Dune: Part Two begins right after the events of its predecessor. Paul and Jessica find refuge with the Fremen and are struggling to adapt to their ways and the harsh life at Arrakis. The Bene Gesserit have previously corrupted a portion of the Fremen population with the prophecy of a messiah who would come from a different world and lead them to paradise. Stilgar, and many of his compatriots hailing from the south, believe in this prophecy. Jessica quickly realizes that this prophecy might just be the only way to stay alive among the Fremen and in their unforgiving world. She understands that it might also be the tool to wield the ultimate power for her son, who at this point wants nothing but revenge from the Harkonnens.
Paul wants to disrupt the Harkonnen’s spice extraction by attacking their operations with the help of the Fremen. He knows that if he can disrupt the extraction of the spice, the Harkonnens will not have any means of saving themselves from the wrath of the emperor, who wants nothing but an uninterrupted supply of spice. As Paul learns to adapt to life on Arrakis and becomes a skilled fighter, Jessica takes over the role of a Reverend Mother for the Fremen, replacing their previous Reverend Mother.
As she consumes a concentrated and liquefied form of the spice to complete the rituals of ascendency to the position of Reverend Mother and truly embrace the life and memories of her predecessor, she learns something that forces her to double her efforts in selling her son as the Kwisatz Haderach to the Fremen. Paul also starts developing premonitions and visions as he comes into contact with the spice more and more. These visions tell him that if he goes south of Arrakis, where the majority of the Fremen population resides, he will be worshipped and finally acquire the power to destroy the Harkonnens. But he will be the cause of billions of deaths and the annihilation of many worlds as we know it.
What happens next is what “Dune: Part Two” is all about.
Contemplative storytelling:
Frank Herbert’s original work is very contemplative in nature. It might even be cited as spiritual. Denis Villeneuve was right in adapting this aspect of the story more than anything else, as it helped fill out the gaps in the narrative wherever required. For an expansive book like Dune, which was almost impossible to adapt with its complex mythology and structure, the contemplation of the characters served as a means to fill the gaps between plot points and also convey to the audience that Paul’s thought process and everything that was unfolding had a much greater and more complex reasoning behind it than what appeared on the surface. Once this belief takes hold of the audience, they can be led to believe almost anything, and more importantly, made to empathize and sympathize with the many characters, leading to the impact of the set pieces and plot points becoming a lot more pronounced and impactful.
Ensemble of Dune its greatest strength:
The performances of the film are at the core of its success. There are prolonged moments on Arrakis where not much happens. We are led to follow the characters as they go about doing their things. These scenes might have ended up being excruciatingly boring had it not been for the immersive performances from the ensemble cast who make you feel as if these moments are important, and indeed they are. The characters and their traits are built using these moments, and you never know when you form a bond with the characters.
I was intrigued and enamoured by the delicate but passionate romance between Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya). The pace at which the relationship developed was perfect, and I was able to understand why the two of them would fall for each other. What felt a little odd though was how dismissive Chani was of Paul’s greatness even when it was clear that he was special. These portions might have been a tad bit irritating to sit through, but that doesn’t in any way spoil the warm, rich, and romantic moments that the two are shown sharing. Complemented with a ravishing background score, these moments were some of the most satisfying and peaceful in the entire film.
Rebecca Ferguson has a fantastic arc throughout the film. She starts behaving erratically after she is accepted as the Reverend Mother. This might have felt odd to many, but it is only at the end of the film that you realize why she is behaving in such a manner. I was then able to appreciate her performance a lot more, armed with the necessary information, and watch the film a second time around. Javier Bardem as Stilgar is probably the most likable good guy in the entire film. He comes into his own this time around. Someone who has read the books informed me that the tone of the character and the things he is shown doing have been kept consistent with how he was in the books. Austin Butler plays Feyd-Rautha with a vengeance. He sells the character completely and is the perfect adversary for Paul. Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring lights up the screen every time she appears. I wish there was more of her.
Fascinating visual presentation:
As was the case with the first part, “Dune Part Two” painstakingly builds the worlds that its characters inhabit and presents them in a manner that makes them feel lived-in, organic, and with their own unique characteristics. The Fremen are absolutely fanatical about how they control their water and would go to great lengths to safeguard and extract whatever little water they could find anywhere. This is something that is depicted through almost every technology that they are shown developing and using. These technologies are not digital or computerized in nature but dwell more on the real-life application of mechanics. They are about harnessing the power of the desert. The tech forms an important part of world-building, and it feels consistent, realistic, and intelligently realized. The landscapes of the planet of Arrakis are just as wonderfully realized and make for some of the most breathtaking visuals of the film.
The first part of Dune gave us limited access to the home planet of the Harkonnen. This time around, Giedi Prime is visited often, and we get to understand how the world of the Harkonnen functions and how vile and sadistic their societal order is. The combat sequence introducing Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen under the black sun of the planet, which washes away every other colour, was one of the most visually striking sequences of the film. I was equally impressed by how detailed and meticulous the designing of the interiors of each of the different dwellings were irrespective of which planet we were in. Every time we went indoors, it felt fresh, different, and organically designed depending on where we were in the film. This sense of character and organic feeling of resemblance with the kind of people who dwelled in these palaces and houses further enhanced the appeal of the design and its presentation for me.
Wonderfully executed action sequences:
The action in this film is a lot more pronounced than what we got in the first film. There are large-scale battles, hand-to-hand combat, minuscule characters riding enormous worms through the deserts, characters carrying out ambushes, and showing both agility and strategy as the fight unfolds. All these different elements are wonderfully toggled between from time to time to make us feel that we are watching an expansive battle unfolding in multiple locations. Each of these action styles has its own quality and allure, and the film’s action gains heavily from each of these elements as there is something for everyone when it comes to the action of the film. The imagination with which the action is created and the visuals that complement it elevate it to epic levels.
Hans Zimmer’s best score in years:
This is easily Hans Zimmer’s best score in years. I have always enjoyed his music, but what the score of “Dune: Part Two” adds to the film is more than just cushion and padding or a subtle guide to feel a certain way about a moment or scene. The score quickly grows on you and, along with the camera taking just enough time to help you read the expressions of the characters, adds a sense of melancholy to even the romantic bits. The music serves as the oversight of destiny on the unfolding events in Arrakis. It is as if the score is building us up to the tragedy that is about to follow and the irreparable damage that is destined to happen. The film’s score underlines this feeling throughout, and when finally, this is what happens, it hits very differently.
Final Words:
“Dune: Part Two” not only lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor but surpasses them in every aspect. With its fascinating visual presentation, wonderfully executed action sequences, soul-stirring score, contemplative storytelling, and stellar ensemble cast, the film delivers an epic cinematic experience that is both immersive and thought-provoking. Mark my words. This film is meant to be experienced on the largest screen with the crispiest sound. Denis Villeneuve’s meticulous attention to detail, coupled with the captivating performances of the cast, brings Frank Herbert’s complex and richly imagined world to life in a way that is sure to satisfy fans of the book series and newcomers alike. As the credits roll, one cannot help but eagerly anticipate the next instalment in what promises to be an unforgettable cinematic journey through the sands of Arrakis.
Rating: 4/5 (4 out of 5 Stars)
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