“Dune: Part Two” movie review

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, “Dune: Part Two” released in theaters everywhere on March 1 to a very warm welcome from fans who have waited since the 2021 launch of the first “Dune” for this continuation of the story.

The cinematography and score are a dead giveaway that this is a Villeneuve film. You can feel the similarities in cinematography to “Blade Runner 2049,” another one of Villeneuve’s better known projects. As always, Villeneuve directs in such a way that every camera angle, each introduction of a new song and the lighting that is captured are all expressions of emotion. All of these things culminate into a cinematic experience that is both immersive and compelling.

Another quality of Villeneuve's works are the grand open rooms, made to feel overwhelmingly large with lighting trickery. Each scene can also represent darker and deeper conversations through low lighting, and open or hopeful conversations with brighter lighting. This tactic is on full display when Villeneuve chooses to film certain sections in monochrome so that he can fully showcase brutality and hostility. Another good example of this method is shown by the fact that every scene that takes place outside in both films are actually shot outside, making the set both realistic and believable.

Once again, Villeneuve proves that mixing practical effects with computer generated images can be the key to creating a cinematic masterpiece. With some films, you may be able to easily tell which scenes are created from computer generated images or practical effects, however, with both of the “Dune” films you can hardly ever tell which is which. This is integral in immersion because it allows the viewer to believe that what they are seeing is actually happening. There are a few scenes in “Dune: Part Two” where it is easier to see that something is created with CGI — although, unless you are specifically looking for these flaws, you will not find them.

The “Dune” series is the story of a man, Paul Atreides, who is right at the epicenter of political rivalries, emotional trauma, a war on the horizon and becoming a religious messiah. With the story centering around such heavy topics, each interaction we see Paul have is impactful and meaningful.

While we see returning cast members Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya and the rest of the characters who survived the incidents at the end of the first film, we also see the introduction of new actors and actresses like Christopher Walken as the Emperor, and his daughter played by Florence Pugh. Austin Butler also makes an appearance as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew of Baron Harkonnen, and one of the many opposing forces against Chalamet’s character Paul Atreides.

The world of “Dune: Part Two,” like its predecessor, is split into factions — the Fremen, each of the “Great Houses” that make up the empire and House Harkonnen specifically, with many people playing several different sides or no sides at all.

Picking up right where the previous film left off, this long anticipated sequel resumes Paul’s journey into the desert to meet the Fremen leaders. The Fremen are being hunted by Harkonnen forces who are making efforts to mine the planet Arrakis of all of its Melange — colloquially referred to as “spice” — a fictional drug that is the cause of all efforts to colonize Arrakis.

Once Paul makes it to the Fremen village, they are unsure what to do with him and his mother, considering the fact they are outsiders. Even though most believe Paul to be “the one” or “Mahdi.” Throughout the film we see Paul participate in rites of passage to become a Fremen in hopes of freeing Arrakis from all of its colonizers.

Stilgar, leader of the Fremen clan that Paul is inducted into, is a funny character, portrayed by Javier Bardem. While there is mild humor throughout the film, this is not a comedy, nor does it attempt to carry itself as one. This film has more humor than the first, yet it never feels forced. It is simply naturally funny with some of the interactions between characters, committing itself fully to being believable and relatable.

These films do not do anything groundbreaking that makes it stand out as an incredible story: “the chosen one goes out to fight a war against the rest of the empire.” You have seen this story before, you will see the same story again — however, what makes both “Dune” movies as great as they are, is the mind of Villeneuve. Without him, these films never would have gained the traction and high regard that they have earned. This film shows us that Villeneuve and his team are pursuing their opportunity to turn the entire "Dune” franchise into a full film series, and they are doing so with quite some success.

If ever there was a film deserving of being seen in theaters, this would surely be among them. Between the atmosphere that a movie theater brings, the incredible sound design and the phenomenal cinematography, this is a film worth seeing on the big screen.

When all is said and done, “Dune: Part Two,” is exactly what a sequel needs to be. It continues the story from the original flawlessly, while seamlessly introducing new conflicts, characters and factions.

Villeneuve and his entire crew have created yet another cinematic masterpiece, one that is deserving of every bit of the praise that it has garnered for itself. The next film in the series will most likely be highly anticipated.