“Long live the fighters.”

The sequel to 2021’s standout sci-fi extravaganza. Dune: Part Two sees Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) unite with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavours to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Expectations going into this were absolutely monumental, not only from a director (Villeneuve arguably has the best streak of any filmmaker this past decade - let’s say from Enemy/Prisoners, as I have yet to see Incendies) and cast perspective, but significantly due to the social media buzz and critical reception hailing it as one of the greatest pieces of science fiction to grace the silver screen. In all honesty, these aforementioned reactions aren’t wrong.

Firstly, before the review, I just want to say that it was great to attend an opening day release that genuinely felt like an event (not since Barbenheimer have I felt a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for what was about to be projected - this particular feature being in glorious 15/70mm IMAX) and not a phone in sight!  

Part One laid the groundwork effectively to introduce an entirely new generation to Frank Herbert’s layered sci-fi epic (I still need to read the novel(s) and watch Lynch’s 80’s adaptation) and balanced an intelligent, slow burn approach to its narrative alongside blockbuster spectacle. Part Two amplifies both of these aspects and increases the stakes and expansion of the world to monumentally high levels. Cruising along its colossal 2hr 46 minute duration with ease.

Where Part One felt a little stilted and jumpy in its structure, here the sequel relaxes into its scope and scale with devotions of time spent on: Paul’s growing presence and influence over the Fremen, his relationship with Chani, the creepy and intense arc of Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), the paranoia of the Irulan’s and the introduction of the the ruthless, insane and sociopathic Feynman-Rayth (Austi). Obviously, some threads will be sewn into the inevitable Part Three, however these strands don’t take away from the substantially lore heavy and thoroughly dramatic satisfying stories for our characters that are on display here. 

Grandiose and epic don’t do the film’s visual’s justice. Villeneuve, cinematographer Greig Fraser and all of those involved in the various practical and digital visual effects teams have crafted a consistently stunning, hostile and entirely unique palette that features many a jaw-dropping, spine-tingling and grin-inducing shot. The set pieces are frequently colossal, large scale thrill rides: from Paul’s Sandworm riding initiation, the terrifying Harkonnen gladiator arena (stunningly represented in black and white) and the entire finale explosive sequence. Simply put: you have to see this on the biggest screen possible.

Chalamet’s performance is a powerful and commanding one. Paul’s growing influence over the Fremen, his own gravitation to his messianic claims and the looming violent drive that grips him is conveyed with force. His chemistry with Zendaya is genuine and the romantic scenes sift through the sands gracefully, before being strained as Paul’s personality warps. Zendaya’s subdued, piercing, steely and magnetic presence throughout the film’s second half speaks volumes. Austin Butler is clearly relishing his time as the unhinged, unpredictable and snake like Feynman-Rayth, with his croaky, raspy slimeball vocals cutting like a knife. Rebecca Ferguson’s haunting, spacey and warped character journey allows her to dip her toes back into her Rose the Hat role from 2019’s Doctor Sleep and returning players: Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård and Charlotte Rampling all deliver as expected. Lastly, whilst their screen time may be minimal, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken certainly leave an impression.

Dune: Part Two is a monster of a sci-fi epic that s the ranks of The Dark Knight, Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 2: Judgment Day & Spider-Man 2, as one of the greatest sequels of all time. Transcending the already excellent first film, by continuing to bolster the world building, ramping up the stakes, carving out engaging character arcs and delivering eye-popping visuals and tense action.