|
|
|
|
|
In 2021, Denis Villeneuve released the first film in his own adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, Dune, just hoping that the studio would greenlight the next film in the series. The film captivated audiences and earned six Oscars, clearing the way for Dune: Part Two to build on the politics and mysticism of its predecessor.
Dune: Part Two catches up with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he’s finding a new home in the desert with the Fremen. As his pregnant mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), becomes the people’s new Reverend Mother and works to spread the belief that Paul is the messiah who’s been prophesied, he prefers to focus his energy on learning the ways of the Fremen and fighting with them. And with help from Chani (Zendaya), he plans to get his revenge on House Harkonnen and the Emperor (Christopher Walken), who helped them destroy House Atreides.
After spending two and a half hours setting up a complicated sci-fi story in Part One, the filmmakers are able to let loose a little more in the second installment. The story here isn’t as weighed down by the need to explain thousands of years of intergalactic history and politics. Instead, after getting the exposition out of the way in the first film, the sequel focuses on just two aspects of the story: on Paul’s rise as the Fremen warrior known as Muad’Dib and on his mother’s quest to convince the Fremen people that her son is the off-world prophet known as Lisan al Gaib. And as Paul goes to battle against the Harkonnen, the action and tension of this epic story continue to build.
Like its predecessor, Part Two is visually stunning—whether it’s traveling with Paul and the other warriors through the vast deserts or catching up with the Harkonnens as they struggle with their control of Spice production or exploring Jessica’s world of magic and mysticism. But, this time, everything seems bigger, grander, more striking, and more action-packed. Despite its nearly three-hour runtime, it’s absolutely captivating—a dark and haunting story that will leave viewers hoping that the reported final installment in this epic sci-fi adventure won’t take as long to be made.
While the first Dune film focused on the backstory—on the politics and drama and family histories—the follow-up builds on the effort that the filmmakers put into creating this world to give it more action and more suspense. For those who were able to keep up with the complexities of Part One, Part Two is your reward.
You can join Paul on his continuing adventures when Dune: Part Two arrives in theaters on March 1, 2024.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
|
|
|
|
