By Marc Peoples
You know that amazing feeling after experiencing a cinematic achievement and you say to yourself “It feels great being back at the movies”.
Dune: Part Two brings that feeling to the forefront. The first good movie of the year might be the best. It will be tough to top this one and it will get nominations for next year’s Oscars. Denis Villeneuve has again proven why he’s one of the best filmmakers alive through his visual storytelling.
Dune: Part Two is a sequel to 2021’s Dune. The story is a continuation of Paul Atreides’s journey as he unites with the Fremen people on the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against the conspirators who destroyed his family. It is an adaptation of the second half of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune which is considered to be one the most influential novels ever written. This isn’t the first time the book was adapted into a film. Some may remember the highly controversial 1984 film, of the same name by David Lynch. Though people still have mixed feelings about that one, today it’s a cult classic.
In the year 2000, the book was also adapted into a miniseries on television, unfortunately not many people remember it.
One of the first things that will draw you to Denis Villeneuve’s version is the visuals. It’s recommended that you see the movie in IMAX (since it was shot in IMAX). Thanks to cinematographer, Greig Fraser, the film has some of the most beautiful shots you will ever see. The color palette silhouettes against the sunlight, the size of giant sandworms and spaceships, and the scope of the film are great examples. This world feels alive and you’re living in it. Fraser already won an Oscar for best cinematography for Part One, if he wins again for Part Two, I don’t think anyone would have a problem with that.
Hans Zimmer returns as composer for this film. It should be no surprise that he delivers. He has written some of the best scores in the recent history of film. Now Dune: Part Two is added to the list. You can just lay back and listen to the soundtrack and you’ll be transported into another world. My personal favorites are tracks “A Time of Quiet Between the Storms” which is the love theme of the two main characters Paul and Chani and “Only I Will Remain,” a victorious theme of Paul’s ascendancy.
Now the Performances. Most of the actors from the previous film return including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin. All the returning actors play their parts well. Chalamet as Paul has more emotion due to the character’s arc from exiled Duke to prophesied Messiah. Zendaya’s Chani is great and has a much larger role in this movie. To those who read the books, she is not exactly the same Chani. There’s more tension between her and Paul. Javier Bardem is a standout as Stilgar who’s a mentor and worshipper of Paul.
The film also introduces a new cast of characters: Christopher Walken as the Emperor, Florence Pugh as his daughter Princess Irulan, and Léa Seydoux as Margot Fenring. They’re all supporting characters and are not in the film that much, but they all do well with what they have. Austin Butler plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, a new antagonist. Butler does a great job portraying the character as psychotic but with the most personality among the villains. Think of him as the “Anti-Paul Atreides,” this character was played by Sting in the 1984 version.
As someone who only read the first book, Dune: Part Two is another masterpiece. Despite the changes and the acting not being memorable, this film can stand on its own. In my opinion, it’s this year’s Oppenheimer, if not it’s pretty close to it. The film also sets up a part three which will be an adaptation of the second novel, Dune Messiah and I plan on reading it soon.
So, if you have not already seen it, visit AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 at 2309 Frederick Douglass Blvd. I also want to recommend the Dune book series and The Art and Soul of Dune Parts One and Two by Villeneuve’s wife and producer of the films, Tanya Lapointe, two hardcover books that capture the behind-the-scenes journey of making both films.
If you saw the film, what did you think of it?
Marc Peoples
Marc Peoples is a writer, film, and game enthusiast with a full range of electronic or digital games experience, who lives on the West Coast in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated with honors from the Los Angeles Film School (LAFS), where he studied film and screenwriting. www.linkedin.com, www.instagram.com
Photo credit: 1-4) Source. 4) Youtube.com.
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