves deep into the complexities of heroism, prophecies, and faith, challenging our notions and delivering a narrative that feels both mythical and grounded. Denis Villeneuve’s direction masterfully navigates these themes, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking.
There are a lot of discussions we’d be having with this review so let me warn you well in advance that this is a spoiler review.
For thousands of years, we’ve been carefully crossing bloodlines to bring forth a mind – powerful enough to bridge space and time, past and future – who can help us into a better future.
Lady Jessica, “Dune: Part One”
Spoiler warning
No matter how sincerely I listen to this dialogue in the first film, I’ll never be able to even remotely visualize the scope and scale of this quote. The Bene Gesserit’s role in shaping prophecies and bloodlines is a central focus of the film, adding depth to their secretive plans. The manipulation of the Fremen through whispered prophecies highlights the true power of the Bene Gesserit, especially in contrast to the perceived magical nature of the prophecies.
I was blown away simply by the magnitude of their influence. The idea of them trying to bring forth multiple prophets and being influentially powerful enough to wipe out bloodlines from the shadows was breathtaking. Although it has already been announced that a series by the name of Dune: Prophecy, focusing on the sisterhood, is in the works, this film only further warrants its existence.
To feed the fremen with prophecies, which eventually end up being carefully whispered words in the minds of the fremen, feels like the real power. I absolutely loved the scene where Paul tells the Fremen that the reason her mother survived the water of life was because Bene Gesserits are trained to deal with poison and not because of a magical prophecy.
Once I was hooked on that perspective, that became my viewpoint throughout the film. I was constantly trying to bring out the motives with which the prophecy would’ve been made. It was also an interesting conversation from Chani’s perspective when she talks about how the prophecy was fed into the minds of people to enslave them into order so that when the potential Kwisatz Haderach appeared, they could control the universe and the spice by pulling the strings.
This became even more interesting when Feyd-Rautha became the potential candidate for a Kwisatz Haderach. It truly makes a lot of sense as to why someone would be a potential player only if he’s heroic. Although the way the film portrays Feyd as a hero for his people adds a layer to that perspective,.
Jessica’s transformation into a Reverend Mother and her political maneuvering add another layer to the Bene Gesserit’s influence, showing their impact across the universe. The portrayal of the Fremen factions and their belief systems is compelling, especially as they shift from friends to followers under the influence of prophecies.
While characters like Lord Rabban and Gurney Halleck felt somewhat extraneous, the performances by Dave Bautista and Josh Brolin were commendable. Rabban always felt like a character I would never take seriously, right from the first film itself. I never understood the whole build-up of Gurney calling Harkkonnens brutal based on Rabban.
I feel the film would only have saved time without this specific arc, and it could’ve been allotted to more important perspectives. Maybe a little more of Chani, or Paul and Chani… Or maybe a little for the emperor because, for someone who hasn’t read the books, the emperor never felt intimidating, and the small war action sequence at the end with the Shai-Hulud just sort of made the whole ball drop in the court of the fremen because there’s not a single moment in this film where I felt the power of the Sardaukar army that was established in the first film. There’s no matching the Fremen, and that’s why nothing felt like a strong opposition.
The film’s pacing and Hans Zimmer’s score create a captivating experience, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The Cinematography followed by lighting and visual effects is stunning, particularly in scenes like Feyd walking through the passageway with fireworks, showcasing the film’s visual prowess. The costumes and set design feels rich and sets a quality standard for epic mythical sagas in the future. Jessica’s Reverend mother costume design might me one of my favorite designs in a film ever!
“Dune” as a story resonates with its exploration of politics, religion, ecology, and power, making it a compelling narrative. Timothy Chalamet’s performance as Paul Atreides is captivating, showing a remarkable range from innocent prince to the powerful Lisan – Al- Gaib. His scene in the sietch where he announces himself as the voice from the outer world might be his best performance till date.
Zendaya delivers a strong performance, especially in her final scene, where she portrays anger, pain, heartbreak, betrayal without uttering a word. Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha has to be among my favorite performances ever as he menacingly takes control of the entire scene. The end duel between him and Paul is easily one of my favorite sequences because frankly, the outcome wasn’t a 100% on Paul’s side due to the multiple prophets theory.
I wish we had more material with him to admire. Javier Bardem is amazing as Stilgar, he not only adds a comic relief to the film but also provides the necessary faction of religious fanatism which uplifts the theme of the overall film about heroes in power. Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan was amazing. Even for a short period, I felt like I’d have loved more of her. Léa Seydoux was amazing as Lady Margot Fenring. He had a stronghold over her scenes which I loved very much.
Anya Taylor Joy as Alia Atreides is a casting I’m not too sure about. Only time will tell.
Overall, “Dune: Part Two” is a mesmerizing film that not only entertains but also provokes thought on complex themes, making it a standout in modern cinema. It’s a lot of material to handle so maybe that’s why I’d say Denis tried his best to fit everything in a two hours and forty five minute time frame but the film could’ve maybe benefitted if it were longer. It’s not his best film per se as but still one of his masterpieces that would only get better on multiple rewatches.
I’d rate the film a 4 out of 5 stars for all its glory.
The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on “Dune: Part Two,” the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel “Dune,” with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning “Dune.”
The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka,” “Call Me by Your Name”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Malcolm & Marie,” “Euphoria”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Avengers: End Game,” “Milk”), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Little Women”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter,” “Hairspray”), Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”), Souheila Yacoub (“The Braves,” “Climax”), with Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”).
“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.
Villeneuve is again collaborating with his “Dune” creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present A Legendary Pictures Production, A Film By Denis Villeneuve, “Dune: Part Two.” The film is slated for a March 1, 2024 release in theaters and IMAX nationwide and internationally beginning on Feb 28, 2024, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
