Dune: Part Two: A Sequel that supasses the first movie in every way

Denis Villeneuve’s second movie adapting Frank Herbert’s legendary novel “Dune” exceeds the first movie, with its overwhelming visual beauty and spectacle. Villeneuve proves, with “Dune: Part Two,” why he is one of the best big directors working in Hollywood right now. With the success of his previous film, Villeneuve continues to improve and raise expectations for the final film in this Dune trilogy. “Dune: Part Two” is a better version of “Dune,” released back in 2021. From story to cinematography “Dune: Part Two” exceeds in every aspect except maybe its freshness as the first film introduced the world of Dune to audiences for the first time.

Unlike most people, I was not one of the biggest fans of the first “Dune” as I thought the movie, although it succeeded in production, lacked in its story. However, I still had high expectations due to my trust in Villeneuve but also because of a trend where the second installments of a trilogy are usually the best one out of the three. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” “The Empire Strikes Back,” “The Dark Knight,” and “Before Sunset” are all the second installments in a trilogy and are considered by many to be the best film in their respective trilogies. The second installment tends to allow the most creative freedom as the first and third movies require the creator to introduce and conclude the series. Therefore, my expectations were high and surprisingly surpassed when I saw “Dune: Part Two.”

“Dune: Part Two” picks up right after the first film where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) join the Fremen community after the fall of House Atreides by the hand of the Harkonnens. Paul aims to seek revenge against the Harkonnens who destroyed his family and rises the ranks among the Fremen by constantly proving himself to them. Paul deepens his relationship with a female Fremen named Chani (Zendaya) during his time within the Fremen community and grapples with the burden of prophecy about becoming a messianic figure. Villeneuve’s sequel further expands and develops on themes from the first film, delivering a breathtaking cinematic experience.

Probably the strongest aspect of “Dune: Part Two” is its production. Villeneuve succeeds in persuading the audience to think that the world of Dune is an actual real place. The world in “Dune: Part Two” seems like a visual art piece made by an artist using sand as its hyle. This is done through Villeneuve’s masterful usage of sand as a background for the movie. Sand is usually monotonous and people do not put much value in its artistic beauty on screen. However, Villeneuve utilizes sand’s multiple characteristics to emphasize and heighten scenes throughout the movie. Villeneuve depicts multiple colors of sand from orange to silver in order for the visuals to match the tone of the scenes Villeneuve wishes to portray. In the movie the sky is never depicted blue and is almost always a similar color as the sand creating an interesting image for Planet Arrakis. Villeneuve also gives additional creative depth to the planet with the use of wind blowing on the sand and the silhouettes and rides created from the position of the sun. The multiple ways Villeneuve visually depicts scenes help support the emotional impact of the scenes and solidify the realness of Arrakis for the audience.

“Dune: Part Two” also mentions multiple film and historical references that can be interesting to know about. The arena can make people think of the Colosseum and the ongoing war for possession over spices can relate to the struggle over oil during Imperialism. Additionally, the main villains in the movie known as the Harkonnens bring the image of Hitler or the Nazi party. These historical references can be caused because of when Frank Herbert’s novel was released as it came out in 1965 after World War II. The first movie that comes to mind to most people when watching “Dune: Part Two” is usually Star Wars. However, there is one movie I believe to be more similar to Dune that is not Star Wars and that movie is “Lawrence of Arabia.” Both movies are in a desert-like setting, and go down the route where both main characters join a community of a weaker and oppressed group of people, learning their culture and eventually becoming a leader. Usually these types of movies earn criticism as they depict a white man saving a minority group and leading them to success. However this is where I think “Dune: Part Two” is different as the movie never depicts if Paul is a savior for the Fremen people. This further adds depth to the heroic tale in “Dune: Part Two” and emphasizes the film’s attitude of being cautious of a Messiah figure. Knowing and noticing these historical and movie connections in “Dune: Part Two” will help people appreciate the movie more and see it in multiple perspectives.

Overall, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” is a successful great movie that everyone should enjoy. It has everything from stunning visual moments to complex themes that everyone who watches it will have something to grab onto. Anyone who watched the first movie should definitely watch this one and even the people who did not enjoy the first one as much should still watch “Dune: Part Two” as it is an upgrade. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya continue to prove themselves as actors and Villeneuve showcases how much he has grown as a director. “Dune: Part Two” would be great for anyone but especially for people who are looking for a grand cinematic experience.