Dune: Part Two

It’s the The Empire Strikes Back and The Dark Knight Rises of this generation. We couldn’t have wished for a better second installment in Frank Herbert’s science-fiction series. Dune: Part Two is, like the first part, a true cinematic masterpiece. Director and writer Denis Villeneuve deserves all the praise.

Thanks to the Emperor, a war has broken out between the houses of Atreides and Harkonnen. As a result House Atreides has been wiped out, but the Duke’s son has survived. Paul has joined the Fremen along with his mother. The original inhabitants of the planet Arrakis want the planet back for themselves. And Paul would be their promised savior, the Mahdi.

Paul is gradually learning the ways of the Fremen. Chani and Stilgar teach him everything and give him a new name, Muad’Dib. Meanwhile, the signs from the prophecy are adding up. Paul’s pregnant mother and member of the Bene Gesserit has become Reverend Mother and spreads the word of the Mahdi’s coming. Even Paul himself has come to believe that he is more than he thought he was.

Under pressure from his mother and his own desire to become stronger and more powerful among the Fremen, he drinks ‘The Water of Life’. The poison of a sandworm opens his eyes. Paul ís the Mahdi. Now he can see the past and possible futures. However, for defeating the Harkonnens and the Emperor, Paul has seen only one possibility. Will he succeed in giving the planet Arrakis back to the Fremen?

Slow and fast

The first book in the Dune series has now been adapted into two parts. A good choice. Villeneuve creates enough time to build the story and do it justice. This ensures that the pace of the film is very enjoyable to watch. Not too fast and not too slow. Just right.

The incredible visuals of the desert planet Arrakis combined with Hans Zimmer’s music are the highlights of the film. Make sure to see Dune: Part Two on the biggest screen with the best sound possible. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in the world of Frank Herbert.

The Oscar nominations for 2024 have already been set. Christopher Nolan, director of Oppenheimer, will surely be relieved. There’s a good chance Dune: Part Two will be up for numerous golden statues next year. But that will be well-deserved. The cast including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson play their roles once again with finesse. And behind the scenes, hard work has been put into this masterpiece. The cast and crew deserve all the praise that this film is yet to receive.

Will there be a Dune: Part Three?

Frank Herbert’s book series spans multiple books. The first part, Dune, has now been adapted as a whole by Villeneuve. But he’s not done yet. With the arrival of new characters, including Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan and Anya-Taylor Joy as Paul’s future sister Alia Atreides, Villeneuve is setting up for a third installment in his film series.

The open ending, where a war between the great Houses erupts, calls for more. The new characters and the upcoming war play a significant role in Herbert’s second book in the series, Dune: Messiah. There’s nothing official yet, but there’s a good chance that Villeneuve is currently working on a script for Dune: Part Three. However, it may take a few more years before it hits the big screen.

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, e.a.
Regisseur: Denis Villeneuve
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures & Legendary Pictures