Dune: Part Two Invigorates Soul While Delivering a Villainous Austin Butler

This world is beyond cruelty. How do we rise above?  Do we stay complacent or embrace the capacity to adapt, change, grow and even settle for what may possibly be next on the horizon.

Set thousands of years in the future and picking up where “Dune” left off,“Dune: Part Two” again follows the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a young man propelled by fate into an intergalactic power struggle. The son of the murdered ruler Duke Leto Atreides and mystical Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul was given the ultimate test in “Dune”: to conquer his fears when fate—and powerful unseen forces—pull him into the sands of the remote planet Arrakis.

Exploring themes  from romantic and and maternal love to globalism,loyalty, revenge and catharsis, this visual cinematic feast furthers author Frank Herbert’s ecological ideology in this tale about humanity versus nature. At the core is a timeless conflict between the forces of good and evil.

On one side are the Fremen, a representation of humanity fighting for the collective survival of the native people and of planet Arrakis. On the other side lie the Harkonnen, a manifestation of corruption, violence and greed. Where they meet is the conflicted story of Paul Atreides, leaning into Chani’s (Zendaya) fierceness and Stilgar’s wisdom to gain the trust and support of the Fremen people, while the Harkonnens continue to ravage the sands of Arrakis for spice—though their efforts do not go unopposed,
further enraging them and leading to an all-out war. Sounds alot like our current political climate doesn’t it?

With insane imagery, the plot takes a second to kick in, but once it does the film goes full throttle action and adventure complete with sandworm rides, crawling ants action sequences that will leave audiences on the edge.

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya reprise their roles with a charisma and attentiveness to detail reminiscent of old Hollywood stars.  Their onscreen presence and chemistry are undeniable and a pleasure to behold.  Witnessing Chani experience heartbreak in it purest form will surely invigorate the young at heart with raw emotion.  Yet, it is an unrecognizable Austin Butler that will have tongues wagging.  Just as he did with “Elvis, ” Austin takes total command of everyone and every scene he inhabits with an unbridled bravado worthy of the villain he becomes.  A duel to the finish with Chalamet is a highlight, proving these actors are armed with the physicality and emotional skills to endure such a grueling scene on every visceral level.

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica is quite stellar, brilliant artist, whose many colors and moods enhance the plot with a bold creativity only enhanced by Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan.  Pugh is steely, calm and strong beyond her years.  Qualities that are on full display between her and Zendaya as they share one intense glance within the only scene they share onscreen.  It says so little while saying everything.

Ultimately, Dune:  Part Two will leave audiences with the question of wondering what one would do once you see their past or their future? What allows us as humans to embrace the capacity to adapt and navigate from one day to the next is the capacity to endure all knowing that fear is all we have.

Dune: Part Two is not only a masterful action film, but a cinematic look into the soul.