Here is a sequel that is way more powerful than the original.
Film: Dune: Part Two
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling & Javier Bardem
Johnson Thomas
‘Dune: Part 2’, the second part of the filmed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal 1965 novel, is creative, stunning in its expanse, tragic and ensnaring. The battle between the Fremen and the Harkonnens for the control of Arrakis serves as the backdrop, while Paul Atreides grows from being a nervous young man to a leader who gains acceptance with every step of progress he makes towards the all-consuming revenge he hopes to wreak.
A Fremen tribal leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem) is convinced that Paul is the chosen one. The mythology points out to his assuming the saviour role but Paul, not ready yet, tries to blend into the Fremen, forming a relationship with a young warrior named Chani (Zendaya). As the narrative progresses, Paul passes the tests put in front of him by the Fremen, takes on the tribal name of Muad’Dib, and vows vengeance against the Harkonnens, who were responsible for atrocities against the tribe and are also the ones behind his father’s death.
The story is a little more complex than that though. On another planet, Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), who was responsible for the original order to decimate Arrakis, counsels with his daughter Irulan (Florence Pugh) and Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother (Charlotte Rampling) on the state of Arrakis. That element adds depth for Paul’s vengeance spiel. Irulan is the one facilitating the revelations designed to keep us invested in the plot.
Writers Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts mix up the interstellar political machinations with hefty doses of religious fanaticism. We even see Lady Jessica (Rebecca Fergusson) getting anointed as the religious mother figure for the Fremen. We are not privy to a time-jump either. We see the Harkonnens trying to maintain some form of authority on Arrakis, while Rabban (Dave Batuista) uses the might of his army to control and sustain spice production.
Villeneuve makes the scale look phenomenal. The narrative is seeped in deep, far-flung deserts looking like seas of sand, unexpectedly crawling with towering machinery, incredibly designed warships, floating enemies and giant worms. ‘Dune’, though beautiful and engaging in its own right, was definitely not as appealing as this one. This movie improves on all aspects of the first, creating a sequel that is way more powerful than the original.
This story, characters and setting, when seen in IMAX, breathe life into impassioned imagination. The soundscapes created to accompany this odyssey in its audio-visual journey are unimpeachable. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack gets you so involved that you stay immersed in the experience long after the runtime has ended.
‘Ripples in the Sand’ and ‘Paul’s Dream’ continue to linger in your mind. The visuals are stunning, the on-location work blends in beautifully and the camera work combines well with jaw-dropping special effects to give you an experience that is extra special.
The plotting is undeniably richer but what stands out is the sheer brilliance of the craft. Cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won an Oscar for the first film, goes one notch higher, corralling sunlight and colour in such a way as to lend distinctiveness and immensity to the characters. The visuals here are the kind we’ve rarely seen before.
This film covers all the main plot points of the book, albeit more creatively and succinctly, with stellar performances from each and every member of the perfectly cast ensemble of actors. Villeneuve’s helming deserves all the praise it can get. This sequel is one of the most inveigling, delectably enticing films ever experienced. Deep and fascinating with adrenaline fixes at every turn, it keeps you engrossed right through its exacting runtime.
