Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve takes us back to Arrakis in this epic sequel
Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet get spicy in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two.
Something is rotten on the planet of Arrakis.
After barely surviving an assassination attempt that wiped out House Atreides and set Arrakis ablaze, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) finds himself lost in the desert. While Arrakis is a fertile ground for Spice (a hallucinogenic substance that is a key ingredient in intergalactic travel), it is a harsh planet with barely any water and astounding temperatures. Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) have but one chance for survival: Join the indigenous population of Arrakis, the Fremen, and hope they will teach them their ways.
They’re confident they’ll be accepted. Jessica is a member of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful female cult that seeks to control the universe via witchcraft, seduction, and political maneuvering. Their agents have spent decades on Arrakis foretelling of a messiah that will liberate the Fremen and their planet from imperial rule. Paul just so happens to resemble that messiah, and Jessica plans to take full advantage of that as she plots her revenge on those who wronged her.
Though many immediately believe Paul is the chosen one, not every Fremen is thrilled with their white savior. Chani (Zendaya) is deeply suspicious of Paul, believing the Bene Gesserit’s claims of a savior are just another way to enslave her people with the promise of a better tomorrow. But her resistance to the prophecy is shaken when Paul embraces the Freman culture and proves himself in battle.
Can Paul lead the Freman to independence? Will Paul get his vengeance against the evil Harkonnen family? Should viewers get a flowchart of characters with their tickets and popcorn?
Dune: Part Two is not for the uninitiated. Picking up right where the last film left off and throwing a handful of new notable characters in along the way, this is a film that assumes you’re familiar with the world and the previous story. And you’d better be familiar because director Denis Villeneuve is not slowing his film down to offer you a refresher. He has the unenviable task of speed-running through a convoluted plot while trying to carve out character moments and stunning visuals. The fact that he mostly succeeds is an impressive feat of filmmaking.
By casting off the need to explain, Villeneuve allows Dune: Part Two to dive deeper into the culture and machinations of the plot. In this film, we focus mostly on the Freman and their history of oppression. It’s a smart choice and one that gives Javier Bardem a chance to shine as a zealot Freman who desperately wants Paul to be the chosen one who frees his people. Villeneuve also allows Zendaya to show off her acting skills, since she spent her time in the first film trapped in a perfume commercial. I can only hope that this means Florence Pugh gets more to play in the inevitable Dune: Part Three.
Though Villeneuve has compiled an impressive cast, the real star of this movie is his cinematography. Working with Greig Fraser, Villeneuve explores the world of Arrakis in this film, offering gorgeous vistas and intricate temples to delight the audience. Even the sandworms get some background, as we learn how the Freman control them and a bit more about their biology. This careful examination of the planet allows us to grow as Paul does, learning the ways of the Freman while growing to love the perils and beauty of Arrakis. But this beauty will be dulled on a small screen. Please see Dune: Part Two in a theater, in IMAX if possible, as this is truly a cinematic experience.
And like most big-budget epic films, you’re either going to go with Dune or be bored to tears for nearly 3 hours. By its nature, Dune is a sprawling tale of wars, political intrigue, religion, and prophecy. This is a spectacle to enjoy, there’s no time for subtle character notes. And you either get swept away by the majesty and pomp, or you’re praying the sandworms find you so you don’t have to sit through another lecture on Paul being the chosen magical boy to save them all.
Luckily for Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve knows how to reign in an expansive story.
That’s not to say there aren’t sour notes in the film. Austin Butler has finally abandoned his Elvis voice in the role of sadistic Feyd-Rautha. Unfortunately, he’s adopted the voice of Stellan Skarsgård, who plays his uncle, the equally evil Baron Harkonnen. It’s a seemingly interesting acting choice on the surface — family members often sound alike — but in practice it’s confusing. Butler isn’t so much an actor as he is a myna bird, and his impression of Skarsgård is so dead-on that it’s hard to determine who’s speaking in a few scenes. This makes Butler’s character at best distracting, at worst, pretty darn funny. Let’s all be grateful that Florence Pugh didn’t decide to perform her role imitating Christopher Walken, though he plays her father in the film.
There’s also the issue of believability. While this reviewer is willing to believe in sandworms the size of skyscrapers and telepathic women who can command people with their voices, Chalamet’s believability as a grizzled desert resistance fighter is…questionable. Paul learns the ways of the Freman, but Chalamet is styled like the hero in a YA-dystopian thriller — floppy curls, perfect skin, and smooth chin. He’s a capable actor, but there is a certain physicality that is lacking. It doesn’t help that Villeneuve takes every chance he gets to frame him in flowing cloaks and robes like he’s Lawrence of Arabia’s goth little brother.
Still, it’s hard not to get swept away in the grandeur of Dune. In the traditions of most epic films, it’s more a marvel of sight and sound than performance. But that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. If you’re in the market for quality sci-fi with operatic styling and storytelling, Dune: Part Two is well worth the ticket.
Verdict: Glorious cinematography helps elevate this sci-fi sequel. See it in theaters.
Dune: Part Two is rated PG-13 and is available in theaters March 1.
