Rating: 5/5
Jacqueline Toledo Soto ’24
Staff Writer
toledosotoj@lakeforest.edu
Dune: Part Two premiered on March 1, making it one of the most-anticipated movies of the year. Dune: Part One came out in 2021 and impressed audiences with its unique soundtrack, storyline, and cinematography. The second part was anticipated by fans seeking to immerse themselves in the world of Arrakis again and Dune: Part Two did just that! It reminded movie-goers why this film was worth the wait. From the hot, sandy world of Arrakis to the cold, rigid world of Giedi Prima – as a viewer, you feel part of the various diverse worlds. The storyline in Dune was strong; it did not spend time on unnecessary details or drag out certain scenes or subplots. The character development was the best part of the film. For example, Paul Atreides is dealing with the death of his father and the fall of his house. He is taken in by the Fremen, the desert people, and must fight for his spot among them. He rejects the path that has been chosen for him until he fully embraces his calling as the Lisan al-Gaib, the messiah of the Fremen. The film does an excellent job showing the transformation of a confused, angry, young Paul to a cunning, ambitious, vengeful Paul. The film also does the same for Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica. She goes from being a betrayed, powerless, concubine to a strong, deceptive, reverend Mother. The transformation of all characters in the second film was immaculate.
The cinematography was also perfect, from the lighting, to camera angles, to the location, everything blended seamlessly. As I watched the film, I completely felt part of the world. The background was done so well that it seemed that these planets were real and habitable. Any director can make a multi galactic movie, but not everyone can make it realistic or make the viewer feel part of the world! The unique and vibrant soundtrack from the first film carried over to the second film. The music was the creation of the musical mastermind Hans Zimmer. Zimmer has created music for The Lion King, Interstellar, Gladiator, etc. The music in this film added dimension and mystique. The music also created a clear distinction for each planet.
Most actors from the first film returned for the second film. Timothée Chalamet returned as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, the love interest of Paul, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Stellan Skarsgård as Vladimir Harkonnen, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, and Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. The casting was perfect because each actor embodied their character and delivered an incredible performance. To me, Austin Butler was a stand-out because he completely took his character to a different level. He did not have as much screen time compared to other characters, but his scenes were memorable.
The film was directed by Denis Villeneuve, a French-Canadian director who has directed Blade Runner, 2049, Arrival, and Sicario. Villeneuve, in my opinion, created one of the best science fiction movies of the decade. As someone who loves Star Wars, the Disney-created Star Wars trilogy is a joke compared to Dune: Part Two. He not only read the book but was able to capture the essence of it. Dune by Frank Herbert is one of the most beloved science fiction books. There were a lot of expectations and pressure for Villeneuve to create and portray the magic of Dune on the big screen, and he achieved it. The film makes you a part of the world and makes you wish you were there on Arrakis with Paul Atreides.
