The Dune franchise returned to the cultural spotlight over the last month with the release of the second movie in the adaptation by Denis Villeneuve on March 1. In its opening weekend it made $182 million and has made $630 million as of April 13.
Denis was previously known for his movies”Blade Runner 2049″ and “Arrival” before releasing the first “Dune” movie, which exploded his popularity.
The movies are an adaptation of the novel by Frank Herbert, which was released in 1965. The book became one of the most famous science fiction stories ever told and remains one of the most influential books in the genre.
“Dune” is set in a futuristic world of warring households trying to fight for power and resources on the desert planet of Arrakis. It follows the story of Paul Atreides, son of Duke Leto, and his journey of bringing the Fremen of Arrakis to fight against an enemy family.
This albeit simple plot contains themes that have only become more relevant with time, from environmentalism and ecology to the dangers of charismatic messiah figures gaining power.
“Dune: Part Two” picks up directly from where the previous film left off, with both movies encompassing the first book of the series. The initial installment, released in 2021, garnered affection from fans but faced criticism for its slow pacing and lack of action. However, the sequel significantly improves upon these aspects, maintaining a consistently engaging pace throughout the entire film.
With his breathtaking cinematography, Denis Villeneuve has brought the wild imagination of Frank Herbert to life. From the massive scale of the mile-long sandworms to the serene moments of Paul Atreides looking out over a barren yet beautiful desert, every frame captivates the eye.
The beauty of the film goes beyond just the visuals and extends into the wonderful writing. Paul is a complex character who, in one moment, makes one want to dive right at the screen and follow him and in the next makes one question whether he is merely a monster in search of power.
While “Dune: Part Two” has garnered significant acclaim, no movie is without its flaws, and this movie is no exception. Many watchers have voiced concerns about changes to characters from the original books, particularly Paul’s lover Chani, played by Zendaya. Unlike her unfailing support for Paul’s actions in the books, the film portrays Chani as more questioning of his actions, adding complexity to their dynamic and challenging the perception of Paul as the hero.
Some people see this change as unneeded, believing it tells audiences what to think. Others disagree with this sentiment, thinking it was a good choice for the film. They argue that in adapting a book to film, the internal narration is lost, making the inclusion of a character like Chani essential to effectively convey these complexities on screen.
With the success of the second film, many people have been hoping for the director to adapt the second “Dune” book by Frank Herbert called “Dune Messiah.” A couple of weeks ago, Villeneuve confirmed that he is working on the script for the third installment in the series, thus making it a trilogy. Villeneuve indicated he wanted to complete the character arc of Paul Atredies, and making “Dune Messiah” will provide the perfect conclusion to this character.
Overall, “Dune: Part Two” has shown itself to be one of best science fiction movies of all time and one of the best movies to come to theaters in the last decade. It is a must watch for not only science fiction fans but for all movie enjoyers.
