Dune Part Two

Denis Villenueve's Tribute of Love to Frank Herbert's Novel

I am sitting here in my house intimidated to write this. Why am I intimidated? I just got done seeing Dune Part Two for the second time. It very well may be the greatest science fiction story ever told and I don’t know if my writing can carry the weight of this work. Despite my fear, I must write because this is my passion…

"I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

I am ready.

The Dune Mythology

The Dune Mythology is incredibly important to me. So important to me that it is now part of me forever (more on that later). I grew up a sci-fi nerd, loving Star Wars and other works that are said to be inspired by Frank Herbert’s novel. However, I did not read the book until just a few years ago. I wanted to know the story before I stepped into the movie theater.

In Dune, there is an Empire that spans across the galaxy. This Empire is made up of great Houses, or families that are engaged in the Emperor’s rule. The planet Arrakis is at the center of the Empire because it is the only planet where spice is harvested. Spice is the main source of wealth and power and it must flow. The Emperor orders House Atreides to Arrakis so that House Harkonnen can attack and destroy them. However, the protagonist of the story, Paul Atreides survives and becomes part of the indigenous people of Arrakis, the Fremen. Paul leads the Fremen in an effort to take back the planet, and ultimately the Empire. However, this hero’s story may not actually be the story of a real hero.

The story of Dune is a very deep and dense one. It is very hard to summarize in a just a few paragraphs and, in fact, it was often said that it was un-filmable. Previous attempts to bring Dune to the screen failed to capture Frank Herbert’s broad vision. It covers everything from ecology to politics to war to love and it is ultimately a warning about religious fanaticism and placing your faith in a hero. As someone who teaches about democracy and authoritarianism, Herbert’s messages are still relevant today. Herbert wrote six books, but Villeneuve’s movies are based on the first one. We are promised a movie for Dune: Messiah that I’m very much looking forward to. Villenueve has already said that he plans to stop there, and as someone who has read books three to five, that’s definitely the right decision.

The Golden Path

An important part of the Dune Mythology is The Golden Path. The Golden Path is a very complex spiritual and historical journey that impacts the course of humanity and time. Paul’s development as the Lisan al Gaib, and later on his son’s development into a…you know what let’s just stick with Paul’s story for now…

I went on a little bit of a Golden Path myself in the lead up to Dune Part Two. I ingrained myself into this story. Not only reading the books, but also working on a Dune Ornithopter LEGO project, repeatedly listening to the soundtrack, inhaling the aromas of the Spice Melange, and yes, tattooing the cover of Dune: Messiah on my arm because this story has become a strong foundation of so much of what I believe.

The Film

Before I write about Dune Part Two, I must first express a memory from Dune Part One. Having been pretty new to the mythology myself, my wife and I saw the first film as part of a double date with a couple that knew way more than us. Now, I’m as nerdy as can be, but my wife is not. I had no idea how she would feel about this movie. I sat there next to her during the last half hour of film fearing that she was bored and hated it. I’ll never forget the smile on her face when we walked out of the theater. That beautiful smile and hearing her say, “Wow! That was awesome!” Dune Part One came out during that weird part of the Covid-19 Pandemic when movie studios released films in the theater and on streaming. Let’s just say there were a few playful arguments as my wife watched Dune MULTIPLE TIMES without me while I was at work….

Fast forward to February 25, 2024. We are at a special week early IMAX showing of the movie. It’s just my wife and I, no double date. We get out of the film and I see that same smile when we walk out. Then, today, March 2, 2024. It is a day after the official release of the film. We see it again and I see that smile…before the film even starts. I’ve said the Dune Mythology means a lot to me and it has impacted so much of my personal beliefs, but I sit here emotional because most importantly, it is a story that the love of my life and I both love together.

This film has everything. A message that makes you think. A love story that makes you hurt. Shots that wow you and a musical score that moves you. It will be considered one of the best, if not the best film of 2024. I’m predicting now that it will get nominated for twelve Oscars. Add in the ten that the first movie was nominated for plus a Supporting Actor for Austin Butler and a Supporting Actress for Zendaya. Denis Villeneuve has made a piece of art.

Hans Zimmer

I used to spend a lot of time thinking about rap beefs. Biggie vs. Tupac. East vs West. Bad Boy Records vs Death Row Records. Jay-Z vs Nas. Sometimes I picture an imaginary soundtrack composer beef between John Williams and Hans Zimmer. John Williams is largely considered the greatest film composer of all-time and for good reason: Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Home Alone, ET, and Superman. With all due respect though, I’m more of a Hans guy. Hans has composed some bangers: Dune, Interstellar, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception, and The Prince of Egypt. I am not kidding when I say that the Dune Part Two music will evoke the emotion within you.

Denis Villenueve

At the end of the day, this movie is his work of love for the Dune story. He grew up loving the novel and even made storyboards for it as a kid. He bet on himself in making Part One without even having the backing of the studio for Part Two. He got the opportunity and made an even better film with Part Two….and he’s still not done. He’s one the greats of our era. If previous generations had Spielberg, Lucas, and Coppola. Mine has Nolan and Villenueve. Hear from the man himself:

My Road Leads into the Desert

At the end of Part One, Paul says “My road leads into the desert” and that is where I say my goodbye today. I think about the art on my arm and that it portrays Paul’s ultimate journey in Dune: Messiah. The story is not over yet, but for now we head into the desert until next time…