REVIEW: ‘Dune’ sequel is an exceptional sci-fi epic

Add one more to the bandwagon, “Dune: Part Two” has won another person over to the franchise.

“Part Two” picks up not too long after the conclusion of the first film. Paul (Timothée Chalamet), heir to the now destroyed House Atreides, along with his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), are seeking refuge with the local inhabitants of the sand planet Arrakis.

Those inhabitants, the Fremen, are split on the newcomer, some trusting Paul and seeing him as a potential savior and others who are leery. He begins earning their trust, though, as he helps them fight against the ruthless House Harkonnen for control of Arrakis.

I was in the minority with the first “Dune.” When it was released 2021, I was one of the few who gave it a negative review, crediting it for its pristine look and strong technical achievements, but finding it mostly a cold experience.

The chracters were difficult to connect with, many of them coming across as too stiff and not having enough personality. Much of the film also just seemed to offer a bunch of political and spiritual jargon that didn’t feel accessible.

The film’s story also seemed like an extended first act, never really having a clear inciting incident for Paul’s character arc to launch. Fortunately, the sequel is a complete 180. The film has a straightforward rebels Vs. evil occupiers structure that really keeps a person engaged.

The politics, spiritual aspects and warfare all feel more streamlined this way, and it makes the sci-fi world easier to dive into as a viewer. The result is a film much more captivating than its predecessor, holding a person’s interest throughout the long runtime.

Plus, Paul now has a solid character arc that’s interesting to see unfold, as he is finding where he belongs in the conflict, whether it’s as a common soldier with the Fremen or their leader. Another well-handled aspect of his character is his relationship with the Fremen warrior Chani (Zendaya) who he comes to love, even if it complicates his role in the whole war.

Another great addition is Austin Butler’s new villain character Feyd-Rautha. He’s a ruthless, sadistic individual, yet in combat has a sort of warrior’s code and sense of honor, making him not only a good antagonist, but a proper rival for Paul. He is a far more compelling villain than the other two Harkonnen.

Zendaya also deserves credit for her portrayal of Chani, giving her both an edge on the battlefield and a charm when interacting with Paul or her friends. The supporting cast, including Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh Javier Bardem and Christopher Walken lend good performances, too.

As expected, Denis Villeneuve and his crew deliver on the sights and sounds. It’s most definitely recommended that a person watch this on the biggest screen they have available. The film is massive in scale, with breathtaking imagery and pitch perfect sound putting audiences in the middle of large battles, the taming of giant sand worms and more.

The only issues that come with this sequel happen in the third act. There’s a lot that gets crammed into the final section of the movie, from political maneuvering to a change in Paul’s character that happens too fast.

It’s understandable that this is a big story and the movie is already long, but the ending still felt cramped. With all that said, “Dune 2” is very much worth the price of admission to an UltraScreen or IMAX theater. It is a visually stunning, compelling sci-fi picture. 4.25 out of 5.

Author: Matthew Liedke

Journalist and film critic in Minnesota. Graduate of Rainy River College and Minnesota State University in Moorhead. Outside of movies I also enjoy sports, craft beers and the occasional video game. View all posts by Matthew Liedke