By: Kavodi Kulunumini
Dune is originally the beloved book series by Frank Herbert written in 1965 and one of the best-selling novel series up to date. Over the course of time it was adapted into many different variations to explore the world that Herbert has built and the most recent adaptation is at the hands of the well-known director and Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve who has received multiple Academy Award nominations and a four time recipient of Genie Award in Canada.
This novel adaptation of Dune was first released in 2021 with the association of Legendary Pictures and is a screenplay by John Spaihts; Eric Roth and Villeneuve himself. It is associated with Warner Bros. Pictures and is consisted of the brilliant music score by the hands of Academy Award Winning composer Hans Zimmer.
The production is massive with a cost of 165 million US Dollars as it portrays an alternate world; a world in the fantastical future. This massive set of the unknown universe was led by the amazing young talent Timothee Chalamet who rose to prominence with his indie film ‘Call me by your Name’ and is the recipient of many accolades including nomination for an Academy Award; 3 Golden Globe Awards; 3 BAFTAs; 5 Screen Actors’ Guild Awards and 5 Critics Choice Awards cementing his status as a leading actor in Hollywood.
He is supported by the brilliantly talented cast of Rebecca Ferguson; Oscar Isaac; Josh Brolin; Stellan Skarsgard; Dave Bautista; Stephen M. Henderson; Zendaya; Chang Chen; Sharon Duncan-Brewster; Charlotte Rampling; Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem all high profile actors with many honors to their names.
The plot of the movie was that the House of Atreides in the mythical Planet of Caladan are forced to the planet of Arrakis by the jealous governor of the universe Emperor Shaddam IV as a means to get rid of them and their rising power and popularity amongst people by secretly employing the House of Harkonnen another noble house in charge of a planet and had been previously in charge of Arrakis to get rid of the Atreides blood line. But the catch was this. This Arrakis almost has inhospitable environment and danger lurking around. Shaped like a desert. But is the ultimate possessor of mélange ‘Spice’ used in universal transportation. And the natural inhibitors of Arrakis call themselves the ‘Fremen’ and are waiting on their prophesied savior.
All the while the plot thickens with the involvement of Bene Gesserit an exclusive sisterhood trained to access enhanced mind capabilities which provide them ammunition to manipulate people according to their wishes using ‘The Voice’ and other mental and physical capabilities. They are employing their best members in creating the perfect super human – the prophesied man of the Fremen- a part of their centuries’ long breeding program interfusing one noble blood line with another to create a Bene Gesserit and messianic with the clairvoyance necessary to guide humanity to a better future called Kwisatz Haderach. And the protagonists’ mother Lady Jessica an acolyte from the same sisterhood disobeys a direct order from the Bene Gesserit and bears a son for his father which she wasn’t supposed to and then trains him on their ways in the hope of Paul becoming the Kwisatz Haderach. In his path to be a Messiah Lady Jessica remains an avid supporter throughout the story.
The story at large deals with the danger of faith and the power it holds as religious figures’ influence grows by the minute. Although Paul initially refuses any participation his path to being their Kwisatz Haderach depends on the fear and power and jealousy among the nobility; all those weaknesses paving way to a blind faith.
The first part of Dune released in 2021 deals with the first part of the story where the House of Atreides burns down and Lady Jessica and Paul narrowly escape the catastrophe and become one with Fremen. The audience is also introduced to Chani the prophesied lover of the Kwisatz Haderach who will complete his journey of being their savior.
The first movie became such a sensational hit among the public and crated a name as one of the best science fiction as well as book-to-screen science fiction of all time. It was received so well by the audience as well as was rich in its cinematography that it was nominated for 11 Academy Awards eventually taking 6 of them home from the major categories of Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer; Best Sound; Best Film Editing; Best Cinematography; Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects. It was also nominated for three Golden Globes winning one and eleven BAFTAs and winning five and ten Critics’ Choice Awards winning three.
It also made such a huge profit in reception by making a home run of 434.8million in US dollars. And the cast did a truly spectacular job in bringing forth the fantasy world of Arrakis and though young Chalamet strongly established himself a leading actor by leading this massive production. Out of all actors though Ferguson and Bardem made the most prominent impact in a personal level with such subtle; in depth acting.
Considering all this the hype for Dune sequel was immeasurable especially given how the new members of the cast also held such a high profile as actors. The legendary Christopher Walken; Academy Award winner Austin Butler and Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh who has also previously being a sensational hit alongside Chalemet in Little Women (2019) by Greta Gerwig as Amy March and Theodore Laurence- the excitement was very well justified even by a personal standard.
Now that the hype is overflowing for Dune part two it can be summarized as a much anticipated film of the year and the crew of Dune did not disappoint.
It was released this month (March 2024) and follows Pauls’ tale from the moment the first movie dropped until his emergence as a messianic figure of the Fremen and eventually marrying into the Emeprors’ (Walken) Corrino family by marrying Princess Irulan (Pugh). It turned out to be a global success grossing over 512 million in US dollars in Box Office with a budget of 190 million US dollars.
The second movie was definitely fantastic and is a worth esperience. The stunning visual effects and Cinematography aside the brilliant capturing at each urn reminds the audience of the dark narrative it unfolds and all the talents associated was brilliant. There was never a dull moment but it also depended heavily on the knowledge of the books and the first film thus is definitely not a stand alone.
Zendaya portraying Chani was specifically stunning with her almost no effort acting which delivered such a muanced performance and Ferguson as always was possessed by the spirit of Lady Jessica. She delivered such a dark fantastical perspective that had the audience wiggling at the edge of their seats. And the new members of the cast especially Butler was terrifying perfect as the psychotic Feyd- Rautha that got the audience in a chilling chokehold and Pugh and Walken also delivered their roles stunningly. Most of all it showed Cahlamets own growth as an actor fresh off of leading Wonka (2024) to this deeply dark fantasy. He managed to convey a sole crushing performance on the part of Paul that should certainly be appreciated.
All in all the sounds; the effects and most importantly the hauntingly mystical music was a blast to witness as an audience member. The movie had me on the edge of my seat all the time and it is a must-watch recommendation.
Although P.S. it will be much more majestic to enjoy in a theatre so do give it a shot.
