After numerous delays, including an industry-wide strike, Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune Part 2 is finally coming to theatres. Picking up where 2021’s Dune left off, the sequel completes the first book in Frank Herbert’s seminal series while setting the stage for a much grander vision for the future of Arrakis. Fans of Herbert’s work will be thrilled to see pivotal moments from the book brought to life, while those new to the saga will be swept up in the rich world-building and complex character arcs. Simply put, Dune Part 2 is a masterful culmination of Villeneuve’s vision, delivering spectacle and substance in equal measure.
I’ll admit, when I first heard Villeneuve was tackling Dune, I was skeptical it would be possible to translate Herbert’s dense work to the big screen in a way that did it or the audience justice. But once I sat down and watched the first film at TIFF 2021, my worries were put at ease, masterfully handling the setup and world introductions necessary for Part 2 to deliver on the beats that mattered most to the story.
Now given free rein to depict the book’s most iconic scenes, Villeneuve and his team have created a film that honours its source material while standing as an achievement in blockbuster filmmaking. Simply put, this is one of the most stunning science fiction movies ever attempted, and the scope and scale on screen are simply awe-inspiring.
“While Dune Part 2 is one of the most visually stunning and meditative films I have seen in a decade, it also manages to deliver action on an epic scale.”
At the heart of Dune’s success is the central performance by Timothée Chalamet, as in Paul Atreides. I had my doubts he would be able to take on this complex character, but his transition from uncertain youth to fierce Fremen leader is portrayed with nuance and impact beyond Chalamet’s years. Zendaya also makes the most of her expanded role as Chani, Paul’s love interest and a warrior in her own right. Their chemistry feels natural on the screen, whether in action-packed battles or quiet moments together.
While Dune Part 2 is one of the most visually stunning and meditative films I have seen in a decade, it also manages to deliver action on an epic scale. The fights are visceral set pieces, with Villeneuve’s shot composition and sound all working to ensure that each moment lands with maximum impact. He also stages the final duel with realism and brutality, making it land with the necessary impact. As much as I love and grew up with the weird moments from David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation, seeing two fighters with only blades and their wits makes for a far more compelling clash that will be hard to forget.
Beyond the spectacle and epic battles, what has always set Dune apart is its political intrigue, which Villeneuve captures in full force, especially with this installment. The machinations of the different factions are presented clearly without excessive exposition, thanks in large part to the performances. In addition to Chalamet, the supporting cast, including Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Stellan Skarsgård, ground the space politics in credible human drama. Newcomer Christopher Walken also leaves an indelible mark as the Emperor, a perfect encapsulation of cold, ruthless authority, with a dash of aloof disengagement that feels perfect for the character.
I know there are fans who may feel Zandaya doesn’t get enough screen time, which was limited due to how her character evolves in the first book, but the time she has cement her as the fiery emotional core of the film. Ferguson’s Lady Jessica and her complex relationship with Paul also provide one of the film’s most resonant through-lines and set the stage for the many levels of morally grey actions our lead must grapple with to move forward. And Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck has a standout action sequence that satisfies both on a visceral and emotional level.
Of course, adapting the story of Dune to the big screen may be an achievement in itself, but it would be doing this film an injustice not to discuss the visuals that brought Arrakis to life in a way never before seen. If you thought the first film perfectly captured the stark beauty of the desert planet, prepare to be awestruck by what Villeneuve conjures up in the sequel.
The sandstorm sequence and the more detailed look at the sandworms alone are worth the price of admission, an utterly transportive triumph of VFX and sound design. Greig Fraser’s cinematography, combined with Patrice Vermette’s production design, makes Arrakis feel like an actual, lived-in world that you can’t help but wish to visit. I also want to call out the changes in visual style when showing segments on other planets. This is used incredibly well for a segment on the Harkonnen homeworld, with a monochrome filter working to give the impression of life on a planet with a black sun. Though minor in the grand scheme of the film, it worked as a masterstroke that elevated an already engaging segment.
“Now that Dune Part 2 is here, and the full story is on display, I can easily say that this will stand the test of time as one of the greatest sci-fi epics ever made.”
Of course, despite all my praise, no film is perfect, and there are moments when the sequel’s expanded scope works against it. Dune is an epic story that is filled with countless people who all play a role in the grander picture, and the introductions of so many new characters and factions can be overwhelming at first. And as masterful as the world-building is, I wish we had spent more time with the Fremen supporting players or had time to learn a bit more about the emperor and his many plans. But these are minor quibbles for a film that otherwise delivers on all the promise of the first installment.
I loved Villeneuve’s Dune when I saw it in 2021, but for all its grandeur, it felt like an extended prologue to bigger things to come. Now that Dune Part 2 is here, and the full story is on display, I can easily say that this will stand the test of time as one of the greatest sci-fi epics ever made. The filmmaker has succeeded in creating a hugely entertaining blockbuster that respects the intelligence of its audience while staying true in spirit to the source material.
I was on the edge of my seat for almost every minute of its brisk 155-minute running time. Let’s hope this isn’t the last we see of Villeneuve’s Dune saga. Based on these first two extraordinary films, he’s created a world that I can’t wait to spend more time in, and I can only imagine what could be done in the world of Dune next.
