‘Dune: Part 2’ Takes an Epic Leap Forward (Review)
metroweekly.comDenis Villeneuve’s stunningly realized film adaptations of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi saga Dune take an epic leap forward in Dune: Part Two, the sequel to the Oscar-winning first film starring Timothée Chalamet as possible Chosen One, Paul Atreides.Last seen at the end of Dune trekking into the desert like a twink Lawrence of Arabia, Paul is still a refugee on the desert planet Arrakis.
Following the massacre of his father and the House of Atreides by savage Harkonnen forces, he’s hiding among the native Fremen, plotting to avenge his House, while also evading death or capture by his clan’s universe of enemies, including ruler of all, Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken).The first film felt mostly like a long-winded setup for a protagonist who took little action.
This installment plants Paul in the driver’s seat for a spicier tale of revenge, and, as it turns out, religion.The Fremen, as discussed in Part One, await the arrival of a messiah who’ll free Arrakis from the rapacious Houses who come to mine the planet’s all-important element, Spice.
All signs point to Paul being the One, with Fremen tribe leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem, in the film’s most amusing turn) especially convinced that Paul’s presence proves the prophecy.
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