Dune 2 review: A must watch in Cinemas

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Dune 2 Release Date

Denis Villeneuve achieved a remarkable feat in cinema by releasing Dune: Part One during the pandemic in 2021, tackling Frank Herbert’s complex 1965 sci-fi novel that had previously been deemed impossible to adapt. Previous attempts by renowned directors Alejandro Jodorowsky in the 1970s and David Lynch in 1984 had not succeeded, with Lynch’s version in particular not meeting expectations. Villeneuve faced a huge risk, as he was only able to tell half of the story without any promise of completing it. The continuation of the tale hinged on the first part’s success, which would determine whether Warner Bros. would green-light a sequel.

Fortunately, Villeneuve’s bold move was met with both critical acclaim and box-office success. His adaptation stood out for its breathtaking creation of an interstellar universe, thrilling action scenes, and outstanding performances. Villeneuve masterfully navigated Herbert’s complex narrative of intense rivalries among noble houses in a distant future, making the dense mythology accessible and engaging. The film’s powerful sound design and Hans Zimmer’s dynamic score also played a significant role in its immersive experience.

Building upon the success of its predecessor, the second film continues the saga on the desert planet of Arrakis, home to the highly sought-after hallucinogenic ‘spice.’ We return to Timothée Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, who remains hidden with the native Fremen, plotting vengeance against the cruel Harkonnen dynasty responsible for his father, Duke Leto’s death, and the oppression of the Fremen people.

Dune 2— The story continues

Rebecca Ferguson’s character, Lady Jessica, also survives the brutal overthrow by the Harkonnens and remains among the Fremen. As a member of the manipulative Bene Gesserit sisterhood, she works to convince the Fremen that her son, Paul, is the prophesied savior destined to lead a holy war and free them. Stilgar, the Fremen tribal leader played by Javier Bardem, quickly becomes a devout believer in Paul’s destined role, whereas Paul’s love interest, Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, is more skeptical. The dilemma then arises: will Paul embrace this prophesied role for vengeance or renounce it?

Early in the film, we see Paul orchestrating guerrilla attacks with his Fremen allies against the Harkonnen spice operations, mirroring the historical figure T.E. Lawrence’s desert raids during World War One, a source of inspiration for Herbert. This narrative initially hints at a “white savior” storyline, yet both Villeneuve’s adaptation and Chalamet’s portrayal of Paul introduce a layer of moral complexity and ambiguity not typically found in such tales.

The film also delves into the portrayal of religion, showing how Jessica and the Bene Gesserit wield faith as a strategic tool for influence, even as genuine believers are driven to zealotry. This nuanced exploration of belief systems further adds depth to the movie’s thematic richness.

 

Navigating this dense storyline requires much from the audience, yet Denis Villeneuve’s compelling universe construction carries us through. We willingly suspend disbelief for the film’s imaginative elements, from its dragonfly-esque helicopters to characters navigating giant sandworms, and even Timothée Chalamet mastering the peculiar “sand walk,” a desert survival technique.

However, Dune’s gravitas comes with challenges. The sequel primarily focuses on Paul’s internal struggle with his fate and the Bene Gesserit’s secretive maneuvers, which might not instantly captivate. Additionally, the developing romance between Chalamet’s Paul and Zendaya’s Chani struggles to ignite. Nonetheless, Chalamet’s portrayal of Paul evolves impressively from a fragile youth to a figure of increasing resolve.

The story progresses towards a critical showdown between Paul and Baron Harkonnen’s deranged nephew, Feyd-Rautha, memorably played by Austin Butler with a chilling fervor, marking him as a standout addition to the cast.

While Christopher Walken’s Emperor Shaddam may not leave a strong impression, Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Princess Irulan, the emperor’s scheming daughter and another member of the Bene Gesserit, hints at intriguing developments ahead, leaving audiences anticipating more.

The cast of Dune 2

Here are the prominent cast members from the movie.

  • Timothée Chalamet, as Paul Muad’Dib Atreides, is known for Call Me by Your Name, Little Women, and Lady Bird.
  • Zendaya as Chani, known for Euphoria, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and The Greatest Showman.
  • Rebecca Ferguson, as Lady Jessica, is known for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, The Greatest Showman, and Doctor Sleep.
  • Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, known for No Country for Old Men, Avengers: Infinity War, and Sicario.
  • Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, known for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Carrie Diaries, and Elvis.
  • Florence Pugh, as Princess Irulan, was known for Little Women, Midsommar, and Black Widow.
  • Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, known for Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, and Blade Runner 2049.
  • Christopher Walken, as Shaddam IV, is known for Catch Me If You Can, The Deer Hunter, and Hairspray.
  • Léa Seydoux, as Lady Margot Fenring, is known for Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Spectre, and The French Dispatch.
  • Souheila Yacoub, as Shishakli, is known for Climax and The Braves.
  • Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, known for Good Will Hunting, Mamamia, and Thor.
  • Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam, known for 45 Years, The Night Porter, and Swimming Pool.
  • Javier Bardem as Stilgar, known for No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Dune 2— Box office

Dune surpassed every movie released on March 1st and grossed $189,827,621 globally. It collected $89,807,621 from the United States and $100,020,000 internationally.

Dune 2— Release date

The second part of Dune was released in theatres on March 1, 2024. The film has a whopping 9/10 rating on IMDb and has started getting nominations ‘For Golden Trailer Awards.’ It is expected to get nominated for Best Film of the year at Oscars.

Dune 2— Filming Location

The filming of Dune 2 commenced with pre-shooting at the Brion Tomb in Altivole, Italy, in early July 2022, before moving to Budapest, Hungary, for the start of principal photography. The production utilized Arri Alexa LF digital cameras and introduced new locations and sets to ensure visual freshness.

Subsequent filming locations included Abu Dhabi and Namibia, adding diverse backdrops to the movie’s expansive setting. Additional scenes were captured in remote areas of Jordan, showcasing the film’s global production scale. The project wrapped up in December 2022, having navigated through a meticulous and varied filming schedule across multiple countries.

When is Dune 3 releasing?

Villeneuve showed interest in making a third film based on Dune: Messiah, the second novel in the series. However, he also said that he is focusing on quality over an early release date and will make the third part better than the second.

In February 2024, Villeneuve said the script for the third film was almost finished, and he would be taking additional time to review it. The music director, Hans Zimmer, confirmed he is writing music for a third film. A TV spin-off series ‘Denu: Prophecy’ is also in talk.

When is Dune 2 coming to Netflix?

Dune 2 will definitely be released on Netflix, but later in 2024. As per our analysis, the movie will get a Netflix release date after completing three or more months in theaters, making it at least June 2024. Dune Part 1 is although available on Netflix in Australia and the UK.

Written by Mickel Clark

Mickel is a streaming aficionado who loves nothing more than to pen down his thoughts about the movies, anime and TV shows he has watched and likes sharing hacks on how to stream them online.