Dune: Part Two

The highest compliment I can give this absolutely brilliant film is that I was completely speechless after watching it. Never before in my life had I been at a loss for words after watching a film. Just to write this review, I had to squeeze words from my lips as if I was squeezing the moisture out of a man. Denis Villeneuve's vision and commitment to this film is deeply admirable, and can be seen countless times throughout Dune: Part Two, however it radiates most brilliantly in his depiction of the dark Harkonnen planet known as Geidi Prime. Every scene set in the Harkonnen homeworld is shot with special cameras that make the black and white, barren and cold landscape of Geidi Prime feel raw at its core, and incredibly realistic. This is due to the fact that the planet has a black sun. Just as our sun is white, and radiates UV rays, hence the reason why most people on Earth have darker skin tones, the sun that Geidi Prime revolves around is black, and therefore is void of UV rays, hence why the Harkonnens are so pale. This is a detail that not only enriches the representation of the Dune universe, but also shows Villeneuve's faithfulness to the original 1965 Frank Herbert novel, Dune. Among the many things that this film executes excellently, there's one thing that stands out for its odd uniqueness and beauty; that, of course, being Paul and Chani's relationship. Unfortunately, nowadays, it's very rare for such a wholesome and beautiful romance to be depicted in cinema. Chani and Paul's romance in Dune: Part Two is something that no other modern day film will be able to capture; it's a romance that is powered by their genuine love for each other, a love that transcends their bodies and minds. This type of depiction of pure love reminds me greatly of The Lord of The Rings films, something that cannot be more of a compliment for any film. Perhaps this pure romance is why the ending hurts so much more than it would've for any other sci-fi action film. Obviously, this romance is so well executed not only because of Villeneuve's direction, but also because of Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's magnetic chemistry, so that credit must be given where due. My third point is yet another thing that this film executes excellently, yet it's not something that is predominant through the whole film; it isn't the breathtaking visuals; it isn't the mesmerizing score by Hans Zimmer; it isn't the stellar fight choreography; it isn't even the Javier Bardem's Stilgar (though he probably was my favorite character). Instead, it was Austin Butler's bone-chilling performance as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the na-Baron. When I'd initially heard that he was going to be playing this prolifically psychotic character, I was a little skeptical whether or not he'd be able to pull it off, but as he became increasingly present in new trailers that released, I became increasingly confident of his portrayal of the young na-Baron. However, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer terror he brought to the character when he was on screen in the real film. From the second he touched the blade on his birthday on Geidi Prime, slit the woman's throat, stabbed the other woman multiple times, and then determined that the tip still wasn't sharp enough, I was terrified of him. In mere seconds, I had gone from appreciating Austin Butler's performance as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, to fearing the real na-Baron himself, as any trace of Butler disappeared from screen. Another aspect of Butler's performance I was incredibly impressed by was how he'd modulated his voice to sound like Stellan Skärsgard's Baron Vladamir Harkonnen, something that increased and decreased on intensity depending on the tension of the scene. For example, in the scene where Dave Bautista's Rabban Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha's brother, is forced to kiss his Feyd-Rautha, the new planetary governer's, feet, Butler's voice changes to the deep and hoarse voice of the Baron when commanding his brother. Finally, I'm among the fans who's read the original 1965 Novel, Dune, by Frank Herbert, and even though that book is a true masterpiece of literature, I enjoyed the film more. This is a very rare for me to say, because I am just as much of a book nerd as I am a cinephile, if not more, however, Villeneuve's writing of the latter half of the story was something I much rather preferred. In the original book, after Paul is given the name of Muad'Dib and of Usul, two years pass in which, Alia Atredies, Paul's sister, is born, and Paul and Chani's child, Leto Atreides is born as well. This is a very important part of the book, as Alia, the infant prodigy with the wisdom and memories of generations of Reverend Mothers, is the one who actually kills the Baron with a Gom Jabbar. Additionally, Leto Atreides, Chani and Paul's son, is taken by the Sardaukar, as commanded by the Emperor Shaddam IV, and killed, giving Paul a feeling of deeper revenge. Regardless of the importance of this time jump, I enjoyed Villeneuve's version of the story a lot more because the time jump in the book made me feel abruptly disconnected with the story, and as soon as Alia, the two year old daughter of Lady Jessica, began speaking in full sentences with the wisdom of a respected old woman, my suspension of disbelief fell apart. Besides, I think the Villeneuve version resonated with me a lot more on a number of levels. For example, I thought that Paul killing the Baron was a much better decision than having Aria or someone else kill him; or that the destruction of Siech Tabr and Paul's consumption of the Water of Life was enough for him to plot his revenge on the Harkonnens. So, I think it's pretty self-explanatory that after writing well over 1,000 words on the brilliance of Denis Villeneuve's *Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two*, that this film, just like the first one, deserves a five-star rating, and a spot as my third favorite film of all time. *Long Live the Fighters! * Timothée Chalamet Ranked Denis Ranked Films of 2024 Oscars 2025: Best Picture Nominees Ranked 5/5 **8 June 2024 **chymp