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Rejoice. The winter of our discontent with such movies as “Argylle” and “Madame Web” is made glorious by the sun of “Dune: Part Two.” Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up to his somewhat less satisfying “Dune: Part One” (2021) is spectacle of the highest order, even if the source is a somewhat silly, if also classic 1965 science-fiction novel by Frank Herbert. Like its predecessor, also shot by Oscar winner Greig Fraser, you not only see the immensity of “Dune: Part Two,” you also want to wear it for Halloween. Plus, there are giant worms that you can ride.
Timothee Chalamet, who is still on screens as a bland Willy Wonka, is better this time, although he and Austin Butler of “Elvis,” playing Harkonnen “psychopath” Feyd-Rautha (in a bald cap in a role played by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 version) are upstaged by their elders: Javier Bardem as devout Fremen lead fighter Stilgar, and Stellan Skarsgard as the vile Jabba the Hutt-like Baron Harkonnen.
The 1965 novel and the films derived from it are basically “Lawrence of Arabia” transported to Outer Space. Paul Atreides, (Chalamet) a pale-faced royal from the House of Atreides of the watery planet Caladan, is also the “Chosen One” of the tribal people the Fremen of desert planet Arrakis. Also in the mix are the mysterious women of the witch-like sect the Bene Gesserit, including Paul’s mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), who carries Paul’s unborn sister and has conversations with her.
The Fremen fight against the outsiders over a thing called spice, a drug that the Empire needs for space travel. “Dune” is not so much science-fiction as it is space opera crossed with Shakespeare’s history plays with their plotting, skullduggery, titles, blood lust, costumes and wigs.
“Dune” also shares a lot of tropes with that other space opera “Star Wars,” something made laughable when Dave Bautista’s – ahem – Beast Rabban goes all Darth Vader on an underling. But the chief “Star Wars” connection is between Paul Atreides aka Muad’Dib and Luke Skywalker. They are both high-born heroes in hiding, who become the leaders of outgunned rebel forces. Luke has “the Force;” Paul has “the Voice” which sounds like a nun I once had in grade school. The idea that Paul is a “white savior” to the swarthy Fremen is addressed again in “Dune: Part Two.” Even his love interest, the Fremen warrior Chani (Zendaya) needs convincing that he is the One. Charlotte Rampling is happily back as scheming Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Mohiam.
The Fremen dress in “stillsuits.” Women’s costumes sometimes suggest both bondage attire and burqas. Preening Feyd has the damnable habit of stabbing ladies-in-waiting. Battle scenes are a high point. But “Lord of the Rings” auteur Peter Jackson achieves a more mythic effect with his nightmarish parade of orcs, oliphants and trolls. CGI is rampant in “Dune 2.” Florence Pugh looks perfectly natural in her outlandish costumes as Princess Irulan. Christopher Walken brings a “King of New York” swagger to the Emperor. Josh Brolin is back as Paul’s beloved instructor Gurney Halleck. Herbert has a weird way with names. I believe Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has added a fire engine to the horn section. Super-charismatic Bardem steals every scene he’s in. Kwisatz Haderach? Gesundheit. Ride this worm. “Dune Messiah” is next.
(“Dune: Part Two” contains violence, suggestive material and profanity)
“Dune: Part Two”
Rated PG-13. At the AMC Boston Common, AMC South Bay, AMC Causeway and suburban theaters.
Grade: A-
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