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Some stories should be told in full. No need to break them apart and yet Dune the massive Frank Herbert sci-fi novel saw itself being told in two parts from Denis Villeneuve in yet another attempt at taking on this epic. The first film released in 2021 was both critically acclaimed and a better than most box office success even with Covid giving it good but not great numbers. Either way there was never a doubt that the story of Paul Atreides and his spicy worms wouldn’t get their full day in the sun. DUNE PART ONE and now PART TWO are an example of both grand storytelling that in one half minimized its more intimate moments and in a second half puts them on such a high stand that you both feel amazed and watching and uncomfortable knowing you should not be around for what is to unfold. Yes this critic was not a fan of DUNE PART ONE and while this review will spend little to no time comparing the two films it is unfortunately hard to talk about one without mention of the other. The best thing however is that PART TWO can stand on its own in the sense that anyone who doesn’t like one half can easily enjoy the other. PART TWO is not just an elevation of everything that came before it but also a reminder of where we are (or unfortunately are not) with big studio movies. It is no longer about taking risks (that has been dead long ago) but instead finding a studio film that will actually allow itself to unfold over time and in its own film expel bleakness and ill faith in humanity. Not every film needs to be a downer, but we still need those that are willing to say this is not going to end well and beware because there is still more to come. DUNE: PART TWO doesn’t beg for the next installment but rather makes you aware there could be one coming. This time maybe things will work out for humanity, but either way there is quite a bit of grandiose fun and heartbreak to have along the way making things all the spicier.

Paul Atreides  (Timothee Chalamet) is without a home. His family’s arrival on the planet Arrakis was met with bloodshed by the orders of the Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) and his father, the leader of House Atreides is no more. Left with only his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) Paul and Jessica have found slight comfort amongst the planet’s native people the Fremen. Both the books and films of Dune are full of world building but for DUNE: PART TWO its biggest focus is on Paul’s continuous journey into possibly becoming the leader the Fremen’s prophecies believe him to be. Amongst the biggest believers of Paul is Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) who doesn’t doubt for a moment that Paul is their savior much to the dismay of Fremen Chani (Zendaya) who while possibly finding a sense of love towards Paul knows he can be their hero only if he stays true to the man he claims to be. His mother Jessica on the other hand has continued the practices of the Bene Gesserit, an ancient all knowing society of women, and uses the water of life to both force the idea that Paul is the savior as well as protect her unborn daughter who may be forming at an exhilarating rate. All this and we still have not even gotten to the Emperor Shaddam IV who is joining forces with Harkonnen to stop this possible leader in the desert. DUNE: PART TWO carries a heavy story that grows even more expansive, but with Villeneuve’s patient directing (his most since the first half of Sicario) the film is able to guide its ensemble (that also includes Florence Pugh as the Princess Irulan and Austin Butler as the evil Harkonnen Feyd-Rautha) to moments where nearly everyone stands out and holds up their own support to this heavy house of a film that easily could have crumbled.

While there are many ideas at play throughout PART TWO, its birth of a prophet is its most engaging. Chalamet has grown into such a phenomenon of a pop culture figure in just a short time that most actors just sleep through their performances for a quick check. But Chalamet continues to impress even in films that don’t hold well. Thankfully this is not one of them. Chalamet is at its gigantic center and as Paul is first forced into a role uncertain even to him, what makes this performance terrifying is how easily he comes to believe ideas he has not shown. Bardem as Stilgar fully embodies how so many blindly follow false leaders and have done so since the beginning of time. DUNE may look like it is in the past with its wide desert locations, but don’t forget that this is a story set in a not too far future where the notion that humans can still fall for such blind trickery is all the scarier. Chalamet’s jump from subtle to rage balances off someone else that has no problem hiding their lunacy. Enter Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha the murderous Harkonnen nephew. His entrance may be unsettling, but Villeneuve gets to have some of the most fun he’s had as a filmmaker with his gladiator style intro for Rautha. Seriously you have expect Rautha to shout “are you not entertained” as he mutilates men in the arena in an already unfair fight. Working again with cinematographer Greg Fraser the two have fun toying with the back and forth of color to black and white moments in these more violent scenes. It is not that Villeneuve is creating anything that other filmmakers cannot do themselves but watching PART TWO does give off the annoying reminder that far too many filmmakers choose not to do more.

There is no question that DUNE is on a grand scale but to the magnitude of this second half is something that reminds us how fun big screen movies can be. There are plenty of big action moments throughout and yes many that involve those pesky sandworms. Even as the film winds down it keeps in its back pocket an action sequence involving hand to hand combat that is a testament to the films actors, stunt performers and especially the often not praised enough foley teams who truly create some teeth grinding sound design in the best way. In fact much credit should go to the film’s sound team as even in the film’s quieter moments as they track through the sand it is one of the few films this critic has seen where the post production sound design never feels separate from the film. Far too many action films have sound design where you can basically hear where it was added but with DUNE you feel every grain of sand slip through their feet as well as when it comes to those giant explosions that practically blow up right next to you.

But even amongst some truly jaw dropping action sequences this story of DUNE is harbored by its characters and the pain they are not just going through but also inflict onto one another. Chani and Paul are fun to watch fall in love but it’s even more heartbreaking when we see how quickly things can fall apart. Zendaya an actress who can speak volumes with just a glance may not be given the most to do here (far beyond what the books ever gave) but every appearance is a welcomed breathe of fresh air with some sense of realism. As mentioned before Bardem as Stilgar is basically an exaggerated version of a father-in-law figure most men probably dream to have. Someone who worships their newfound son. A terrifying notion in the world of men where those in power lift up their own with no regards for actual discussion. Another one of these men is Paul’s old mentor Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin). A character that was believed to be dead reunites with Paul and instantly backs up the beliefs that Paul is the messiah. Another male figure that continuously pushes this narrative disregarding any non-believers. You even get the sense that Guerney does not fully beleive in a Prophet or Messiah if you will, but if it allows Paul to succeed then he has sworn his allegiance a long time ago. And even with all this there is still Lady Jessica lurking in the background making sure everyone follows her son. Its a disturbing almost Oedipus complex and Rebecca Ferguson sinks her teeth into everything whether it be her unborn baby or pushing her powers with the Bene Gesserit just for the sake of keeping a prophecy alive that even she does not know can be true, but if the weak fall for it then everything will work out.

Both Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts use their script to show how Herbert’s world and all its depth really boils down to a whole society pushing a narrative that may be their very demise. This is where DUNE: PART TWO not only surpasses its predecessor but shows that Herbert’s complicated books can be properly adapted. That isn’t to say there are not a few moments derailed from the sources that would have been exciting to see and also sets up future installments in a couple confusing ways for those that read what’s coming next. But in transferring this story to a new medium Villeneuve has proven he has the spice. “You are not ready for what comes next” seems to be the ongoing tag for this iteration of DUNE movies and while PART TWO certainly fills like a middle story there is more than enough to stand on its own. Yes eventually the five hour version should be released but PART TWO both satisfies on its own while still having you begging to see what comes next even if what you may see will terrify you to your core.

A-

DUNE: PART TWO WILL BE RELEASED IN THEATERS MARCH 1