Dune: Part 2 – a masterpiece!
As the credits roll, the only thing that I’m thinking right now is:
Man.
That was actually so good!
After waiting years for a good movie to drop (a rare commodity nowadays!) at long last Dune: Part 2 has given me hope and I’m not joking when I say… it is awesome!
Dune Part 2 continues the journey of young Duke Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) on his quest for vengeance against the merciless House Harkonnen, on the most dangerous desert planet in the known universe, Arrakis (which also conveniently hosts the most valuable resource in existence). He and his mother befriend the mysterious Freman people, who view Paul as some form of Messiah. With their knowledge of the desert and the gigantic sandworms that inhabit it, Paul begins his quest for knowledge and justice… but slowly grows into his role as the Lisan-Al-Gaib, with disastrous consequences.
Dune Part 2’s visual effects absolutely blew me away. I could hear everything in the cinema, to the slightest wisp of wind, to the thunderous songs of the sandworms (known to the Freman as Shai-Hulud). Unlike many movies which quickly sift through scenery like a card deck, this movie was different. There was a heavy emphasis on scenery whilst the awesome action unfolded. Sands unending spread across the horizon, occasionally dotted by rocky pinnacles, where the Fremen built their sietches to escape from both heat and sandworm alike. Speaking of the sandworms – they are absolutely gorgeous. Their baleen-like teeth reminded me of whales and their terrifying yet moving sounds filled the cinema. Used as both weapons and transportation by the Fremen, they drive home the ‘wow’ factor for the movie, an ever-present threat yet also one of the key factors in liberating Arrakis. They are one of the many aspects that make Dune 2 SO GOOD.
And oh my goodness the soundtrack! Loud and catchy, the music rocked my world… literally. At one point, I kid you not, the entire cinema was shaking! The music is thunderous and warbling, personifying the spirit of Arrakis and the turmoil that plays upon its sands. One scene (spoiler ahead) shows Paul entering a Freman hideout, with the track ‘Arrival’ blaring (also there was a sandworm in the background, so bonus). I could feel the power and authority from my backrow seat. The presence of religious fervour was strong in this film. Despite the high level of technology present on Arrakis, the prophecy of the Lisan-Al-Gaib runs through the hearts and souls of the Freman. The transition of friends into worshippers and concubines and the transformation from free-willed people to fanatics was heartbreaking to see. The lovable Stilgar (Javier Bardem) who is seen as the comedy relief in the movie is a blind follower of Paul, proudly offering his life to the prophecy. The slightest action from Paul gains Stilgar’s respect, even when he denies it.
I was deeply moved by the struggles of Paul early on in the movie. At first, he merely seeks refuge alongside the Fremen, having read of them from holotapes. His family and home are gone, his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) has descended into religious fervour. He is completely and utterly alone in this harsh, yet beautiful world. All the time, despite the beliefs of the Fremen, he rejects the idea that he is their Messiah, driven by a vison of fear of death and destruction if he becomes what they think he is. But when he is eventually forced into the role, he slowly realises that there is no escape from it. Claiming his fief, his vengeance against the Harkonnen occupation.
Speaking of the Harkonnens, their stark contrast from the Fremen is drastic. Everything is different, from the black sun that casts the Harkonnen homeworld Giedi Prime, to the life not thriving, but trapped in a dystopian society. Fear is prevalent throughout the crowded streets, the people appearance matching their cruel leaders. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), the antagonist from the first movie, returns but his cruelty is now surpassed by his nephew, Feyd Rautha (Austin Butler). An equal to Paul Atreides in every way, but unlike Paul, kills for pleasure and revels in pain, from his victims and unto himself. He toys with his victims and flounces a false sense of honour.
I can’t say this enough, but Dune is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! As a mostly faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels, the lore behind it is phenomenal. There are many critics out there that are constantly saying that the first Dune movie was merely setting the scene. And you can bet your bottom dollar it was compared to Part 2. Finally, a worthy sequel that isn’t Star Wars Episode V. Dune: Part 2 had a Hollywood budget of US$190 million; in my opinion, the money was well spent!
The sands of Arrakis await, its desert as old as time itself and its people are ready to fight for freedom! Yahya Choudaha! Long live the fighters!
Thomas C, Year 11