After three years of waiting, “Dune: Part 2” is finally on the starting blocks. It's not just for sci-fi fans that it's time to saddle up the sandworm and rush to the cinema as soon as possible.
On February 29, the sequel to “The Dune” will finally begin in this country, in which the second half of Frank Herbert's (1920-1986) debut novel “Desert Planet” (1965) will be told. It wasn't a given at first: When Dune hit theaters around the world in 2021, the future of the potential sci-fi franchise hung in the balance. Only when it became clear that Denis Villeneuve's (56) complicated film would publish solid numbers despite the end of the corona pandemic, the second part was given the green light.
Fortunately, cinema would otherwise have been denied a film that would show us its inherent reason in an age of endless streaming options. “Dune: Part 2” is an optical opulence that benefits enormously from the hard work of its predecessor — and knows how to deftly navigate some narrative minefields.
“Who controls the spice controls the universe”: that's what Dune 2 is all about
“Dune: Part 2” begins immediately after the events of its predecessor: soon after arriving on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis, the young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet, 28) witnesses an intrigue of galactic proportions: the entire Atreides house is moved, the emperor (Christopher Walken, 80) was killed and a barbarian In the Harkonnen Conspiracy. Only Paul and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson, 40) seem to have escaped the carnage that began as a battle over the powerful and lucrative drug Spice.
Their situation is hardly better: in the middle of the deadly desert, they are taken in by a group of local Fremen. However, most of the natives are highly skeptical of the supposed invaders and would rather throw them at the giant sandworms. They find an ally in, of all people, Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem, 54), who sees Paul as the personification of the Mahdi—a messianic savior. Paul himself, however, is driven by only one thing at first: he wants to take revenge on Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård, 72) and his followers. His Luck: Even on Arrak, nothing brings people together like a common enemy…
“Dune 2” is the best sci-fi movie of the 21st century
When the closing credits of “Dune” rolled on the screen about three years ago, it caused more than just a storm of joy. After all, the beginning of the sci-fi series, now planned as a trilogy, actually ended quite anticlimactically, and just as the story was picking up steam. The sequel benefits even more from the hard work of the opening film: “Dune” took care to give viewers the incredibly complex sci-fi world that author Frank Herbert invented some 60 years ago. “Dune: Part 2” now reaps the benefits and retroactively removes some of the criticism raised about the first part.
It's certainly not a given. The second part of the movie trilogy finally has the thankless task of connecting the beginning with the grand finale. When it fails, the average film feels like a mere means to an end, needlessly dragging out the end. However, when it succeeds, the golden mean often matures into the best part of the entire trilogy. So was The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers, as was the case with the original Star Wars trilogy, and it now takes place on a desert planet. “Dune: Part 2” is already receiving huge acclaim, becoming the “Empire Strikes Back” of the new millennium.
Things aren't going to get any better at the movies this year
This is not only because after the detailed description of the first part, it goes quickly from the first to the last in about 170 minutes. “Dune: Part 2” also allows itself quiet moments, thanks to which the noise of the battle really comes into its own. Villeneuve and his team also manage to surpass the visual opulence of their predecessor. Dune: Part 2 can be paused at any second – a still image would make a great poster. There won't be a more beautiful film that skillfully creates immersion with visually stunning visuals this year, and probably for many years to come.
After tackling real-life themes like “Prisoners” and “Sicario,” Villeneuve is increasingly making a name for himself as a talented sci-fi director. This was shown in his 2016 film Arrival, and the following year he pulled off a feat that was not thought possible with Blade Runner 2049, a worthy successor to Ridley Scott's (86) masterpiece from 1982. Dune: Part 2 is very similar, although with exactly the opposite sign.
A ride on a sandworm – and a razor
It is a question and a search for purpose. Herbert's novel, and with it Villeneuve's film, deal with a form of mythic hero's journey that was not new in 1965—just think of the Arthurian legend. In general terms, “Dune” presents the middle age of the future: instead of mountains and oceans, light years separate the empty space of imperialism supported by superstition.
That a member of the ruling class becomes the savior of the oppressed masses in the person of Paul Atreides is a problematic narrative. But “Dune” cleverly manages to show how the myth of the savior, cultivated over centuries, ensured the subjugation of the desert planet's population. It may be true, “He who controls the spice controls the universe”. But “Dune: Part 2” hints at how behind-the-scenes religious manipulation determines who is ultimately responsible.
The character of Ryan Gosling (43) in the movie “Blade Runner 2049” was literally implanted with the idea that he is the savior. In “Düne”, the main character doubts his supposed fate the most and initially actively protects himself against it. However, it has long acquired features that make it a self-fulfilling prophecy: a prophet who does not see himself as a prophet? According to Fremen leader Stilgar, only a true prophet can possess such humility.
Really Disgusting : Sting in the Space with a bald Elvis instead of a Speedo
Lead actor Timothée Chalamet skillfully combines a mixture of desire for revenge, unwanted hero worship, mourning for fallen friends and love for new allies. Like Rebecca Ferguson, her acting suggests that noble intentions can turn into opportunistic manipulation. In short: Paul Atreides is given a complex side in “Dune: Part 2”.
The exact opposite story is with the new supervillain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. In the 1984 film adaptation by David Lynch, 78, Sting, 72, took on the role — and his iconic space speed. In the new edition, “Elvis” actor Austin Butler (32) is allowed to show his worst side – he does it with a thief's glee and better dressed than Sting, but completely shaved.
If there's anything to criticize about Dune: Part 2, it's the character art of the villains. Their devilishness sometimes acquires almost satirical features. Every aspect of Harkonnen culture is thoroughly reprehensible. Apparently, even the color pigments don't dare go outside on their home planet. This may be consistent with the original book, but from today's perspective, it seems unusually striking.
Especially since Villeneuve offers the same unnecessary attack surface as in the movie “Blade Runner 2049”: Here, too, he exaggerated the cunning of his villain, played by Jared Leto (52). However, for both works, this error cannot change the basic quality. “Dune: Part 2” isn't just for the cinema, either. This is a movie theater.
Anyone who misses “The Dune: Part 2” is missing out on probably the most beautiful film of the year. It offers visual splendor that completely captivates and makes the nearly three-hour running time go by faster than you can shout “Sandworm!”
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