A week or two back, I watched Dune Part 1, and it was a beautiful experience. Although I was late to the part; but I enjoyed every bit of it. My plan was to watch Dune Part 2, as soon as possible, however, it took me some time. But here I am.
It is 1:00 AM in the midnight. I have just finished it, like five minutes back. And as usual, there is so much to talk about, to think about. But the first thing I regret is: not being able to watch this experience on IMAX cinema. Secondly, I might be going insane, but I believe after "Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit," I have never been addicted to a movie this way. Do not mind me, a nuclear fission reaction is going on in my mind. Ideas are in constant bombardment, while I am still trying to make a sense of everything.
Here to the movie
After watching it, I have come to a conclusion - Arrakis is not a place where anyone goes for something peaceful. Even the emperor is not safe there.
There is sand everywhere, giant worms beneath the ground, people who believe in prophecies, powerful houses and dukes, and basic human struggle for power through any means.
The Starting Point
The story continues after the destruction of House Atreides. (I had to write these names and things in my note, names are quite hard to remember, lol)
“The Battle for Arrakis had no witnesses. There was no warning and no declaration of war. By morning, House Atreides was no more.”
Alas! The Emeperor's daughter, who recorded those words, did not know that Paul was still alive. Not just alive, he has transformed into something new. Like the young Paul, we met in the first film was all doubtful and experiencing uncertain and wild things. He was mostly unknown to the ways - practically - of Fermens.
The Harkonnens
The Harkonnens are still horrible. And no offense to Mr.Skarsgard, baron vladimir is still the ugliest and uncomfortable character for me. He is creepy.
Irrespective of body-shaming, though the character deserves it, the household is the realistic of all. Their society seems to follow one simple and universal rule: power belongs to whoever is strong enough to take it. Or simply, "Might is right" phenomena. Not to yap with the analysis, but it reminds me of Thomas Hobbes's "brutish" term for human life.
Lisan al-Gaib
Our protagonist, Paul has learnt the ways of Fermen. And, by all means, he deserves to be called a protagonist. All credit to the writer and his brilliant acting. The bestest thing about him? It is his transformation. From all doubtful to all set. Just one drink, and he has become "Eren Yeager."
To the Fermen, he is the "Mahdi", the "Lisan al-Gaib," the promised leader who will guide them and bring back the "Green Paradise." And, they have waited for this person, for this moment for generations.
To continue with his transformation, Paul does not immediately accept the role. In fact, he appears to disguise it, halfway through the movie. Maybe he just wanted to protect the world from his "dreams becoming reality" sort of thing. However, once people start to believe there is no coming back. His killing of Jamis had already decided his fate ahead.
Paul is now called "Muad'Dib and Usul," meaning a small desert mouse. The one who points the way. I found this name fascinating. The world is big, and our hero is still learning his ways; but still, he has ways to survive, to lead, and at the same time, to love.
Sihaya
Even Chani, itself, is such a beautiful name for me. But Sihaya? Impressed! The meaning behind it? THE DESERT SPRING
She is not simply there because every hero apparently needs a love story. She, the only one, who challenges and questions Paul. She keeps on reminding him that Fermen are real people, not just an army waiting for a general to lead. Even, in the end, her rebellious nature was quite visible.
Oh yes, the small mouse and the desert spring kissed. It was a beautiful moment.
After all, romance and attraction is also part of human nature.
Reverend Mothers
They were playing a big role in the whole context. But, my focus was one thing, they are responsible for holding the memories of those who came before them. And they have the power to control people through their strange voice maybe or hallucination, whatever that power was.
"Power over spice is power over all."
Though, we had already established the fact that the Emperor helped destroy House Atreides. Reason? Well Paul's father was kind and weak. However, that guy gave birth to someone - who is now acting as an Emperor. Revenge taken well. But, I believe, Paul is just bounded by the faith. And not by his urge for revenge only. He wanted to escape this fate; he keeps on refusing to go to South. But faith had decided something else.
By the way, there are weapons, in Paul's custody, enough to destroy worlds.
Weak Points
The pacing is the biggest flaw. I get it that there is time limit, and it is a movie, not a tv show. But still, better skip some extras than pacing up everything. As an example, for two-third of the movie Paul rejects every possible way of being declared a Messiah. However, within few minutes, he is just a new person. Was it the drinks effect, or the Jamis's Jinn? I will have to look into it, but overall pacing was not something which I liked.
Then there is another thing: our protagonist and the fermen never suffer any significant loss. There is a water filled up of their martyred/dead people, but they are losing anyone. Moreover, they win every battle with no to little struggle. Even the final battle felt so rushed.
The cinematography is beautiful
Being honest, I do not want to end such a masterpiece, as I have compared it with the peakest peaks LOTR, with some negative talking. Back to the positive points, the desert feels endless. Sometimes, all the time, characters look tiny against the massive landscape. The action scenes are large and people feel like little ants. The visuals never feel like they are there only to show off. The movie deserves every credit for its cinemetography. And more importantly, Paul riding such a giant worm was a peak fun for me. No double meanings :)
The cast
Timothee Chalamet makes Paul’s transformation believable. He begins as someone trying to survive and ends as someone capable of changing the entire worlds order. Zendaya gives Chani strength and independence, while Rebecca Ferguson continues to make every conversation feel like a hidden plan is already happening.
And Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha?
Man, he literally nailed his role. He was strange, unsettling, and someone who looked like someone without any peaceful thoughts. Him acknowledging Paul as a great fighter was the most peaceful experience.
Now all eyes are onto the third part. And of course, doors are much more larger than the part 1.
ened a much larger door and then told us:
“Now wait.”
This thing should be declared illegal. I really want to see the third part, as soon as possible. Yes, I can read about it. But, I do not want to spoil all the fun.
I don't want power over spice or armies. I just want to watch the ending.
But the power to make us impatient for the next film.
As of now ratings are:
IMDb: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Metacritic: 79/100
Personal:85/100
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Peace 🕊️
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Rating: 85/100
