“Dune: Part Two,” released in theaters on March 1, 2024, presents the awaited sequel to the 2021 film “Dune.” The 1965 novel written by Frank Herbert is brought to life through the directing, writing and production of the award winning director Denis Villeneuve. Set in the year 10191 on the futuristic planet of Arrakis, the protagonist Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) rise to the throne is portrayed with seamless storytelling and stunning visuals.
As shown in the first moive, after the extinction of House Atreides, caused by their rival House Harkonnen, Paul is forced into hiding with the indigenous peoples of the planet, the Fremen. The Fremen, a society in need of a leader, found a unique religious following to Paul, as he is the one who can lead them to a so-called paradise.
“Dune: Part 2” perfectly follows up “Dune,” as this film would be impossible to understand and fully appreciate without the first film. Timothée Chalamet delivers a stunning performance as Paul by showing his emotion and passion in every scene he’s in.
However, Chalamet’s performance doesn’t discredit the likes of co-star Austin Butler as Feyd Rautha, who serves as Paul’s adversary. Butler steals the show in any scene he is in, as his most notable moment is when viewers are introduced to his character in the film.
Another noteworthy performance came from Zendaya as Chani, complemented by her performance in the role. Chani adds an interesting dynamic to the moive, as her character revealed that not all Fremen see Paul as a prophetic figure.
Furthermore, as seen in the movies “The Batman” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” cinematographer Greig Fraser delivers another eye-catching masterpiece by portraying the movie’s futuristic aesthetic through a varying color palette. For example, some scenes in the movie are black and white, while other use intense vibrancy which nearly blind audiences as if they were going outside on a sunny day.
Additionally, the film’s soundtrack is created by the legendary composer Hans Zimmer, notable for his soundtracks in movies such as “Inception” and “Interstellar.” Zimmer once again delivers dramatic music with an eclectic balance of synth and orchestra. The track “Kiss the Ring” is a prime example of Zimmer’s genius with a gradual buildup to a carefully crafted mesh of instruments.
“Dune: Part Two” cements itself as a part of Villeneuve’s elite set of movies and as one of the best sequels of all time. The film’s cinematography and soundtrack adds another dimension to its viewing experience. Bias or not, the film’s brilliance should not be denied.
