Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited sequel to his 2021 film Dune is a groundbreaking achievement that shows audiences that, despite Frank Herbert’s rich world filled with confusing lore, it is possible to adapt the book series onscreen. It has been a long time since a series of movies has been this well-received. Nowadays, the best we can hope to see in theaters is a mediocre superhero film with an expensive budget, visually underwhelming CGI, and an average storyline. This movie has made waves in its opening weekend, so far grossing over $182 million in ticket sales against a budget of $190 million. This will only grow as audiences continue to head to theaters to see the sci-fi epic written and directed by the Blade Runner 2049 director.
Filmed in Jordan, Namibia, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Hungary, the scenes are visually stunning. Much of Paul Atreides and Chani’s scenes depicting their love story were filmed during golden hour in remote locations in Jordan. Paired with a magnetic soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer, the film is the epitome of an action-packed, desert-themed epic. Dune: Part Two added multiple major celebrities to the already stacked cast whose characters returned for the sequel, including Austin Butler in a major villainous role and Florence Pugh who plays an intelligent royal whose onscreen father is portrayed by Christopher Walken.
Villeneuve’s decision to film the scenes featuring the Harkonnen home planet, Geidi Prime, in black-and-white using black-and-white infrared cameras is explained by the planet’s placement being drenched under the Black Sun. This captivating decision adds to Butler’s character, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen’s, psychotic and imposing gladiator fight scene. Every single actor owned their screen time, for however long they had in the limelight. Austin Butler gives his all as a physically imposing character of calculated strength and sadistic tendencies.
Instead of following the typical formula for action and superhero fight sequences that are dubbed over with upbeat cinematic compositions, fight sequences in Dune: Part Two do not follow this common mold. In a nail-biting fight between Feyd and Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, the focus is entirely on the well-choreographed, quick movements between the two characters. The audience can feel the tension and get the sense of foreboding that is heightened by the change in composition tactics.
Dune: Part Two feels like a love story, not only in how it portrays the devastating sequence of events involving Paul and Chani, but as a love story and tribute to sci-fi epics. You can see the care that went into crafting a movie like this compared to how many other movies feel like they were made in a time crunch. Nothing about this movie seems thoughtless or rushed. The characters are not one-sided heroes and villains but are characters with depth that adds to their choices. Paul Atreides is not a typical hero, let alone a hero at all. Similar to the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Paul has a huge destiny that affects his actions. This movie shows how other supporting characters react to his reluctantly accepted role as a Messianic ruler in various ways that are moving.
Dune: Part Two can make people care, and that is what filmmaking should be about. If you haven’t already, go out and see the new Dune movie with your friends and family.