“Dune: Part Two” (2024) – Movie Review

Writer/Director: Denis Villeneuve

 Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson

                                                                                                         ‘Spectacular Sequel’

When it comes to the world’s greatest books that won’t be forgotten soon, it’s worth discussing “Dune”. Achieving a fortune, Frank Herbert’s book painted portraits of dusty dune planets making readers swoon. Published during the 1960’s, it accomplished impossible missions of celebrating Arabian countries. A long time ago in galaxies far far away, it changed the way Arabia is seen today.  As precious as the ring, it proved stories of Arab people were worth telling. On a personal level, I find the novel’s portrayals of Arabia relatable. At an early age, I formed a negative image of the country after bombing damage. I remember bombing trauma in Saudi Arabia. In 2003, my family had settled down in the country. I grew up to value a country making dreams come true. I admired sand of a land where I didn’t think terrorism would be planned. Turning blind eyes to terrorism, my family regarded it as a paradise. However, terrorism changed my life forever. In the wake of 9/11, my family faced bombings causing heartache. Truth be told, I was five years old. Terrorism was a shock to the system. Arrival of terrorists caused dreams to crumble. My family became prisoners of disasters. In a miracle, my family achieved survival. That being said, it changed views of Arabia forever. As my house was engulfed in flame, views of Arabia wouldn’t be the same. It became an enemy. Reading allowed me to cope with disasters which were upsetting. Looking back in nostalgia, I cherish a sci-fi book about Arabia. Years later, I treasure books about Arab culture. 

Now, Denis Villeneuve commemorates celebrated books about Arabian countries I came value in “Dune: Part Two”. Action-packed, heartwarming and sweeping, it celebrates world-famous novels honoring Arabian people. Denis Villeneuve commemorates literature changing understandings of Arabian countries. Boasting breathtaking production-design, soul-stirring storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a breathtaking achievement. Although “Dune: Part Two” is extraordinary, it isn’t flawless. Its excessive running-time tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it provides exhilarating entertainment pleasing fans of the literature.

“Dune: Part Two” follows the messiah seeking to rescue planets where dreams come true. Timothee Chalamet reprises roles of Paul Atreides, a warrior willing to sacrifice life for his planet Arrakis selling spice. Paul is over-the-moon after being selected as messiah by followers on dune planets offering fortune. However, Paul’s households are shattered when terrorists put Arrakis’ future in catastrophic danger. Experiencing regrets, Paul questions whether he can save planets.

Denis Villeneuve admires Arabia. His masterpiece “Incendies” examined Lebanese women experiencing war-torn countries. With “Dune: Part Two”, however, Villeneuve constructs sequels. It’s the filmmaker’s attempt reimagining science-fiction novels, but he succeeds. Visually, it’s a feast for eyes as breathtaking as Arrakis planets regarded paradise. Commemorating “Dune”, Villeneuve employs Arabian locations capturing lands’ fortune. Arabian locations elevate the sequence where Paul and Chani appreciate breathtaking landscapes of planet Arrakis. It sparked memories of admiration for Arabian countries before bombing catastrophes. Villeneuve’s decision using Arabian locations lends authenticity. If David Lynch’s “Dune” failed recreating Arabia through CGI, Villeneuve employs Arabian countries. Alongside cinematographer Greig Fraser, Villeneuve demonstrates Arabia’s beauty. Villeneuve celebrates literature, constructing theatrical viewing. 

If science-fiction literature doesn’t attract you to theaters, however, there’s reasons to see “Dune: Part Two”. Villeneuve excels employing practical effects in movies, and “Dune: Part Two” is no exception. For instance, effects elevate the sandworm scene. During this unforgettable scene, Paul rides sandworms experiencing low survival possibilities. One appreciates effects recalling Brad Bird’s “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. Recalling Ethan Hunt’s encounter of sandstorms blinding eyes in Dubai, Paul Atreides witnesses sandworms that terrify. It reminded me of traumatizing bombings in countries where terrorism was unexpected. Effects are complicated. Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” demonstrated effects elevate science-fiction. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Furthermore, music is magnificent. Commemorating George Lucas’ “Star Wars: A New Hope, it demonstrates galaxies. Through production-design, Villeneuve commemorates Arabia.

