Denis Villeneuve managed to achieve what many filmmakers can’t: film the unfilmable. Due to the dense writing style and Frank Herbert’s world-building obsession, “Dune” was seen as almost impossible to put on the silver screen. Whether it’s legendary director David Lynch’s 1984 flop or Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s would-be experimental adaptation, “Dune” managed to keep it’s hard-to-adapt reputation for over half a century. While the first “Dune” movie was a thrilling, albeit bare-bones adaptation of the classic novel, “Dune 2” surpasses its predecessor in every single way.
Villeneuve is no stranger to science fiction — it’s his specialty, with critically acclaimed sci-fi flicks such as “Blade Runner 2049” (arguably the best science fiction film of the 21st century) and “Arrival” both in his filmography. In usual Villeneuve fashion, the cinematography is what truly shines in this movie. There isn’t a single shot in “Dune 2” that isn’t breathtaking, immersing viewers into the desolate, yet gorgeous planet. The first film struggled to cram well over 700 pages worth of world-building into a feature-length film. However, part two manages to finish the second half of the book in a way that captures the overall feeling of the novel while also providing a fresh look on Frank Herbert’s classic.
The performances are another aspect that stand out, with the film’s star-studded cast all pitching in and embodying their roles well. By far, the best performances of the film are from Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson) and Stilgar (Javier Bardem) who bring new life to the complex, yet fierce characters from the novel.
The film is not without criticism; however, as Zendaya and Chalamet are mixed bags in parts of the film. Their acting feels less than becoming of who their characters are supposed to be. Chalamet lacks the authoritative presence needed for a figure like Paul Atreides, while Zendaya’s scenes sometimes fall flat. Fortunately, Chalamet definitely picks up the charisma later on in the film.
“Dune 2” proved to be an extremely enjoyable watch that, while flawed, shows that Villeneuve can make visceral, mainstream, sci-fi flicks that stand the test of time. In a film industry where sequels tend to be half-baked attempts at recreating the glory of the original, “Dune 2”defies the trend and instead, joins the pantheon of franchise classics that exceed their predecessors.
