Legendary Pictures and Villeneuve Films’ Dune: Part Two (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is the sequel to Dune.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is alive and is with his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). Princess Irulan Corrino (Florence Pugh) feels, Paul may still be alive while her father, Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), is dispirited after the fall of House Atreides. Anyway, Paul and Jessica join forces with Fremen troops which are en route to Sietch Tabr on Arrakis. Stilgar (Javier Bardem) asks Jessica to drink the Water of Life and replace the dying Reverend Mother (Giusi Merli). The Water of Life prematurely awakens her unborn daughter’s mind in the womb, and Jessica begins to have spiritual conversations with the child, Alia. Jessica believes that people in North Arrakis must be first convinced of the Prophecy that a mother and son would bring prosperity to Arrakis.
Paul embraces the Fremen ways, passing tests like riding a sandworm. He also develops a romantic relationship with Fremen warrior Chani (Zendaya) who, incidentally, doesn’t believe in the Prophecy but is, nevertheless, convinced of Paul’s noble intentions and bravery. Soon, Paul assists during Fremen raids on Harkonnen spice harvesters, earning the mantles of ‘Muad’Dib’ and ‘Usul’. Jessica spiritually guides Paul’s ascent. There, Rabban (Dave Bautista) is replaced by his uncle, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), for his failure to stop Fremen revolts. Baron appoints his other nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), as the new ruler of Arrakis.
Meanwhile, Jessica completes her religious quest in the North, and travels to the South to unite with the fundamentalists there. Unwilling to travel to the South, Paul remains in the North and unites with his mentor, Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin). Finally, Paul is forced to go to the South where he eliminates Feyd-Rautha after the Southern Fremen leaders force him to challenge Stilgar for leadership. But Paul refuses to remove Stilgar by force although he declares himself the Lisan al Gaib. What happens finally?
This is the second of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune. Dennis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts have written a very engaging screenplay. The first around half an hour moves at a slightly slow pace but the visual beauty of the locales and the grandeur leave the audience open-mouthed. The pace picks up thereafter and the drama keeps the viewers quite engrossed. However, since the screenplay moves on several tracks, it gets confusing at sevral places. Hence the interest level of the audience diminishes at places. The scenes of Paul’s sandworm tests, of Paul’s fight-to-finish with Feyd-Rautha and of the aftermath of Paul drinking the Water of Life, of Jessica drinking the Water of Life, of Feyd-Rautha’s ascension to power are all outstanding. The climax is quite nail-biting.
Timothée Chalamet shines as Paul Atreides. He lives the character and breathes fire in action scenes. Zendaya is natural as Fremen warrior Chani who loves Paul. Rebecca Ferguson is wonderful as Paul’s Bene Gesserit mother. Josh Brolin makes his mark as Gurney Halleck. Austin Butler is terror personified in the role of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Javier Bardem lives his role of Stilgar. Anya Taylor-Joy is nice in the role of Paul’s unborn sister, Alia Atreides. Florence Pugh is natural as Princess Irulan Corrino. Dave Bautista has his moments as Rabban Harkonnen. Christopher Walken is dignified as the Emperor, Shaddam IV. Léa Seydoux has her moments as Lady Margot Fenring. Souheila Yacoub is realistic as Fremen warrior Shishakli. Stellan Skarsgård is menacing as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Charlotte Rampling is good as Gaius Helen Mohiam, the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother. Giusi Merli is lovely as Reverend Mother Ramallo.
Denis Villeneuve’s direction is outstanding. His narration is exciting and his conceptualisation is par excellence. But he should have made the narrative simpler. Hans Zimmer’s background music is extraordinary. Greig Fraser’s cinematography is mind-boggling. The locations on which the film has been shot are breathtaking. Computer graphics are phenomenal. Patrice Vermette’s production designing is outstanding. Joe Walker’s editing is razor-sharp. Dubbing is superb.
On the whole, Dune: Part Two is a wonderfully made film and a spectacular visual treat. But its prospects at the Hindi box-office are limited.
Released on 1-3-’24 at Movie Time Goregaon (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was quite weak at most of the places. The original English version, released simultaneously, will fare better than the dubbed version.