The battle to control the spice continues, as the House of Harkonnen searches out to destroy anyone that belongs to the House of Atreides and to exterminate all of the Fremen left on the planet of Arrakis. Things are heating up for an ultimate battle that will finally expose the true evil behind who has made this push to truly dominate the spice trade and eliminate any other competition. A leader needs to be found to free the hidden Fremen and reveal the trader who has devised a way to destroy any competition for the spice.
Four planets make up the world of Dune, first with the main one there is Planet Arrakis, the Source of the Spice, land of the Fremen, and the Giant Worms, then comes Planet Caladan, home of the House of Atreides, and next is the Planet Giedi Prime, home of House Harkonnen, and finally you have the Planet Kaitan, home of the Emperor. All of these interesting places have key influences on who controls the spice trade, the most powerful substance, and the riches found on Arrakis.
Now the adventure resumes, as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the exiled Duke of House Atreides, now on Planet Arrakis is helping the Fremen against the Harkonnens and must find the way to survive their onslaught. Traveling through the desert and learning the ways to survive on this dangerous planet, Paul with help from, Chani (Zendaya), a young Fremen warrior, and Stilgar (Javier Bardem), leader of the Fremen tribe at Sietch Tabr, can discover that he is the one that is in the prophecy and claim the name “Muad’Dib”. With instructional guidance from his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul’s Bene Gesserit mother and concubine to Paul’s late father Leto Atreides, and Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), the former military leader of House Atreides and Paul’s mentor.
The House of Harkonnen is planning on cornering the spice trade and eliminating anyone who stands in their way. Led by Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), head of House Harkonnen, Feyd-Rautha’s uncle, sworn enemy to Atreides, and former steward of Arrakis, he sends his nephews. Glossu Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista), the brutish nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and older brother and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler), Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s youngest nephew and planned successor of House Harkonnen, to control and search for Paul and his new found friends.
Director and writer Denis Villeneuve does a fantastic job bringing this world to life. The special effects were fantastic and realistic giving you an experience like no other. By helping us become the Fremen and understand their ways, he can bring us through the adventure along with the characters. Denis expanded on the storyline to give you a more detailed look into the war on Arrakis and the adventure these characters had to endure. A wonderful performance by the entire staff that brought some realism into the narrative.
After watching the original 1984 version it helped make the storyline much clearer. It assisted to identify and explain the origins of the different groups involved in the film. Also giving a summary-type guideline on the narrative structure of the more expanded and detailed current version. So, I recommend you do your homework review the original version, and make sure you also rewatch part one before you venture out into the world of Dune.
Final Comment: I based my grade on fantastic special effects, excellent performance by the cast, and a magnificent adaptation of the original storyline.
Additional Film Information
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Christopher Walken.
Directed and written by: Denis Villeneuve Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-FMPAA
Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some suggestive material, and brief strong language.
Running Time: 2 hours and 46 minutes.
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Distributed By: Warner Brothers
Release In: Standard, IMAX, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Atmos