As a disclaimer, I want to share that I have not read any of the Dune books series. But I have watched David Lynch’s directed movie “Dune” (1984). I also rewatched Denis Villeneuve’s directed movie “Dune: Part One” (2021) a couple of days prior to watching its sequel “Dune: Part Two”. As a lifelong science fiction fan and consumer, I adore stories with complicated characters and rich world-building. Here is why I think you should check out “Dune: Part Two”.

“Dune: Part Two” immediately sets the tone of the kind of energy to expect in the first few minutes of the film. The elegance of Princess Irulan is contrasted with dark dreamlike shots of a fetus inside a womb. With this 2001: Space Odyssey-esque surrealism firmly established we are pulled back to the planet, Arrakis, where the first film left off.

 This movie has substantially more action than the first film which was meant to establish the world we are in. As we follow the Fremen in the desert, we are shown the customs of their culture that startle Paul (played by actor Timothée Chalamet) and his mother Jessica Atreides (played by actress Rebecca Ferguson). 

Paul navigates the challenges to remain in the good graces of the Fremon. The sprawling desert scenes of Arrakis remind us that nature cannot be tamed, no matter how minuscule or colossal. Then the hyper-contrasting alien brutalism of Harkonnen’s home planet, Giedi Prime, is a shock to the system.

The most visually captivating scenes are when we see what the outdoors looks like on the planet depicted in a striking monochrome with brilliant science fiction world-building. We find ourselves seeing Paul’s journey in his young adulthood being treated as a religious icon. We see how it transforms him for better or for worse.

All in all, the movie is captivating, emotionally brutal, and a strong science fiction piece that upholds a high standard in this cinematic genre. The actors have fantastic chemistry, the cinematography and composition are elegant, the direction is sincere and dedicated, and the sound design and score wrap it up into a beautiful ethereal package.

While the following list does not indicate an exact copy or recreation of these pieces, I feel the aesthetic and certain elements can be evoked while watching “Dune: Part Two”. If you also enjoy the following pieces of media and creators — “2001: A Space Odyssey”, “The Fifth Element”, visual environment design by Moebius (Jean Giraud), “Sin City”, “300”, “Blade Runner 2049”, the video game “Journey”, and the book “Nemesis” by Isaac Asimov — you might enjoy this film.