After an absolutely stunning introduction to Frank Herbert’s science-fiction classic back in 2021, expectations for Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up were admittedly quite high. My interest in the Dune universe were piqued when the first film was still in production and I began learning more about what made this series so special in the worldwide geekdom canon. How could a film hope to capture the vast machinations of the Great Houses and the Empire? The deep and impossibly long histories and plans of the Bene Gesserit? The 2021 film seeded those pieces of lore in the background, but this year’s sequel finally brings them back around to serve them up to the audience. I can’t say for certain how clear they would have been to someone who didn’t do the reading beforehand, but I’m glad to see that Villeneuve did the homework and made sure the themes rang clear for everyone else who did the same. While obviously there is plenty that must be cut in the translation of adaptation, but the broad strokes of the story and struggle come through at a solid pace for modern audiences, with buckets of beautiful cinematography and mesmerizing sound design to really make it worth the price of admission. Easily one of the best sci-fi films since the first installment, a solid 8/10 for bringing this classic to a new generation of fans.
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