Dune : Part Two
Introduction
The visual medium of cinema has exceeded expectations and how! Onto the next release of the weekend and I have finished watching the new English film, Dune : Part Two which is directed by the maestro Denis Villeneuve. I remember watching Dune which was out a little after the second Covid-19 wave in 2021, and was absolutely spellbound by the visuals of the film that in my opinion had overpowered a little of its substance as well in terms of the writing. My only regret was of not watching the film in a theatre, a period that can only be attributed to the then ongoing pandemic. But what the film Dune did was create a world which had a lot going for it in terms of its aesthetics and ambience with a whole lot of characters that were able to create a good stake for this post apocalyptic world. Since then, there was a lot of buzz amidst the cinephiles on what to expect next, given that Dune had ended on a tantalizing note. What I was expecting while venturing into Dune : Part Two was the frames and the breathtaking cinematography that prompted me to opt for an IMAX Screen. Needless to say that I was supremely excited for it, so then does Dune : Part Two manage to impress, let’s find out.
Story & Screenplay
Based on a novel, Dune : Part Two picks up from the same point where the first part had ended and it follows the story of Paul who unites with Chani and the Fremen while on the path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. The story here is extremely articulate with its detailing and given that there are multiple characters and houses involved, I would suggest you either watch the first part again or atleast watch its recap video in order to avoid being lost in this magnum opus. But once you have crossed that barrier, you will be subjected to a magestic tale of fortune and fantasy which can be enjoyed best on the biggest screen possible. The screenplay standing at a runtime of almost 170 minutes moves at a leisurely pace while allowing you enough room to be invested in the drama and its characters all over again.
The drama begins with a heavy voice over presenting a line, ‘Power Over Spice Is Power Overall’, a phrase that pretty much gives you an idea of what everyone is fighting for on the planet of Arrakis. You are reintroduced to Paul and the equation that he shares with Chani and Stilgar while still being under the shadow of his mother Jessica. The journey here involves Paul being initially acquainted with the Fremen who are reluctant given that he had previously killed one of their men in the first part. Slowly but surely, he wins over the group only to be believed to be a prophet, something that Paul very well understands in terms of the responsibility that comes with it. This, while the planet of Arrakis has multiple stakeholders in the form of Harkonnens including its Baron and his Emperor who would stop at nothing at eliminating competition and in turn gaining control over the ‘Spice'(a powdery substance used to hallucinate about the future by simply expanding the horizons of the mind). Another thread involves Paul’s quest for attaining revenge along the way!
The proceedings are engaging and engrossing particularly with respect to the buildup that the drama has to offer coupled with the character dynamics that play a very important part in the larger scheme of things. There are multiple threads that open multiple sub-plots along the way, something that adds layer to the drama. What the writers also do is keep introducing new stakeholders to the ‘throne’ that adds to the excitement, even as you sit in awe of the stellar action set-pieces and the beautiful frames capturing them.
There are a few twists and turns along the way including a major revelation regarding the past of Paul that opens a whole new dimension to the drama(also reminescent of a popular and controversial Hindi film that was out recently, ofcourse on a lighter note). But where the film falters is in the finale that seemed to be extravagent alright but far too rushed including the twin action sequences that didn’t quite give me a high. But a little plot point at the end, adds to the excitement of the third part. Overall, the screenplay is well penned and makes for a memorable big screen experience.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are conversational but packed with a lot of details that need to be comprehended, and that means that you need to be supremely attentive throughout the film. The BGM is majestic and adds volumes of depth to this incredible magnum opus. Where the film truly scores is in the stellar frames that are so beautifully etched that the only way to truly appreciate them is to watch the film on the biggest screen possible. This is perhaps the best kind of wide shots that I have witnessed onscreen for a very long time. The editing is also incredibly good, never allowing the momentum to die down in the drama. Director Denis Villeneuve is a legend in the purest sense who just understands his craft just so well. Having started with humble beginnings including the incredible Incendies, he has slowly but surely grown in stature to someone with cinematic vision that is so profound and exquisite. His world building and characterization are all on point in what is an incredible piece of direction if ever there was one!
Performances
The performances are simply mind blowing by the ensemble cast. Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot, Charlotte Rampling as Reverand Mother and Christopher Walker as the Emperor Shaddam have their moments to shine. Dave Bautista as Rabban and Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan are incredibly good. Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir is intimidating with his presence in a very different way in a fine job done. Josh Brolin as Gurney shines in a couple of combat sequences. Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha is outstanding to the core in a towering act that is intimidating in equal measures. Javier Bardem as Stilgar contributes to some of the lighter moments of the screenplay with some sharp one-liners. Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica is stoic and wonderfully well restrained in her character. Zendaya as Chani has a stellar screen presence and she impresses with her acting chops as well as the combat sequences. Timothee Chalamet as Paul has tremendous range as an actor especially when you happened to assess his previous performance in Wanda followed by Dune 2. He has a range of emotions in his armoury and he taps into each one of them with ease while shining in multiple action set-pieces. This was another brilliant act by a supremely talented performer.
Conclusion
Boasting of incredibly good performances and some beautiful frames to admire, Dune : Part Two is a majestic magnum opus to cherish and savour, a drama that deserves to be watched on the biggest screen possible. Available in a theatre near you and Highly Recommended!