Everything we loved about 'Dune: Part Two'

People should simply stop complaining about them not getting to enjoy a big-screen movie experience if they choose not to go to the theatre to watch Dune: Part Two. The stunning cinematography combined with music maestro, Hans Zimmer's phenomenal soundtrack and Timothée Chalamet's outstanding performance—one of his career’s best if you ask us (the role was tailor-made for him)—crafted a masterpiece where style meets substance. This is exactly the type of movie you expect to watch from a big-budgeted sci-fi film. There’s absolutely nothing in this film that’ll leave you disappointed (except maybe the fact that it ends). With this film being a stark reminder of what it's like to enjoy cinema on the big screen, here's what stood out for us in Dune: Part Two.

You understand why the movie had two parts (with a third to follow)

Adapting the 1665 novel Dune by Frank Herbert, a book so intriguing that it's almost impossible to put it down until you've finished it, was never going to be an easy task for director Denis Villeneuve. If you're one of the many who read the book, you'll know just how much content there was to include in the first part of the movie. 

Dune: Part Two revolves around the House Atreides who get summoned by the emperor of the universe to oversee the inhospitable planet Arrakis—the sole source of spice, an element that makes space travel easier. The family is headed by Duke Leto, his wife Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and son Paul (Timothée Chalamet). Paul and his mother unite with the Fremen, the humans who've made the planet their home, to embark on a path of revenge against the evil house Harkonnens who destroyed his family. Will Paul fulfil his destiny by leading the Fremen to overthrow the Emperor and the Harkonnens, bringing peace to Arrakis? The movie does answer this question, but we're not going to spoil it for you. The 165-minute saga is best enjoyed without spoilers!

Adapting a book into cinema seamlessly

Ten minutes into Dune: Part Two and you’re grateful for the first part because you're able to comprehend the characters and their motives with ease. The first film really raised the bar (and hype), for Part Two was expected to match those expectations, if not exceed them. But a director like Villeneuve was always going to find a way to do better. He creates an authentic world where people have their own distinct, yet identifiable cultures. Throughout the film, you see the characters realising the gravity of the situation on their faces and through their performances. 

The visuals are the dialogues

Director Denis Villeneuve isn’t a fan of dialogue and if you’re expecting some hard-hitting lines in Dune: Part Two, you’ve certainly come to the wrong place. “Frankly, I hate dialogue. Dialogue is for theatre and television. I don’t remember movies because of a good line, I remember movies because of a strong image. I’m not interested in dialogue at all. Pure image and sound, that is the power of cinema, but it is something not obvious when you watch movies today,” the director said in a recent interview. Villeneuve wants the audience to remember movies because of a strong image, and this film has plenty of it. That and Greg Fraser's incredible cinematography—he has an unbelievable eye for detail when it comes to large-scale compositions and it is something to marvel at! While the close-up shots show the emotions and turmoil faced on the planet, it’s the wide shots that blew our minds. You will feel like you’re staring into vast emptiness only to realise the beauty as you see the tiny (the people, their homes, armies charging into each other) as well as the expansive dunes of the planet Arrakis that take your breath away.

A role made for Timothée Chalamet

The treatment and staging of every single scene in Dune seem larger than life. And no one enjoys this more than Chalamet, whose portrayal of Paul is particularly captivating. He commands a presence that transcends his individuality. His journey to self-discovery is evident as he embarks on a war path of revenge against those who killed his family, torn between the love of his life and having the reigns to change the fate of the universe. Chalamet's emotional depth shines as he effortlessly transitions from anguish to anger, showcasing his remarkable versatility as an actor, evident even after his recent role as Willy Wonka.

The chemistry is believable

Romance is the one thing that viewers didn’t see in the first part, but there's a lot of it in Dune: Part Two. The chemistry between Chalamet and Zendeya is one of the strongest pillars of the film. The writing ensure that their scenes feel authentic rather than cheesy or contrived, uncovering a beautiful relationship that is not without its complications. Chani may be in love with Paul, but she knows that they won’t be together if he becomes the leader. And that’s what happens as she strikes out alone at the end of the movie as she realises he is no longer the man she fell in love with. There is tragedy interwoven in the sweetness; all good stories have it (Spider-Man and Mary Jane, Han Solo and Princess Leia from Star Wars). With the duo parting ways, for their own good, the viewer forgets the high-octane action that took place a few minutes earlier to remember this emotional ending that sets the tone for the start for the third film.   

What to expect in part three?

The first movie took us into the world of Dune, giving us much more than just a glimpse of the novel, while the second part gave viewers a much more entertaining film. Things won’t end here (how can they), not with the next book, Dune Messiah, being all about the aftermath of Paul's holy war, his having to live with the consequences of the path he chose for the galaxy, and the Fremen having to assess what they really got in exchange for anointing him. 

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