Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two has arrived and if the first part promised an epic, sprawling story, then this second part not only delivers on that promise, but also expands it in a way that leaves us wanting more.

Most of the main characters from Part One are back such as Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides; Zendaya as his lover Chani; Rebecca Ferguson as his mother; and Javier Bardem as the leader of the tribe Paul joins up with.

Part Two doesn’t waste any time with picking up where the last one left off. Paul is seen by the Fremen tribe as their new messiah who will bring peace to their home planet, Arrakis. Paul begins learning their customs such as the riding the sandworms which provides some stunning sequences with believable CGI that really looks like we’re seeing gigantic sandworms.

Stellan Skarsgard returns as the Baron of Harkonnen, who is still on a mission to eliminate the House of Atreides. He sends out his nephew Feud-Rautha (Austin Butler), who poses a credible threat.

As before, director/co-writer Denis Villeneuve has crafted a visionary extravaganza with sensational set pieces that are combined with practical locations and sets that provide us with a breathtaking experience.

Both Dune films prove that the sci-fi genre hasn’t lost its ability to create worlds with unlimited visions and characters that are unique and interesting.

Even if the story is still a little silly and complicated at times, the pacing is a significant improvement over Part One. Moviegoers who loved Part One will enjoy this film.

Chalamet provides another effective performance and so do the rest of the cast. The finale leaves us intrigued to see more of this world and I hope that becomes a possible somewhere down the line.

For the time being, Villeneuve as well as his top-notch cast and crew should be commended for their undertaking of Frank Herbert’s monumental work and should serve as an inspiration of what this genre is capable of when the material is placed in capable hands. Dune: Part Two is some impressive stuff.