Dune: Part Two
Visually thrilling and narratively epic, Dune: Part Two continues Denis Villeneuve’s engrossing adaptation of Frank Herbert’s celebrated, highly respected, sci-fi novel in spectacular form.
The loose-ended nature of Dune is one of its most appealing aspects; it’s important to let it unfold in front of your eyes, rather than question what happens next.
The massive adaptation, written by Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts (Prometheus) and directed by Villeneuve, widens the amazing, extraordinary world, which is altogether shimmering, splendorous and strange.
The second section of the plot follows Paul Atreides as he prepares to wage war against House Harkonnen by joining forces with the Fremen people who live on the desert planet Arrakis.
At the onset of the film, Princess Irulan Corrino writes in her private journal that Paul Atreides may be still alive, while her father, Emperor Shaddam IV, is feeling disheartened as a result of his efforts to bring about the downfall of the Atreides family. Stilgar’s Fremen warriors, who include Paul and Lady Jessica, can overcome an ambush set up by the Harkonnen when they are travelling to Sietch Tabr on Arrakis. However, the sight of Fremen syphoning water from the bodies of the Harkonnen makes Jessica sick to her stomach. While at the Sietch, there is a growing suspicion that Jessica and Paul are working as spies.
Following the prophecy that a mother and son will bring prosperity to Arrakis, there are some Fremen who have confidence in said individuals.
In the same way, as the first film lays the groundwork for mythology, the second saga adheres closely to Herbert’s narrative, focusing on the creation of a Messiah, which is both bravely bizarre and highly introspective amid the external struggle for power over spice.
The story is a duel, a duet, an inner conflict between the infinitesimal and the cosmic, the esoteric and the existential, between destiny and free will, Villeneuvian in its monumental seriousness, at times even solemn, but capable of constantly giving the audience food for thought.
Nobody could do it better than Villeneuve. The second instalment of Dune depicts a battle for liberation in a world that is outlandish, inexplicable and far away. The Godfather-in-space, it portrays the same old story of avarice, power, and corruption, with the same impenetrable depth and technique as it has been done before – with abounding beauty and horror. Dune: Part Two, achieves in this way, the very rare case of a second film being even more solid than the first.
Visually arresting and deftly detailed are the stark monochrome worlds of the Harkonnen which contrast gracefully with that of the brown tones of the desert planet, all blended and emoted by a grinding, haunting, musical score by Hans Zimmer – arguably his finest since Gladiator.
With the release of Dune: Part Two, as the thinking-man’s-filmmaker, Villeneuve demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that he is undeniably Ridley Scott’s prodigy in the field of science-fiction filmmaking.
Dune: Part Two releases in cinemas on Friday, 1 March 2024.
-Dirk Lombard Fourie