DUNE: PART 2 PROVES THAT SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES CAN HAVE ACTION AND BE SMART

When science fiction movies are mentioned folks thoughts quickly go to spaceships and laser guns. Movies like Star Wars, Star Trek, Robocop, and Terminator are going to be the top mentions if you asked someone for a list of movies they could name. Fantasy movies like the Lord Of The Rings also fall in this category with swords and magic replacing the usual weapons of space sagas. While Star Wars and the like were well made movies that people love they didn’t get a lot of Oscar consideration because critics don’t consider them that level of art. When the Lord Of The Rings original trilogy came along people felt like they finally had movies that were good enough to earn the highest award in cinema. The expectation was finally met when the final film, The Return Of The King won best picture. It was well deserved and most take it as a win for all three films and their storytelling. Back in the 1980s with the success of Star Wars Hollywood was trying to make “the next Star Wars” constantly with a myriad of disasters that you’ve barely or never heard of. In 1984 Dune was released and was very artfully done that seemed like a mix of Star Wars and 2001. It had action and a story similar to other sci-fi movies, but it was quieter (literally there is a lot of whispering) and would crescendo at times of action or excitement. It was a disaster at the box office. Viewers didn’t get it and it was boring and tried to squeeze too much into one movie and sequels were quickly abandoned. Fast forward to 2021 and a new version emerges and is a huge hit. Now it’s sequel Dune: Part 2 is ruling the box office.

In this sequel we see Paul Atredes played by Timothy Chalamet hiding amongst the sand dwelling people known as the Fremen after his family and all that served them are destroyed. Fremen Spilgar – Javier Bardem thinks that Paul is a messiah his people have been waiting for since all of the prophecies are coming true. Paul’s love interest is Chani played by Zendaya who is skeptical about him being the savior of her people. Throughout the film the viewer will also be questioning the validity of this possibility. As Paul tries to be a leader his mother, Jessica played by Rebecca Ferguson becomes a holy leader that is using her influence to further Paul’s ascension. Paul continues to learn the ways of the Fremen and how to live on the planet Arrakis. While all this is happening, Christopher Walken as the Emperor is moving pieces across the galaxy to balance power amongst the ruling Houses of the kingdom. He uses the House Harkonnen as his scythe cutting down those that need to be removed so he can keep in all the house’s favor.

Dune: Part 2 is truly a great combination of action and dialogue scenes. While the discussions can sometimes be a bit slow they are important in moving the story forward and setting up future moments. The scenes where characters discuss their and others positions and strategies are as important as watching similar scenes in a political thriller. They make sure that the “why” is just as important as the “how” so that when they take action you know exactly what their motivation is. Making Paul the messiah to these people is not easily or quickly done as is the case with most films. It takes time, and even those that would normally be quickly swayed have their doubts. Even Paul does. When the movie takes you back to an action scene you feel rewarded and not simply placated for sitting through the “boring” parts because the action scenes can have just as much depth as the dialogue scenes. The action is worth the wait. Whether it’s riding giant sand worms across the desert or facing off against enemy forces you get plenty of fighting action and sci-fi adventures. The acting throughout is wonderful! The entire cast is name after name of known commodities. While you get what you expect from Bardem and Chalamet and Dave Bautista as Beast Rabban, an evil character bent on destroying the Fremen you get even more from other actors. Zendaya plays Chani as tough and calculating in her allegiance to Paul and her people. She keeps you guessing as to whether she believes Paul is the savior even though she loves him. One of the best performances is given by Austin Butler, who you know as Elvis from the movie a few years ago. He plays a psychotic warrior name Feyd-Rautha and is almost as unrecognizable as he was a dead ringer for The King Of Rock N Roll. His stare and movements on the screen as well as his penchant for killing are chilling. Dune: Part 2 is an equal partner to the first movie and doesn’t necessarily come off as better or worse as some sequels tend to do. It simply, and effectively keeps the story going without too much exposition or just nonstop action. There is balance. This remake is better than the original 1984 version maybe only because they didn’t try to stuff everything into one movie. I saw Dune 2 in the theater and that is going to be your best experience with this movie in my opinion. Seeing a giant sand worm charging or emerging from the sands is much more powerful on the big screen and with a booming sound system. Get out and see it before it leaves theaters and get ready for part three to finalize what has already been a smart and well thought out science fiction movie proving that you can have both smart and fun in your science fiction films.