Review | ‘Dune: Part Two’ is presentationally impressive yet experientially hollow

Contrary to popular opinion, Denis Villeneuve’s science-fiction epic left me wandering the desert for the awe-inducing feeling the franchise’s first half provided. Photo collage by JACK SUNDBLAD, Staff Photographer

Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two.”  

Two years after riding a sandworm into Chapman’s Folino theater, the second half of Denis Villeneuve's duology, “Dune: Part Two,” has arrived. With it comes the continued story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) — one that is filled with much more action and a faster pace than its predecessor. While enjoyable, one of the major reasons that “Dune: Part Two” ranks lower than its preceding entry is because it jumps from a slow, methodical world to one so heavy with lore that the films feel dissonant when put together. 

Often considered a story unadaptable to the medium of film, the story of “Dune” — originated in a 1965 novel by Frank Herbert — is incredibly expansive. At least three separate stories comprise “Dune: Part Two,” and while none of them are ill-executed, this film sometimes feels entirely different than the first film, straying from what we’ve come to know and expect from the franchise. 

In the direct aftermath of 2021’s “Dune,” House Harkonnen has re-taken control of the desert planet Arrakis, having ambushed and seemingly killed every member of the governing House Atreides. Production of Arrakis’ spice, a substance known for its use by this galaxy’s governing bodies, is being overseen by Rabban (Dave Bautista) for Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). 

Far away from Arrakis, the Emperor of this universe, Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) is told of the Harkonnens’ actions and the annihilation of the Atreides — a plot that he knew about and helped execute. As the film progresses, the Emperor learns of a growing figure of authority on Arrakis, rallying its native people, the Fremen. 

Unbeknownst to the Harkonnens, though, Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) fled into the desert and were taken in by a group of Fremen, who await a messiah to lead them and turn Arrakis into a lush paradise. Paul and Jessica slowly manipulate the Fremen into believing that Paul is their leader. As Paul begins to fit the descriptions of a prophecy more and more, his rise to revolutionary leader is anything but inspirational. As “Dune: Part One” hinted at, Paul being in power is one of the worst outcomes this world may face. 

What I unhealthily adored about Villeneuve’s first installment was Paul’s prescience and the indications of horrors to come — especially considering that no one in the 2021 film, least of all Paul, understands such atrocities. The film constantly left you questioning what such visions meant, and the visual presentation of those moments left my jaw on the floor of Dodge College’s Folino Theater. What “Dune: Part Two” often misses are those visions. Instead, the film shows us some of the envisioned events in real-time, which don’t live up to the magnitude of those in Paul’s head. 

Whereas the first half of the duology took its time in introducing characters, worlds, relationships and bolstered a plot throughout it all, “Dune: Part Two” elaborates even more heavily on this universe’s lore and the major players involved in it. Two of those players — and new additions to the cast — are Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. 

Both of the aforementioned stars are stand-outs.

 Butler, as the violent, sadistic na-Baron, is as close as an actor can get to being called “unrecognizable.” His voice is raspy and guttural, completely contrasting with his normal voice that many believe has carried over from his role as the king of Rock n’ Roll in Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.” He is perhaps the single element of the film that stays with you the most after viewing. 

Pugh as Irulan, the Emperor’s daughter, is possibly the most serious character in a film of serious characters which makes her storyline all the more interesting. Her plot — uncovering Paul’s rise in status among the Fremen — pulled me in the most. 

Getting expanded roles from the first half are Zendaya as Chani, a Fremen fighter and Paul’s eventual lover, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar, a Fremen chief who believes in Paul as the messiah. Having the Fremen’s world be expanded — and showing the work that Jessica must do to rally them behind Paul — makes this cinematic portrayal of Herbert’s world feel thorough and elaborate. Another standout element is a sequence of Paul mastering how to ride a sandworm. The sequence is long, impressively staged and thoroughly showcased. 

Villeneuve’s love and care for this world is constantly on display. Characters from Herbert’s novel are expanded upon and somewhat changed, and the entire cinematic world of “Dune” feels like quite possibly the most detailed science fiction world put to film. While I lost that awe-inducing feeling, I did feel pulled into the world of Arrakis and the politics of the “Dune” universe. Just like Butler’s character, “Dune: Part Two,” regardless of your opinion of it, stays with you. The sheer grandeur of the story feels extremely substantial. 

While “Dune: Part Two” is undoubtedly impressive, its change in content didn’t draw me in like its first half. To me, watching the dust clouds amass on the horizon was much more interesting than being caught in the sandstorm.