Another extraordinary “Dune: Part Two” aspect is storytelling. Amidst thrilling entertainment, the film finds ample time for character development. Villeneuve’s screenwriting strength is capturing impact of trauma on messiahs through foreshadowing. In Hollywood, movies rarely address stress affecting messiahs’ success. As case in exemplar: David Lynch’s “Dune” depicted Paul Atreides as a hero trekking dune planets without experiencing trauma soon. Thankfully, though, “Dune: Part Two” avoids these pitfalls. Inspired with Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring”, Villeneuve uses foreshadowing signaling dangers messiahs are facing. Like Frodo’s forecasting of future dangers, Paul Atredies envisions disasters. It reminded me of trauma being unable to recover after my family experienced bombings in Saudi Arabia. Foreshadowing is complicated. As Villeneuve’s previous film “Arrival” suggested, foreshadowing elevates alien movies. David Yates’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” claimed foreshadowing enhances magical franchises. Nevertheless, it succeeds. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Villeneuve commemorates books today.

One appreciates astonishing performances.

Timothee Chalamet delivers a career-defining performance as Paul Atreides. Chalamet achieved fame portraying queer teenagers called by the name. With “Dune: Part Two”, however, he depicts his most demanding role. It’s challenging embodying messiahs, but Chalamet succeeds. Evoking Mark Hamill in George Lucas’ “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”, Chalamet embodies a messiah breaking backs managing a family empire experiencing consequences proving dire. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures angst, desperation and heroism of a messiah. It’s a phenomenal performance. 

The supporting cast is sensational, building spicy chemistry. Zendaya is superb, capturing charismatic acknowledgements of a female warrior stuck in a dilemma when she falls in love with a messiah facing trauma. Rebecca Ferguson is remarkable, bringing compassion to a mother on missions. Lastly, Austin Butler deserves acknowledgements. As a gladiator, he’s terrifying.

Finally, “Dune: Part Two” is worth watching in the Cinema for celebrating Arabia. Evoking David Lean’s “The Lawrence of Arabia”, it celebrates Arabian cultures. It commemorates universal themes including colonialism, genocide and religion. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with books to enjoy it. It delivers universal messages resonating with everyone experiencing trauma at an early age. Consequently, everyone would look forward to visiting dusty planets of “Dune: Part Two”.

Despite its message, however, “Dune: Part Two” can’t commemorate literature about planets experiencing damage. It suffers extended length. At 2 1/2 hours, it’s overlong. Villeneuve’s decision integrating political subplots into the movie is commendable but doesn’t succeed. Therefore, sequences capturing Harkonnen political negotiations aren’t as entertaining as Paul Altreides’ mission. Whereas political subplots enhanced Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator”, it deteriorates pacing. As HBO’s “Game of Thrones” demonstrated, political subplots elevate fantasy television series. While this excessive running-time is understandable considering the book’s complexity, it hinders the movie. Consequently, the sequel falters.

Nevertheless, fans of the iconic book would recognize “Dune: Part Two” and so will moviegoers giving acknowledgements to Arabian countries. A spectacular sequel, it achieves the impossible missions of celebrating a novel about Arab people. 60 years following publication of science-fiction books with acknowledgement through demonstrations of dusty dune fortune, it’s a spicy reminder of literature making readers swoon with no acknowledgements to be forgotten soon.

A soul-stirring tribute towards a sci-fi novel about sacrifice made by Arabs on planets selling spice, it’s a strong reminder of a book about price paid by people in Arabian countries where living conditions are rarely nice.

Like the precious rings hobbits are carrying, it’s an inspiring reminder of a novel gaining a fellowship following by claiming that stories regarding terrifying terrorism in the Middle East are worth telling. 

If movies can pay tributes to legendary sci-fi novels about Arabian people written a long time ago in galaxies far far away, hopefully it will change the way the Middle East is perceived by the Western world today.

As powerful as the planet of Arrakis, it has led me to let go of my painful past years after my family experienced terrorism causing regret by honoring a legendary book that had positive effects on my perceptions of a country impossible to forget.

4.5/5 stars