That once in a generation tale of epic proportions, one where limitless ion and ambition pairs with a budget and crew capable of matching it. Denis Villeneuve dives head first into the world Frank Herbert created and aims to bring it to life in immersive detail. First and foremost, he sees film as a visual format, and thus, that’s how this world is presented to us. There’s very few long exposition dumps; if he can present this information to the audience without dialogue, he will. It’s the type of film where I don’t even realize a cool shot happened because every shot is just that breathtaking. I can think of no other style of filmmaking as fit for portraying a universe so foreign from our own. What better way to have an audience be acquainted with a place so alien than immersing them in it straight away and treating this world as the status quo? And perfectly complimenting that otherworldly feeling is Hans Zimmer’s ethereal score. The music is suitably grandiose and manages to feel as if it sprang from the Dune universe itself.

Of course, one might be tempted to label the Dune franchise as “this generation’s Star Wars” (I myself called it the next Lord of the Rings in the past). And while some comparisons between these franchises’ ambitions and cultural impacts are apt, Dune is so antithetical to the themes and story of more traditional sci-fi and fantasy. This is a morally gray universe first and foremost. The Harkonenns are presented as the evil Empire, with Paul Atredies rallying his rebel forces as the Luke Skywalker set to stop them. But Dune: Part Two is a corruption narrative. Paul is not really a prophesied savior; he was put on a pedestal by a grand design meant to inspire false hope in the Fremin so that they were more easily controlled. He is just a pawn in the Bene Gesserit’s game, and since the start he has known this. While his original intention may have been to help the Fremin reclaim their planet, the deeper he dives into this conflict the more he accepts his self fulfilling prophecy and seeks even greater power. In any other film, the moment where Paul embraces the role given to him would be triumphant and climactic. And while this moment in Part Two can feel that way while watching, it is permeated by a very somber undertone. Once Paul undergoes his transformation into the Lisan al Gaib, there is no going back as he continues to use the Fremin to fight his war.

While I was at first a bit unsure whether or not Timothée Chalamet could truly carry this franchise with his performance, Part Two proves that he is more than up to the task. He perfectly embodies Paul’s slow but steady metamorphosis into his savior role, as you can see him sacrifice more of his ideals as the film goes on. And much like with the visuals, these thoughts and emotions aren’t always conveyed by dialogue, but through his performance. I was also surprised to learn that Chani’s role in the book was smaller and more subservient than it was in the movie, because she comes off as so integral to the proceedings here. She is the heart of this film, whether it’s her cynicism towards the prophecy or her love for Paul slowly fading as he reveals who he truly is to everyone. Zendaya is stellar in this role, and in fact, everyone across the board brings a fantastic performance to the table. I do also want to highlight Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, who has to portray an even more cynical and immediate downfall than Paul does, for which she does a fantastic job. While her son stays morally gray and even good throughout most of the runtime, she is downright evil here, and she perfectly portrays the manipulation required for their grandplan. While the visuals are what you come to see this franchise for, it’s cast that really elevates to another level.

Dune: Part Two not only stands as one of the best sequels ever made, but also one of the very best films that the science fiction genre has to offer. At any point, the film might have collapsed under the weight of its own grandiose scale, but the filmmakers were clear in their vision, with the rest of the cast and crew being able to perfectly execute it. It’s a film so impressive and revolutionary that it’s almost awe-inspiring that I really got to be here to witness it in person, because in some respects, it feels like a classic film of yesteryear that all new films aspire to be. But maybe it's for the best that we had to wait so long to get the proper Dune adaptation, because I can’t imagine it being brought to life by any other filmmaker than Denis Villeneuve.

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