Upon hearing that Denis Villeneuve was making “Dune”, I remember thinking there was no better director to take on Frank Herbert’s science-fiction classic. That sentiment was proven right with the release of Villeneuve’s 2021 feature – the jaw-dropping first chapter of his masterful big screen epic. After a brief delay following last year’s Hollywood labor disputes, “Dune: Part Two” is finally here and sees Villeneuve reuniting with the first film’s incredible cast and talent behind the camera.

Villeneuve’s first venture was an immersive and breathtaking introduction to Herbert’s universe, captured through the passionate lens of a visionary filmmaker. Part Two picks up the story right where its predecessor left off and then expands on it through intensive world-building and character work. A few brilliantly cast new faces are added, seamlessly fitting into the rich and complex world. Then there are the many returning faces – a star-studded ensemble who once again bring their fascinating array of characters to life.

Much like the previous film, “Dune: Part Two” offers up a visual feast. The spectacular locations, the thrilling set pieces, and the outstanding costume design are just some of what makes the movie such a stunner. But perhaps more impressive is Villeneuve’s amazing ability to artfully translate Herbert’s dense and complex story to the big screen. Politics, religion, and mythology play significant roles in “Dune” and add intriguing layers to the storytelling. And Villeneuve and his co-writing partner Jon Spaihts don’t shortchange any of those elements.

As a refresher, the “Dune” films are set in the distant future within an empire known as the Imperium. Leading the Imperium is the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (played in Part Two by Christopher Walken) who oversees several Great and Minor Houses. Among them is the noble House Atreides and their mortal enemies, House Harkonnen. At the center of the main conflict is Arrakis, a harsh desert planet that is the lone source of the most valuable commodity in the universe, Spice Melange. Through devious plotting and subterfuge, Shaddam uses House Harkonnen to annihilate House Atreides after feeling threatened by the popularity of its beloved leader, Duke Leto. What he didn’t count on was Leto’s son Paul surviving and forming an alliance with the Fremen, the native inhabitants of Arrakis.

Part Two picks up with the lone survivors of House Atreides, Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and his pregnant mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), working to earn the trust of the Fremen people. Many among the Fremen suspect them of being spies. But tribe leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) defends them, believing Paul to be their prophesied messiah. Meanwhile Paul continues to grow closer to Chani (Zendaya), a Fremen warrior who thinks the prophecy is nonsense but who stands by Paul as he assimilates into her culture.

Paul and the Fremen intensify their guerrilla raids on the Harkonnen spice harvesters which inevitably gets the attention of the ruthless House leader Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (a devilishly sinister Stellan Skarsgård). Out of patience with his nephew Rabban (Dave Bautista) – the overseer of spice production on Arrakis, the Baron replaces him with his younger nephew, the psychotic Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler). Elsewhere the word of Paul’s survival and rise to power among the Fremen reaches the Emperor who has desperately worked to conceal his involvement in the House Atreides slaughter.

Those are just some of the tensions that grow throughout the absorbing story with its many moving pieces. Part Two has its rousing moments, some romance, and even prickly family drama. But it’s the thematic depth that makes it so intriguing. Take the wicked undercurrent of manipulation and deception that’s felt throughout the film, almost always in the service of power and control. We see it in the hegemonization of cultures through the planting of false religions and in the wielding of political might to maintain power. We even see it the efforts to build an army in the name of the greater good.

To no surprise “Dune: Part Two” is a technical achievement, complete with thrilling action, dazzling visual effects, and unmatched artistic vision. DP Greig Fraser captivates with his camera whether shooting the vast sun-scorched dunes of Arrakis or intimate close-ups that peer deep behind the eyes of the characters; whether capturing hypnotic and sometimes unsettling dream sequences or fierce sprawling combat sequences and sandworm surfing. There is never a moment when his images aren’t appealing in one way or another. And it’s all accented by Hans Zimmer’s penetrating score.

“Dune: Part Two” clicks perfectly into place with the first film and builds upon it in a number of scintillating ways. The performances shine from top to bottom (none brighter than Austin Butler’s). And the sheer craft on display, along with the extraordinary storytelling, results in an awe-inspiring and mature science-fiction blockbuster that immediately left me hoping for a Part Three. Will we get one? Rumor has it a script is nearly finished. But as always it will depend on how this one does at the box office. Hopefully it gets the audience it deserves. “Dune: Part Two” opens in theaters today.

VERDICT – 5 STARS