It’s finally happened. Two and a half years in the waiting and we have finally seen the second instalment of Paul Atreides’ journey on Arrakis. His journey to finding himself, for better or for worse. Denis Villeneuve has greated a representation of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe that sits so well alongside the original book, and critics have resoundingly agreed that the second instalment of this epic story is no less impressive than the first.
Dune: Part Two (2024) gives us Paul stumbling down a path he knows from the start will end in violence and destruction, first with pain and resistance and then with a dark defeatism. There was fear that Timothee Chalamet would not be able to really show the change in Paul’s character that the book describes, but I was impressed to see a darker side of him come out. Paul is beginning to have his good heart chipped away at as he realises that his efforts to save the world from a terrible fate are futile, and that he appears to be destined to be the figurehead of it all.
While I am still gobsmacked at the film for it’s ability to carry us into Arrakis with jaw dropping cinematography and a soundtrack that beats into my heart, if had it my way I would have made these films a trilogy. That is not necessarily a criticism, in fact it is a cry for more. The original book is so full of lore and world-building, intimate character interaction and important development, that I think even a trilogy would struggle to tell the tale in full. There are certain important bits of the original book that seem to so far have been left out of the films, and I wonder how they will bring these back into play in future as they are vital to where the story goes.
Having said that, I know there is no guarantee of any future content from the Dune team, although thankfully there are rumours that Dune: Messiah is in the making (phew). I sincerely hope they will continue to tell this story - it is no secret that the Dune story is one that sits in my heart and makes me feel full. I do, however, understand that just like Denis making the first film with no guarantee of a second, there is no guarantee that the second books in Herbert’s original trilogy will get their time on the big screen. I really hope they do.
Despite being a little upset that parts of the original story have been omitted, I also put my hands up and say that I don’t know how the filmmakers could possible have fit any more than they already did into Dune: Part Two without making it a trilogy of films on its own. I can see why they wouldn’t do that because to make the first book a trilogy itself hypothetically sets up the franchise to be three trilogies to tell the story of the three books. Now that’s a lot of films, and arguably would be a self destructive project for a filmmaker to undertake knowing that people expect sequels to get worse each time. I don’t think this sequel was worse though, I must say. I almost wish I didn't already know the story so that this film was my first discovery of 'what happens next' because I really think my jaw would hit the floor just like it did when I read the books.
There are lots of things I want to go into detail about in future in regards to Dune: Part Two, but for now I won’t give you any spoilers because I realise lots of people don’t yet know the full story and will be excited to see what happens next. If you haven’t seen the first film yet, I highly recommend you do so before attempting Dune: Part Two or you will be very confused. Whether you know the story or not, I guarantee it will draw you in and leave you desperate for more. I am absolutely chuffed and completely unsurprised that, once again, Denis Villeneuve has successfully achieved one of the best science-fiction cinematic experiences I have ever witnessed.
In my next posts, I want to dig into some of the nitty gritty details of Dune: Part Two in comparison with the first film, but also in context of the literary mammoth from which they originate. But the real takeaway from this is that this film is incredible, and the two films together are simply a masterpiece of cinema and storytelling that is so respectful of the original story. I can say with my whole chest that I think Frank Herbert would have been so proud to see his masterpiece brought to the screen in the way it has been.
Until next time,
Alice
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