In 1965, Frank Herbert published what would become one of the highest selling science-fiction novels of all time, Dune, a densely written tale about the royal house Atreides defending their long-held control over a resource-rich planet, and the prodigal son Paul who would go on to lead a holy war across star systems. The novel was first put to screen in 1984 in an infamously ill-fated adaptation. Helmed by auteur director David Lynch, the movie was victim not only to vast studio interference, but a runtime that couldn’t satisfy the story and a scope more vast than the era’s effects would allow. Nearly 40 years later, Denis Villeneuve, director of Sci-Fi films such as Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, took on the challenge of rebooting the franchise with a far more comprehensive budget, vision, and effects. His first Dune movie was received extremely well both critically and commercially, and immediately spawned plans for a sequel, which has just released in theatres. Dune: Part 2 follows on from the previous movie, with Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) and his mother living with the Fremen, the native people of the desert planet that Paul and his family once ruled, Arrakis. Arrakis is a point of contention amongst the various space-faring factions, as control of the planet means control of its primary resource, Spice, a drug used by the wealthier members of the galactic empire. Across the runtime, Paul learns the ways of the Fremen, becomes close with a Fremen woman called Chani (played by Zendaya), and manages the title of The Chosen One, thrust upon him by certain Fremen who are eager to have their old prophecies fulfilled. The various relationships that Paul maintains with his family, the Fremen and his sworn enemies, the Harkonnens, are deftly handled and never become tangled or confusing.
Dune: Part 2, 2024. Directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Denis Villeneuve’s direction and cinematography often utilises a still camera, gorgeous lighting, and stunning wide shots, which sacrifices a focus on blocking the characters, but works perfectly for the Dune series. Villeneuve’s style lends itself to epics with grand scope and stunning, gargantuan set pieces using huge ships and buildings. This trend was established in Arrival (2016), furthered in Blade Runner: 2049 (2019), mastered in Dune (2021), and perfected in Dune: Part 2. The utterly colossal sand worms, ships, and dunes (haha) are absolutely captivating and Villeneuve’s framing of each makes every second of the film a feast for the eyes. Dune: Part 2’s use of CGI and green screen is so mind-bogglingly impressive that I genuinely wondered if half the movie was shot in a massive desert. Once again, Villeneuve’s vision strengthens the film’s effects, allowing it to flex its $291 million AUD budget to its full extent. Speaking of lighting, there is a sequence set on Geidi Prime, the Harkonnen’s home planet which sits under a black sun. Everything the black sun touches is leeched of all colour, creating a stunning series of scenes that left me wanting to revisit the planet as often as possible. The film’s score was created by the legendary Hans Zimmer, who used thunderous drumbeats and angelic singing to permeate the film and do a tremendous job of heightening the intense drama.
Dune: Part 2 is a monumental movie that is sure to be as successful as it is ambitious, with the time it took to make allowing for every element to shine. It is a movie I would hate to spoil and should be experienced in the biggest cinema possible.