The long-awaited “Dune: Part Two” was released in theaters on March 1. Universally received better than its first installment, “Dune: Part One,” the new Dune movie has been praised for its immersive special effects, captivating visuals, superb acting, and enrapturing plot.
Based on the 1965 science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, “Dune” was originally adapted by American filmmaker David Lynch in 1984 but was met with largely negative reviews. Despite this, the film developed a cult following in the late 1980s. Later, the series was adapted into a miniseries in the 2000s by the American cable channel Syfy and finally adapted in 2021 by Canadian director Denis Villeneuve for “Dune: Part One.”
“Dune: Part Two” received an IMDb rating of 9.4/10 stars, becoming the platform’s highest rated film of all time. and an average rating of 4.6/5 stars from Letterboxd users.
“There’s something more alive in [‘Part Two’],” Villeneuve said in a press conference in South Korea last year. “There’s a relationship to the characters. I was trying to reach for an intensity and a quality of emotions that I didn’t reach with ‘Part One’ and that I did reach with ‘Part Two.’ I’m not saying the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with ‘Part Two’ than I was with ‘Part One.’”
The movie has a star-studded cast, including, most notably, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh, which a great deal of its buzz can be attributed to. The story takes place on Arrakis, a fictional desert planet, where Paul Atreides and Zendaya (Chalamet and Zendaya) are love interests divided by religious beliefs and duties. It’s a movie full of visceral and intense action while not minimizing the actors’ true talent.
“Together they humanize the story, giving it the necessary personal stakes and a warmth that helps balance the chilling violence,” “New York Times” writer Manohla Dargia said.
Austin Butler’s performance of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the cruel and violent nephew of ruler of House of Harkonnen, Baron Harkonnen, adds to the movie’s component of ruthless violence. In contrast, Chalamet and Zendaya were able to round out the violence with their tender and heartfelt performances.
There’s something more alive in [‘Part Two’]. There’s a relationship to the characters.
— Denis Villeneuve
Herbert’s novel is the first of a six book series, however, Villeneuve has expressed his intention to not continue making the movies past the second book in the series. Therefore, a third film from Villeneuve is expected, just not anytime soon.
“I don’t know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis,” Villeneuve said. “I might make a detour before just to go away from the sun. For my mental sanity I might do something in between.”
The film has been a massive success since its debut, making $183 million during the opening weekend. Make sure to check out “Dune: Part Two” while it’s still in theaters!
