Dune Part Two: A Comprehensive Upgrade of Part One

Compared to the classical and restrained narrative strategy chosen for constructing the weltanschauung in Part One (“Dune”), Part Two progresses by leaps and bounds even with its extended length. The much-criticized pacing issues in Part One exist no more. Villeneuve's artistic and restrained style evolves into a faster-paced narrative with rapid editing and a continuous stream of information, while still maintaining compact storytelling with aesthetic considerations.

The grand and majestic tone set in Part One transitions into a journey of revenge resembling “Hamlet.” The elegance gradually transforms into a roar of rebellion driven by faith, elevating the viewing experience from grandiose to explosive. The sound effects, scores, and grand scenes, built upon the foundation of Part One’s grandeur, deliver even more stunning visual impact. The sound of the sandworm riding scenes is deafening, and the visual spectacle, enhanced by IMAX format, brings true epic awe.

The frequent switching of aspect ratios in Part One is alleviated in Part Two with the entire film shot digitally in IMAX, making the transitions between 1.9:1 and 1.43:1 aspect ratios smoother. It’s true that the Hollywood blockbuster experiences once again a renaissance reminiscent of the era of "The Lord of the Rings," although there are not as many war scenes as in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." However, the epic sense created by the grand scenes and the handling of the war scenes in the sequel can indeed be compared to it, and we can definitely look forward to Part Three "The Savior," reaching the heights of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

Part One serves as the trigger for the revenge, and Part Two begins this grand journey of revenge. In this journey, revenge is the main theme, but the destructive effects of revenge continue to haunt Paul in his prophetic dreams. While living among the Fremen, he inadvertently resists the mission of revenge. However, catalyzed by faith, Paul is hailed as the chosen one, the savior himself. Meanwhile, the Fremen's habitat is continuously threatened by the treachery of the Harkonnen family. The mission of revenge and the fate of the entire tribe inevitably lead to a decisive battle. Ultimately, under the enlightenment of Water of Life, Paul sets foot on the darkest path of revenge without looking back.

In the extended length of Part Two, Villeneuve uses political intrigue and familial bloodlines as turning points, constructing the formidable antagonist, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. He also delves deeply into the binary dichotomy of faith, which can be divided into inspiration and instigation. When a leader possesses positive thoughts, inspiration can lead the people towards the right path. However, when a leader's thoughts wander into the gray zone, inspiration can easily transform into inciting emotions.

Lisan al-Gaib, the title given to the savior by the Fremen, also represents unconditional adherence to faith. Villeneuve lays out Paul's internal transformation towards darkness, as well as the process of Paul rallying the Fremen to rebellion as the savior. Through the perspective of Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, doubts are raised, adding a dark undertone to the epic journey of Paul's revenge. The ending is reminiscent of Part One, concluding the saga of the “Hamlet’s” revenge and setting the stage for the coming holy war.

The film boasts a cast of skilled actors, among which Austin Butler's portrayal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is particularly impressive and unforgettable. The scene design of the black-and-white arena and the high-contrast color usage sharpen Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen's bloodthirsty desire and madness to the extreme. This scene design also reminds me of "Gladiator," and his pathological, ruthless interpretation brings to mind Joaquin Phoenix in "Gladiator." Undoubtedly, this character is one of the strongest antagonists portrayed in recent years.

Overall, "Dune: Part Two" shows a significant leap forward compared to Part One. The narrative pace is tighter, and the epic feel is once again elevated. Denis Villeneuve clearly understands how to make a commercial film better than the first episode. He puts aside the classical craftsmanship and transforms it into a narrative style and pacing akin to Christopher Nolan's, making the sequel more tense and entertaining, while still retaining its epic quality. Such tremendous progress indicates that Villeneuve has learned a lot from Nolan in editing and storytelling.