Review - Dune: Part Two (2024)

        Alright guys, here we go. My review of Dune: Part Two, the continuation of the 2021 film Dune. This movie is, once again, directed by Denis Villeneuve, and sees several returning actors from the previous movie, such as Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem, with new cast members including Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Souheila Yacoub, Lea Seydoux, and Christopher Walken. 

        Now, some of you may be asking about the likes of Oscar Isaac and Jason Momoa, who were very prominent in the first Dune. Well, here's a quick recap of the first movie for those who might need a refresher: on the planet Caladan, Duke Leto Atreides and the members of his house are greeted by a representative of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, who brings an Imperial decree that House Atreides will officially take over Spice mining operations on my planet Arrakis, which was once overseen by House Atreides' rivals, House Harkonnen. Unfortunately, the Emperor has formed a secret pact with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, and the two launch a sneak attack, which leads to the deaths of several Atreides warriors, including the Duke himself, as well as Duncan Idaho. Leto's concubine, Lady Jessica, and their son, Paul, traverse the harsh desert of Arrakis, where they eventually join a group of Fremen warriors led by Stilgar. Okay, so now that I've recapped the first Dune, let's dive into Dune: Part Two. 

       So, Dune: Part Two focuses on Paul Atreides, who is training in the ways of the Fremen, and is growing closer to Chani, the Fremen girl he dreamt about throughout the first movie. As Paul's skills grow, he works with the Fremen, including Chani and Stilgar, to strike back at the Harkonnens. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, meanwhile, has grown fed up with the repeated failures of his nephew Glossu Rabban in stopping the Fremen attacks, which have already reached the ears of Emperor Shaddam IV and his daughter Princess Irulan, and thus the Baron has sent for his most cunning warrior: Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, nephew of the Baron and younger brother of Rabban. 

        Now, something important is that Dune: Part Two picks up the story right where the first Dune left off. In other words, there's no time skip from where the first movie ended and this movie begins. However, we do get a brief recap as told by Princess Irulan, which is certainly a nice touch. And, something else of note is that much like the first Dune, Dune: Part Two is very long, just over two-and-a-half hours in length. However, the movie fills up that run time is used very well, and filled with tons of rich detail from the source material. 

        The visual aesthetics of the movie, once again, truly stand out. I have seen a number of movies the last handful of years with excessively large budgets, and it doesn't feel like the money was well spent on the visual storytelling. With this movie, much like the original Dune, director Denis Villeneuve really let's the visual effects make the story as massive in scale as it is. And, what I like is that each planet we see really stands out. Obviously, Arrakis is a vast desert, and is contrasted by the Eden-like nature of the planet Kaitain. And, both Arrakis and Kaitain are completely contrasted from the Harkonnen home world of Giedi Prime, which is said to be an industrial world, which is portrayed on screen as having an extremely monochromatic atmosphere due to the planet having a black sun. 

        The performances, once again, are truly second to none. Whether front and center for the majority of the movie, or having a more supporting role, every actor gives it their all in this movie. First and foremost is Timothee Chalamet, who I praised in both the first Dune as well as Wonka, who is an absolute superstar in the making with a phenomenal return performance as Paul Atreides. Both Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya also were terrific as Lady Jessica and Chani, while Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem gave my favorite performances of their respective careers as Gurney Hallick and Stilgar. And, while Brolin may have been overshadowed in the first movie by Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Brolin's Gurney Hallick definitely gets to shine in this movie, and is an absolute badass. 

         Both Stellan Skarsgard and Dave Bautista return as the villainous Baron Harkonnen and Glossu Rabban, and they are both really good. However, the one Harkonnen that stands above them is Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha. Unlike Rabban, who is a brutish thug driven by rage, Feyd is much more reserved. Cold, calculating, and methodical, but still an unhinged psychopath, and Austin Butler absolutely owns the screen with his performance as Feyd in this movie. Charlotte Rampling also returns as Reverend Mother Gaius Mohaim, and she does a good job, as does newcomer Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring, who is also a Bene Gesserit. However, I wanted to really highlight both Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan and Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV. Both Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken, despite having limited screen time, definitely deliver great performances that make their overall presence in the film still be felt. 

        The music score is, by far, one of composer Hans Zimmer's best. There are definitely recurring leitmotifs from the first movie that reoccur throughout this movie, but the new pieces of music are absolutely terrific as well. And, something I appreciate is how Villeneuve only has music in moments where it's needed, allowing the visual storytelling to do the work in a scene where music isn't needed. For instance, the climactic duel between Paul and Feyd has no music, and the fight choreography is allowed to stand out without musical accompaniment. 

         Among the key themes of the movie are the the themes of religion, prophecy, and the power of belief. For instance, the Bene Gesserit instilled a prophecy about a messiah who would lead them to paradise, and he would do many incredible things. The many feats that Paul accomplishes throughout the movie, including riding one of the giant sandworms, shows that he truly is the chosen one. However, unlike other "chosen one" stories where it comes off as preachy or forced, in this movie it feels naturalistic and flows well with the overall narrative. This, in my opinion, is a part of what makes this movie work as well as it does, and major props to Denis Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts for the work they did on the screenplay. 

         Overall, this movie is easily going to be one of the best of the year, of not THE best movie of the year. Director Denis Villeneuve showcases, once again, that he truly is a master artist of cinema, right there with the likes of Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Nolan, and James Cameron. I'm giving Dune: Part Two a rating of 5/5. Honestly, I can't recommend this movie enough, it's just that great. 

        Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys next time.