“Dune: Part Two” is the newest addition to the “Dune” cinematic universe by Denis Villeneuve, released on March 1. The first film, “Dune,” showcased the first half of the “Dune” book by Frank Herbert, while part two shows the second half of the story. 

Sophomore Tadija Zivotic walked into the theaters with high expectations after being a fan of the first film and walked out with his expectations exceeded.

“Although I expected to like the movie, I didn’t think that it would be as good as what we got,” Zivotic said. “Even though I liked the first ‘Dune,’ I felt like most audiences weren’t interested because most felt that it was too slow and released during the pandemic. But, I am ecstatic about all the recognition it receives worldwide. So far, ‘Dune: Part Two’ is the best movie of the decade for me.”

The movie follows Paul Atreides as he works with Chani and the Fremen people on Arrakis while on a path of revenge against the Harkonnen. He must choose between love, power and the future of the universe as he works to prevent a future that only he can see and control. The cast of the film was eye-catching for many, as it includes many big names such as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Rebbeca Ferguson, Christopher Walken and many more. 

“I think Austin Butler had an incredible performance as Feyd-Rautha, Timothee Chalamet had an incredible performance, and Javier Bardem’s performance is one of the best he’s had since ‘No Country for Old Men,’ which is cool to see,” senior Mateo Martens said. “I think they should all be nominated for Oscars.”

Many were impressed with the film’s effects but were amazed to find out that the budget was low for the film at $190 million. 

“The sequel handles the action sequences phenomenally by the crescendo in each scene,” Zivotic said. “Usually, a movie crescendos to one climax, but in ‘Dune: Part Two,’ every scene is a crescendo in its own right because it is just so well done with the score, scenery and lighting. For me, every moment stood out; however, the Feyd-Rautha fight scene in the ring and the final scene against Paul Atreides was one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

Although many people were skeptical about seeing this film, as sequels are known for degrading the film series, many were impressed by the results of “Dune: Part Two.”

“I didn’t have the highest expectations because I’m not used to sequels being good or better than the first [movie], but I thought the second one was better than the first,” senior Elena Hernandez Valdes said. “I enjoyed it more. Maybe it was just because of the hype and how much it lived up to that for me.” 

“Dune” has represented modern societal and political situations with the different groups of people in the films representing groups of people in the real world, and the new movie continues to show that.

“They introduced both the Emperor Shaddam IV and his daughter [Princess Irulan],” Zivotic said. “Through both of them, it shows how the Bene Gesserit are manipulating the Emperor into getting them what they want, which is political influence over the production of spice. This gives a more clear description of how the Bene Gesserit influenced Feyd-Rautha and the Harkonnens. It deepens the political aspect because of the manipulation that’s happening between the different houses.”

By Leah NgSaye