REVIEW: Dune: Part Two

As the cineplexes continue to be increasingly dominated by sequels and other questionable cash grabs, there is ongoing debate surrounding what to expect from blockbusters. Do they need to look good? Do the scripts need to be deep or "woke"? For Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the answer is a resounding yes, exemplified in his latest blockbuster spectacle "Dune: Part Two". Picking up right where he left off in "Dune", this is a sequel whose artistry and themes are as impressive as its escapist thrills.

"Dune: Part Two" takes place in the aftermath of the extermination of House Atreides by the House Harkonnen. As the two remaining survivors of the Atreides Royal Family, Paul (Timothee Chalamet) and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) have escaped to the desert of Arakis, pledging allegiance to the Fremen. As they learn their ways, Paul becomes venerated as the prophesied messiah who will restore control of Arrakis to the Fremen. Meanwhile, Jessica is installed as the clairvoyant Reverend Mother. Elsewhere, the Harkonnen are building their defenses to maintain their control of the coveted resource called spice, under the leadership of Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), the merciless nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). As the Fremen resistance gains steam, the houses will inevitably collide, setting in motion a holy war that will shape the future of the world.

And the crafting of that world is one of the film's greatest attributes, projecting epic scale that demands the biggest screen possible. From the deep oranges of the sky and sand, to the impressive crowd shots, to the astonishing visual effects, it offers genuine visual spectacle. Indeed, the heartpounding battle sequences and the wormriding are some of the year's most unforgettable scenes. 

What makes the film so special, however, is how the visual spectacle is all in service of a brilliant script. As the various characters scheme to assert their power, the narrative emerges a profound commentary on religion, poking fun at how gullible people are (Javier Bardem's awestruck Stilgar is a scene-stealer) in times of need and how religion is therefore used to manipulative ends. Indeed, the belief in Paul as the Lisan al Gaib is just as powerful as the Jessica's Bene Gesserit mind control. 

That seamless balance between allegorical relevance and imaginative worldbuilding makes "Dune: Part Two" timely and timeless. And when you throw in a slew of committed and intense performances, you've got a film that works on all levels. It's blockbuster filmmaking done right. 

Tweet