When someone watches “The Godfather” for the first time, there is a sense of amazement at the story of power and struggle to keep one’s humanity that never ceases to amaze anyone who watches it. When someone watches “The Godfather Part II,” there is a feeling of completion, a somber but fitting resolution that all that the first part left out. The same feeling is evoked when watching “Dune: Part Two.” When viewing Director Denis Villeneuve’s addition to the story of “Dune,” most will be glad to have persisted through the long wait between parts one and two. When seeing the insane amount of work that fills the screen to complete the story, it is apparent this is one of the greatest science fiction stories ever written.
To start with the obvious, the acting from the star-studded cast is nothing short of fantastic. The supporting cast plays their roles to a tee and a few surprise cameos steal their scenes every time they are on screen. To no surprise, the best performances come from Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani. Both, especially Zendaya, spent a lot of the first film teasing what they were to become later on and suffice it to say, neither actor disappoints. There is a romance that blossoms between the two that feels natural and becomes tragic as it plays out. However, most will walk away remembering Austin Butler as the psychotic Feyd Rautha. In the film, he is unrecognizable and is a far cry from his days playing Elvis. In a Vanity Fair article, Villeneuve explains “Butler brought to the screen something that would be a cross between a psychotic, sociopath serial killer and Mick Jagger.” As he plays the religious fanatic, Javier Bardem as Stilgar does not disappoint either. All in all, the cast is excellent.
It is almost needless to point out how incredible Villeneuve’s directing is, as some of his previous films have reached legendary status as being some of the best in their genres, from his work in thrillers like “Prisoners,” “Sicario,” “Incendies” and “Enemy”; to even previous ventures in the sci-fi genre such as “Arrival,” “Blade Runner 2049” and of course “Dune: Part One.” He continues that trend in this film, which brings out the much darker and culturally relevant elements that leave many in the audience with a sense of dread that lingers during and after viewing the film. If “Dune: Part One” was “Star Wars: A New Hope,” then “Dune: Part Two” is most certainly “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.”
And the music and cinematography certainly help add to the grandiose epic experience that many will get when watching the film in theaters, as it should be seen. Greg Fraiser had the entire film shot in the IMAX aspect ratio, and this is the format that the film deserves to be watched in, as it feels much more immersive and brings even more of an epic feel to the already grandiose story. This is elevated by Hans Zimmer’s immaculate score, full of Middle Eastern instrumentals and futuristic synths which bring an echo of the cultures we have in our present and give the sense there is still a sliver of what remains of us 20,000 years in the future. Both sight and sound in this film say a lot without saying much.
There is so much more to be said about this film, to the point where it feels like babbling. But one can only say so much before having to admit that some things just have to be seen to be believed. When watching “Dune: Part Two” there is less of a feeling of watching an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s work, and instead a feeling of seeing his work brought to life. This film will most certainly be the film of the year and must be experienced in IMAX while it still can be.
