‘Dune: Part Two’ Review

Photo credit: Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

Written by: Hailey Goebel

The sequel follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. Dune: Part Two picks up closely where the previous film ended, with Paul, his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Chani (Zendaya) and the rest of the Fremen.

Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellen Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem reprise their roles from the first film, with Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Léa Seydoux joining the star-studded cast.

Dune: Part Two is a step up from the first film in every sense of the way.

Villeneuve has crafted a visually stunning experience that further immerses you in the world of Arrakis. The film explores the vast planet and the desolate deserts in a breathtakingly beautiful way. Every scene expands on the world-building from the first film. The world feels immeasurable, with each environment's scale giving you a sense of the enormity of the planet.

Despite the density of the novel's content, Villeneuve successfully delivers it in a manner that doesn't feel overwhelming. The pacing is excellent as the story unfolds in a way that doesn't make the 2-hour and 46-minute runtime feel tedious. Villeneuve's brilliance lies in his ability to craft a complex plot and transport the audience to an entirely different world.

Every actor delivers a top-notch performance, but there is one that particularly stands out. Austin Butler portrays the character of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the sociopathic nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellen Skarsgård). Butler's performance is nothing short of exceptional. His delivery of the character's menacing voice is seamless and convincing. His commanding presence is mesmerizing, buzzing with energy throughout every scene he appears in. Butler effortlessly steals the spotlight, leaving a memorable impact.

Once again, Hans Zimmer has outdone himself with a breathtaking score that beautifully complements the visuals and narrative. Dune: Part Two has a more spiritual feel than the first film, and the music reflects it perfectly. Zimmer incorporates a range of sounds and instruments to differentiate the Harkonnens and the Fremen, adding depth and emotion to make a truly immersive experience.

Even if you have not read the books or seen the 1984 film adaptation, Dune: Part Two is a worthwhile watch. The film is on par with other iconic novel-adapted franchises like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I highly recommend it and give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.