It is here, it is here, it is here and I couldn’t be more excited. Finally, I’m able to subject my eyes on the epic Dune 2. I haven’t witnessed anything of this epic proportion since I left theatres after watching Dune: Part One. For the last three years, I’ve been waiting to witness the extravagant saga continue, especially because I’m a huge fan of Frank Herbert’s original book. I watched the Denis Villeneuve directorial and came out with goosebumps. However, as an aspiring filmmaker and cinephile I can’t just overlook the issues I found with the film.
Dune 2 Review – Part One Was Better!
HOC Rating – ★★★★★
As I write this, I’m aware that Dune 2 has an IMDb score of 9/10 and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 94% (Audience score – 95%). However, I’m here to point out all the things that felt off to me in the sequel:
- Rushed: One of the things that I felt immediately felt was the plot escalation in the sequel. At first, this pleased me, however, in the second half of the film I was thoroughly underwhelmed because I felt like Paul’s journey was compromised. We all knew that Paul will become the Kwisatz Haderach at one point but when he does, it doesn’t feel earned, it is something that we just accept. In the second half, I honestly felt Villeneuve was simply ticking off plot points rather than flowing narrative like the first one. The first film took so much time with all the characters and plot, which is why it stood out to me. A $170 million sci-fi epic from a big studio but is preserves narrative over generics? I was impressed.
- Villains: Let me just get this out. Dune 2 has no villain, just characters that pose the threat of becoming one. Stellan Skarsgård’s Baron is rarely shown and explored in the film and the much awaited Feyd-Rautha played by Austin Butler is just a missed opportunity. There is never a villainous presence felt in the film. In fact, Paul always seems more powerful than everyone else. The power divide that was established by Dune: Part One is completely ignored. Even the Emperor’s Sardaukar has no power over him. Honestly, the only villain in the film is Paul and what he could become, however, that’s not explored enough for us to consider that way.
- Ensemble: Dune 2 boasts one of the best ensemble casts since Oppenheimer. However, I have to admit except Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson, no one has been used enough. In fact, actors like Austin Butler, Stellan Skarsgård and Christopher Walken have been wasted in my opinion. Javier Bardem plays the most caricaturish character he has ever played. Timothée Chalamet for the first time in his career felt uneven to me. Trust me, he cannot pull off yelling , he is just not that kind of actor. Whenever, he yells I feel he is out of character.
Verdict
Again, if you’re reading this you already know how good the film is. Every critic in the world has said all the million things the film has gotten right. Villeneuve has certainly done the unimaginable as he has captured the unfilmable Dune novel on camera. However, just because there is positive response to a film doesn’t mean we can’t point out the negatives.
If you have more points to add about Dune 2 then please comment down below. That being said, I rate Dune 2: 4 out of 5 stars. Although, this was the only film of the year that was capable of 5 out of 5 stars. I’m disappointed but I have to admit I’ll willingly watch the film ten times more in theatres. It is a pleasure to all your senses. I just hope we get Dune 3 sooner rather than later.
Dune 2 adds even more faces into the fold, including Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken as Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot and Anya Taylor Joy as Alia Atreides. Dune: Part One is available for streaming on HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video depending on the region where you live.
Witness the spectacle of Dune: Part Two in theatres near you.
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