Dune 2’s Cinema Sweep – Isabel T
After the recent release of the second part of Dune’s sci-fi adventure (1st March), it has already hit high box office figures and left almost every film critic with nothing but praise for the movie, actors and director (Dennis Villenueve). If you are unaware of these films, I’ll summarise quickly; adapted from Frank Herbert’s novel Dune, the first film follows the adventure of Paul Altreides on an foreign planet in the distant future, which he and his family are forced into war over a desert planet Arrakas, which has stores of spice, that is used for space travel as well as heightening the senses and awareness. The first film featured Timothee Chalamet as the protagonist Paul, alongiside Rebecca Furguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac and Josh Brolin. The second film adds actors such as Austin Butler and Florence Pugh. This second film also continues a confusing plot, so ensure you have a notebook in hand if the plot were to make entire sense to you. Both films have a confusing amount of politics, made up words and fighting – probably why critics are loving it so much.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the new film an impressive 93% rating from viewers, the Independent gave it 5/5, and IMBD recorded it as the 8th highest score movie in history. That’s quite a claim. But why? Here are some reviews left by watchers:
‘I’m not kidding when I say DUNE: part 2 is up there as an all timer with the Matrix, 2001, Interstellar, Blade Runner, and to some extent, Star Wars’
‘I believe this is one of, if not the best example of art in a movie’
New York Times critic, Manohla Dargis, said that ‘Chalamet and Zendaya make an appealing duo, fitting together with tangible ease […] together they humanize the story, giving it the necessary personal stakes and a warmth that helps balance the chilling violence’
The Guardian even claimed that director Villenueve ‘triumphs again in filming the unfilmable with a colour-saturated blockbuster contemplating zealotry and religious war’
After scoring high on general public and harsh critical responses, it is little surprise that within the first weekend release earned around $178.5 million at box office worldwide, with many standing ovations within just the first few days of public release. It also rivals the biggest worldwide release that has already surpassed Gerwig’s Barbie in 2023. The sequel has already made the list of the global top 10 chart. 2025’s Oscars and Golden Globes awards have probably already been decided, and may even rival that of Oppenheimer (2023) and maybe Lord of the Rings (2003) with Dune 2’s success only increasing from here. It’s box office achievement has doubled that of what Dune (1) earned in it’s initial release, which is often unsuccessful considering sequels and sci-fi genres. This should go to prove that a combination of excellent writing, a successful novel beforehand and beautiful cinematography satisfies all elements that viewers are looking for. It is yet to be released in Japan and China, which is most likely doubling the box office statistics.
Article featured image: Wallpaper poster, Timothy Salame, Paul Atreides, Dune 2, Dune 2, Timothée Chalamet for mobile and desktop, section фильмы, resolution 3200×2000 – download (goodfon.com)
Release poster: デューン パート 2 2023 ポスターはRound-Jacquiによって販売中 | SKU 346238 | Printerval
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