Dune: Part Two – Denis Villeneuve crafts a cinematic masterpiece for the ages

Crafting the perfect sequel to an acclaimed or popular film is often challenging for most filmmakers. While there are certainly examples of sequels that have eclipsed the original, more often than not sequels fail to match the standards set by their predecessors. However, on the odd occasion, a few films do manage to upstage the first film to the extent that they stake a claim on the upper echelons of Hollywood’s cinematic elite. French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has finally found the right between cinematic brilliance and mainstream recognition. It is surprising that Villeneuve, arguably one of the greatest filmmakers of this generation, is yet to be revered in the same regard as someone like Christopher Nolan.

Dune: Part Two is Villeneuve’s magnum opus, and it speaks volumes about its quality considering Villeneuve’s body of work includes outstanding titles such as Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. The success of Dune: Part Two could also be a defining moment in Villeneuve’s career, taking into account his previous attempt at a major blockbuster, Blade Runner 2049, which failed at the box office despite widespread critical acclaim. Dune: Part Two’s potential box office numbers could further reinforce the belief that Marvel’s firm grip over the box office with popcorn films for over a decade is at an end.

It is safe to argue that Villeneuve does not make subpar films, and as a result, the challenges he faced in helming a Dune trilogy are often overlooked. Several acclaimed directors have failed to translate their reputations into box office success, and a few believed that the Dune films could make or break Villeneuve’s career in mainstream Hollywood. In fact, David Lynch’s reputation briefly took a hit after helming the 1984 film adaptation of Dune. Over the years, several commentators labelled Frank Herbert’s Dune novels as ‘unfilmable’, as they are layered with complex storylines told through internal monologues, and with detailed and expansive lore too vast to condense for the silver screen. When Villeneuve picked up the baton of helming the reboot there was a sense of cautious optimism. However, with the release of Dune: Part Two it is safe to say that he has exceeded expectations.

The story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) may not be an original concept, considering he is one of the several Jesus archetypes in pop culture history, such as Jon Snow, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Superman, and John Connor among others. It is the world or the reality inhabited by Paul Atreides that renders the story compelling. The fascinating characters, the unique setting thousands of years in the future, the hint of supernatural elements, and most importantly the riveting political landscape across the galaxy, set the Dune trilogy apart from other familiar stories. Ultimately it is a less violent version of Game of Thrones set in the outer reaches of the galaxy, and it is not too far-fetched to theorise that Groege R R Martin may have taken inspiration from Frank Herbert’s iconic novels to write the Game of Thrones novels titled A Song of Ice and Fire. In addition to Dune’s enthralling universe, Villeneuve has added his ingenious filmmaking style, aided by the captivating sound design by Hans Zimmer, to deliver a film that will be revered and even studied for years to come.

Dune: Part Two excels because it navigates through complex themes, such as religion and politics, without the need for drawn-out expositions. Villeneuve recently confessed that he prefers visuals and sound over dialogue, and it is evident throughout Dune: Part Two. Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), becoming a Reverend Mother of the powerful religious and political sisterhood called the Bene Gesserit, and her shift in motivations over the course of the narrative is explained through visuals rather than explicit dialogue. Paul slowly submitting to the prophecy of the Kwisatz Haderach or the Lisan al Gaib and revelling in his power, or the power that he could gain, are explained with a degree of subtlety and some masterful camera work. While these nuances will certainly excite cinephiles. a film of such scale and ambition would also ideally require a few edge-of-your-seat moments. Fortunately, the film has them in spades, and it delivers a few spine-tingling moments across the narrative. These scenes are further elevated by the film's star-studded ensemble (Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Stellan Skarsgård, Léa Seydoux, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Dave Bautista), with Zendaya in particular delivering her career-best performance as the Fremen warrior Chani.

Despite the film’s two hours and 46 minutes runtime, the narrative breezes by thanks to its gripping screenplay, written by Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts. With the stage set for the final film of the trilogy, the anticipation is almost palpable. One might even argue that Dune: Part Two will remain the crème de la crème of global cinema in the 2020s.