For the greater part of the last 40 years, when people discuss, rate, and talk about the best Hollywood adaptations of popular novels, Dune was not among them. The 1984 movie directed by one of the industry's greatest, David Lynch, was a massive flop—the complicated nature of the book and its themes and characters seemed impossible to adapt. 

However, in 2021 the project was picked up and adapted again by Denis Villeneuve, lead director of Arrival, Sicario, and more. The movie was released on streaming and in theaters to test the waters in this universe once more—and eventually reached pop culture success.

After 3 long years, the second part in an up-and-coming cinematic universe has been released. Dune Part 2 led by Timothee Chalamet, plays the lead as Paul Atradies the Duke of a far future house, and Zendeya as Chani, A rebel soldier fighting for her home planet. 

The movie comes hot off the tails of the first, picking up mere minutes after its predecessor ends. The story follows Paul and his mother as they become increasingly connected in the civil war on Arrakis. The film has an amazing way of immersing you into such an epic story knowing how and when to turn the action and intensity up. The characters of the film go through such an interesting and profound change. Paul the main character has to choose between fighting for his lost father or taking the path his mother foresees, one of a Messiah. 

The film also takes the unique and abstract themes of the book and relays them into Hollywood. It takes brave and unique stances on the “savior” narrative and doesn't point out a good or bad guy. Instead, each character acts inherently human, making choices that aren't perfect or clean. Yet—it so subtlety and beautifully blends this with other characters who are truly chaotic, Such as with an example from the movie, The Harkonenes who are centuries-old enemies of Paul's house, but yet it still leaves a reason for them to be narratively evil, cruel, etc. 

The artistic and stylistic elements in this movie also left an impact on me. One thing that felt so important was the colors. In the first movie, the sand and sky felt darkened, dull, and bleak which resonated with the film's central moods, feelings, and themes. However, in the first half of this film, the sand is miles of bright orange rolling hills that invoke a sense of hope, excellently paired with Paul and Chani’s developing relationship. But again, the movie makes another turn; we see the characters travel to new environments on Arrikis and again the colors here are bright or dim but different, and the rock faces and settlements are different. Every part of the world speaks its volume. 

Another artistic element that was even more elevating was the music. Hans Zimmer led this film and yet again nailed it. The film adapts and uses this main melody played on a flute throughout scenes of impact. It adds so much emotion and impact when Paul and Chani are with each other and when Paul changes it is used again to close the film, but instead has tones of sadness and power to it to reflect Paul's decisions in the movie. As the credits rolled I stayed, as the theme was so impactful I wanted to hear more. 

The first film has its low points, however the second patches up any small mistakes. At times the pacing and dialogue can be complicated, but in the end, it's resolved. 

the film wasn't just profound it was fun. It's a deep and impactful story that is so important where Hollywood is oversaturated with lifeless projects feeding off of dead cinematic universes—and Villeneuve’s Dune gives me and many others hope.