Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” hit theaters on March 1, facing high expectations from movie and book fans alike. The film is a long-awaited sequel to “Dune: Part One,” which was released in 2021. The two films are an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic of the same name, a classic novel from 1965.
“Dune: Part Two” boasts a celebrity cast, as it features numerous up-and-coming actors. The film features main characters portrayed by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, who reprise their roles from Dune: Part One. New additions to the main cast include Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Anya Taylor-Joy. The cast also boasts household names such as Christopher Walken.
The two movies follow Paul Atreides (Chalamet), as his family fights a violent war on the desert planet of Arrakis. “Dune: Part Two” picks up exactly where the first film left off. This was slightly jarring, as it took some time to reacquaint myself with the timeline. I fear, as someone who has read the original novel, that this may be confusing for the average viewer unless the films are watched back-to-back. After the beginning, though, the story feels easy to follow. This is impressive, as the original novel can be somewhat convoluted. The film takes that story and makes it a lot more digestible without losing its essence. All changes made from the source material were for the better. For example, Herbert’s original novel features very flat female characters, who really only serve as stand-ins surrounding Paul. In the film, however, all the female characters are dynamic, and they have their own ideas and motivations. This change makes for more interesting characters and makes the story feel more realistic.
The entire cast did a great job, and they really sold the story for me. Standout performances include Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha. Butler made me uncomfortable in the best way. His character was gnarly, intimidating, and crazy. He did justice to the psychotic nature of the character without losing the fear that his character is supposed to invoke.
Additionally, the film is visually stunning; the scenery depicted and effects used were realistic yet beautiful. The whole film is covered in a pale glow that really adds to the gloomy atmosphere. The camerawork switches from wide, breathtaking shots to intimate close-ups. This reflects the epic nature of the story while it also conveys the theme of humanity in the story. My favorite effect was the sandworms. They are larger than life and interact perfectly with the scenery and characters. The visual storytelling in this movie is a work of art in itself. If nothing else seems appealing, the film is worth watching for its visuals alone. This combined with the chilling sound design makes for a hugely compelling story.
Overall, “Dune: Part Two” is a great conclusion to a great adaptation. It has a great cast and beautiful storytelling. Don’t let the runtime be deceiving; this film will fly by and leave an impact.
