Dune: Part Two is a fantastic continuation of precisely where we left off, with the Freman leading Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica into the desert for determination. It’s poetic in its interpretation of political and religious corruption, inducing a thought provoking narrative through the rubble of one burnt regime to the rise of the fallen. Having experienced it this way myself, the ideal viewing experience is watching part one mere hours apart from the start of two, so it connects fluently to combine a near perfect six hour sci-fi epic.

 

With quite the ensemble cast of both returning and new to the story here, Dune beacons them to a place of cohesion. All delivering performances that entirely camouflage the actor behind the ripe characterizations the world of Dune has hidden among the desolate spice and sand. It’s dense with lore and for those not willing to fully invest into the ideology of Frank Herbert’s words may be left bored by the experience. For those willing, this is a sharp, science fiction plot that takes aim at the insane nature the world of our own, grasps so tightly to combine religion and politics. 

 

At the core of any brilliant science fiction tale we have a story of political endeavors and religious beliefs - something we’ve seen for generations now and became ever so popular in Roddenberry’s Star Trek and Lucas’ Star Wars universes disguised under the shield of the force, lightsabers and the expedition to boldly go where no man has gone before. Dune may not have started this back in 1965 but it popularized the conceptual thesis at the time, delivering a novel worthy of thought. In 1984 David Lynch brought us an attempt at adapting Dune into a feature length project, with mixed results due to numerous limitations at the time of production. Even with these setbacks in mind, it  remains an underappreciated gem of its era. Lynch’s creation still pales in comparison to what Denis Villeneuve was able to accomplish with just half of the source material in 2021. This continuation had the responsibility to lead the way to a successful bookend or be buried in the aspirations the original left unsealed. 

 

A transcendent journey through the deserts of Arrakis, for a world encased in sand, Villeneuve manages to create a vibrant piece of cinema amongst the one note. The sand is an ever shifting mass and mixed in its beauty is the ingredient that fuels all greed and power: spice. A drug, a culinary tool, and a fuel source all in one irresistible accumulation of power. 

 

In the first part, we witness the loss of the Atreides' bloodline, with the Duke’s son, Paul seeking to become one with the natives of Arrakis. Proposed to be the messiah, the Lisan al Gaib in Freman tongue - Paul must decide if he should become one with his destiny or avoid it at all cost. 

 

The relationship teased in the first film and better explored in this sequel, still would have benefitted  through more time showcasing a growing compassion between Zendaya’s Chani and Chalamet’s Paul. Instead they’ve cleverly disguised a montage over the course of time - factors not established in part one are thrown in here to set the pace (aspects that should be familiar with those who have read the book). The Freman relationship as a whole resembles a tribe, a family but the direct connection between Chani and Paul is only partial. 

 

The goal of the Emperor of the known universe and the House Harkennon is the mutual destruction of the Atreides' bloodline. The Baron, the ruler of the Harkennon, is just as hideous as ever in his second coming, showing his weaknesses as the story transpires and a new champion emerges in the form of the psychopathic, Feyd-Rautha [Austin Butler]. The Baron [Stellan Skarsgård] was an immense threat in the first part, leading his army to an imminent victory, but here in part two we witness young Paul Atreides taking on the knowledge of the Freman and giving a fair fight. This brings Feyd-Rautha into light, fueling a chaotic vengeance between the two aimed at utter annihilation of their enemies. 

 

In all instances the combat is stunning, whether shown through an onslaught of stealth missions or in intimate hand to hand combat - Dune: Part Two is immersive in its action. Director of Photography Greg Fraser, previously DP on The Batman, Rogue One, The Creator and Dune: Part One, is a master at his craft, offering a view into another world in all its beauty and terror. 

 

At its heart, Dune: Part Two is a phenomenal continuation with a terrific cast leading the charge, transporting the viewer to the world of Arrakis and its politics / beliefs that come with it. It’s a righteous  depiction of deceit in our political endeavors and our religious followings, it’s meant to make you reconsider just how separate these two are from one another and if in the end war can be caused by something as simple as something you “believe in”? Dune: Part Two on its own isn’t a masterpiece, neither can be said for the original but when you pair them together - this tale of retribution comes appropriately close to perfection.