In the second part of Director Denis Villeneuve’s epic, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is on a warpath of revenge and joins Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen to destroy the conspirators who killed his family.
Dune, in its entirety, is a tough one to explain. There are many moving parts with dozens of key characters to absorb. One of the main complaints for casual viewers through the years has been that it’s hard to keep track of what is happening. Villeneuve has proved he can adapt the novel by how the first movie is set up. He has expertly crafted the world and the ecosystem on screen in a digestible way for audiences to comprehend, including the lore surrounding each character.

Faith In The Film

In addition to the well-realized world-building, Villeneuve explains the importance of the Fremen’s beliefs and how faith in the scripture works. There is a fascinating discussion and visualization of having Paul in a Messiah-like role. Stilgar (Javier Bardem) steers the conversation and explains why he sees Paul as this Messiah. He believes Paul can and will lead his people to salvation. In contrast, Paul’s mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), preys on the faith and uses it to keep her family safe. On the opposite side, Chani (Zendaya) falls in the middle. She knows the stories but does not fully believe they are coming true. It does toe the line of having a white savior complex, but I think that will be remedied in the third movie.

Fierce Women

Women are also highlighted in this film. While most sci-fi movies tend to underuse women or use them to only further the male’s plot, Dune does let them shine in more prominent roles and become critical players in the fight with Paul. Rebecca Ferguson is riveting on-screen with a fierce performance. Zendaya finally has more than four lines. While her role significantly increased from the former film, she still felt underutilized until the third act. But her electric chemistry with Chalamet engrosses you in their story and makes the romance believable. Florence Pugh has a more minor role than expected but makes the most of her screen time.

Elvis Is Gone, A Deliciously Psychotic Adversary Is In

Timotheé Chalamet is constantly proving why he’s become one of the most wanted actors in Hollywood. The way he transforms from a prince to a Messiah is done in a nuanced and expert fashion and sets him apart from the other heavy hitters on screen. There is a new character unlocked for Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha. All traces of Elvis are gone, and we’re left with a deliciously psychotic adversary for Chalamet. Javier Bardem is a scene stealer and sometimes a much-needed comic relief. His personality shines through and leaves you begging for him to be shown again.

A Cinematic Work of Art

Dune: Part 2 is a visual masterpiece. The wide shots are a work of art that brings depth to a barren desert. The CGI was so well done you can hardly tell they used any. The first film suffered from too much exposition and not enough action, which is fixed in part 2. The action sequences are in perfect moments and are simply stunning. This is all brought together by an intoxicating score that amplifies each moment. Once again, Hans Zimmer blessed our ears with another gorgeous soundtrack. These elements make this film the first epic in a long time that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen imaginable simply because what you see and hear will take your breath away.

Conclusion

Dune: Part 2 is visually stunning and, at times, romantic. Its artistic nature sets it apart from every other Sci-fi movie. The story is easily digestible for casual viewers to understand, and there are stunning performances from the entire cast. While there is more to keep viewers engaged this time, Dune still suffers from a pacing problem and does not know what to do with its lead actress. That being said, it is a work of art that deserves to be seen in theaters on the most giant screen imaginable.