In some ways, Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two feels like the culmination of his entire filmography. Consider the humming helicopters in Sicario, the eye-popping visuals of Blade Runner: 2049, or the philosophically dense ideas in Arrival. He skillfully weaves together complex concepts, elaborate world-building, and intimate human drama with fluidity. Dune Part One is already a stunning technical achievement, but Part Two is deeper, more thought-provoking, and bigger in scope.
HOW DOES DUNE: PART TWO DIFFER FROM THE FIRST INSTALLMENT?
If the first installment was all “table-setting” and momentum, the second entry is all pay-off and gluttonous feasting. The direction is muscular and kinetic but still finds room for nuance and subtlety. When the action takes a pause, we are rewarded with quiet moments of visual poetry to take in the other-worldly beauty of the landscape the characters inhabit. Whether riding the back of a ginormous desert worm or watching the sunset from the top of a sand dune, the cinematography extracts the lyricism and realism of the moment.
WHAT ABOUT THE TERRIFIC ENSEMBLE CAST?
The cast is uniformly excellent with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya upping the ante in terms of pathos and gravitas. Chalamet has already proven himself an actor of immense vulnerability and charisma with films like Call Me By Your Name and Wonka. His morally complex character arc as Paul Atreides is absolutely riveting to watch. Zendaya, whose character Chani was criminally underused in Part One, is given a meatier role with standout moments that illicit power and heartbreak. It is also worth mentioning Javier Bardem and Rebecca Ferguson, who provide humor and horror in their respective roles. Austin Butler trades his signature Elvis persona in for a haunting, transformative, and chameleon-like performance as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Florence Pugh, in an abbreviated role, has a strong presence and poise as Princess Irulan Corrino.
HOW DOES IT FARE WITH OTHER FRANCHISE SEQUELS?
The gorgeous cinematography, ornate costuming, pulse-pounding score, and terrific performances are paired with richly explored themes. As much as Dune: Part Two is a thrilling spectacle, it also provides commentary about the intersection of war, politics, and religion. Much like our own world, these elements complicate, divide, and influence the actions of the quarreling houses contained within the film. These qualities give viewers substantive discourse to debate upon exiting. Villeneuve and Co. have crafted one of the best sci-fi epics (and sequels) of modern contemporary cinema. It joins the ranks of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Dark Knight, Terminator 2, and Aliens. Now, we hold our collective breath for Dune: Messiah.
Hear more on Dune: Part Two from Laron Chapman and other Cinematropolis contributors on The Cinematic Schematic Podcast.
