Review:'Dune: Part Two' is a momentous feat in filmmaking that offers a visual extravaganza with depth as well

Dune: Part Two Review

"I'm no messiah," says Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) way early in Dune: Part Two but you know that is not going to be the case obviously. It almost felt like a huge disservice that Dune: Part One did not quite achieve the mammoth box office potential it was capable of owing to a simultaneous release in the theaters and on streaming back in 2021. 

However, almost three years later, the storyline, the stakes and everything is as high as it can be as director Denis Villeneuve presents a jaw-dropping, gargantuan spectacle that continues an origin story for Paul, this time as he fits in with the Fremen, learns to ride in the sandworms and fights through to become the messiah as per the prophecy. Having had the chance to see the film beforehand, as it releases in India on March 1st, here's what I thought about it-

An Extension of Incredible Build-Up

It's fascinating how some filmmakers operate and visualize and then, somehow, execute this grand vision to the T. What worked and acted like a slow burn with moments of brilliance in Dune: Part One, director Denis Villeneuve outdoes himself with a grander, more complex visual extravaganza in the form of Dune: Part Two. It is meatier because you have now already invested enough in the characters and immediately has a callback value as well. The screenplay of Dune: Part Two, once again, doesn't rush itself to be accelerating into action set pieces and big moments. It takes its sweet time to establish the story progression one scene after the other. To see Paul Atreides become Paul MuaD'dib Usul feels such a satisfying development of an origin story that has meaning, depth and emotions. 

Old Returns & New Entrants

To see Zendaya's Chani get actual presence in Part Two is also a treat and her love saga with Paul becomes one of the central points to follow. The returns from Part One were as fun as you would expected them to be but the new additions are fabulous as well. Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken and Florence Pugh as the emperor and his daughter, Léa Seydoux, and briefly, Anya Taylor-Joy are worthy additions to this world that isn't ending anytime soon.

A Cinematic Experience

To the more commercial-lovers out there, Dune: Part Two will feel like the enormous saga that it promises to be only in the second-half. The mind-bending action pieces, stupefying scale, and the unbelievable effort that has gone into costume, makeup and unparalleled world-building only gets 'alive' in the second half and in the pre-climax sequence. And while that's totally okay, it doesn't do justice to the rather effective first half as well where even though, it is a build-up once again but still has several moments of madness that you anticipate it to have. 

Technical Excellence

Now, we state the obvious but it needs to be done as the sheer excellence that the film's technical team has achieved cannot be appreciated enough. The detailing, creation of a futuristic sci-fi world, VFX, cinematography, production design and aforementioned costume and makeup is impeccable and probably amongst the best you'll witness in a long time. Then of course, this is aided by the legendary Hans Zimmer's stellar music and background score - it is a recipe for cinematic brilliance.

The Verdict

It cannot be discounted that the film does have a few lapses and wondering story arcs that don't entirely feel justified but that doesn't take away from the excellent feat that the entire team on-screen and off-screen has achieved. It can also be said that actor Timothee Chalamet has officially entered the big leagues and that too of being a dependable adult actor. What a fabulous few months he has produced for Warner Bros now and that too in polar opposite characters - Willy Wonka in Wonka and Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two. This film is the kind of cinematic experience that needs to be soaked in on the biggest screen possible with the best sound and immersive aspect viewing.

Rating - **** (4/5)