The second film completing the first book, moved from 2023 due to the actors strike. Now finally arriving, some three years after the first well received instalment.

Visionary director Denis Villeneuve picks up exactly where the first film ended, making little allowance for anyone not familiar with the first instalment or book written by Frank Herbert.

The story has only been filmed once before, not well and for good reason. The book and themes are complex, the world building needing to wait for the technology to match the director’s vision.

We left “Paul Atreides” (Timothée Chalamet) slowly being accepted into the world of the Fremen, following the slaughter of the house of Atriedes, at the hands of the ruthless Harkonnen.

As expected, such genocide is politically motivated, led by the disgusting “Baron” (Stellan Skarsgård). He is ably assisted by his nephews the “Beast Rabban” (Dave Bautista) and psychotic “Feyd-Rautha” (Austin Butler), who makes the Beast seem soft.

The Emperor (Christopher Walken) continues to pull the strings, fortunately his daughter “Princess Irulan” (Florence Pugh) is creating a verbal diary, allowing some concession to the audience who may be confused as to plot points and motivations.

Essentially the masses need to be convinced Paul is the “chosen one”, as part of an engineered prophecy. If successful, this would provide him the power and resources to defeat the Harkonnen, avenging his father’s death. His mother (Rebecca Ferguson), who makes Lady Macbeth look like a benevolent social worker, strives to make this come to fruition, despite Paul’s reluctance to accept this fate.

Enough about the complicated plot, does the film surpass or meet the excellent first film?

In the sense of being epic and a true spectacle, absolutely. Everything is dialled up to 11, with worm riding, stupendous battle sequences, Spice harvester attack and opening massacre of Harkonnen troops in true cinematic style.

As usual Ferguson is excellent and Chalamet continues to impress, making a plausible transition from spoilt Duke to formidable war leader, while dealing with internal turmoil. The chemistry with his true love “Chani” (Zendaya), also appears wholly believable.

Actor of the moment Austin Butler, further impresses as he chews monochrome scenery, while dispatching friend and foe alike with psychotic glee. Bautista, continuing his GOTG theme of wanting to kill everyone, is out of his genocidal depth, not relishing being the least crazy person in the room.

Costumes, set, special effects, location and the usual thundering score from Hans Zimmer add to those “Spectacle or Epic” words. Occasionally, it feels there is almost too much of everything, coupled with considerable segues into the mystical Bene Gesserit, which may prove difficult for those not well versed in the books.

However, there is much to enjoy here, the desert locations are stunning and beautifully shot by cinematographer Greig Fraser. The world building is crafted with obvious care and while a long film, the story demands extensive running time.

The film, in line with the book, sketches the perils of religious fundamentalism, inciting those to act according to your will. Subsequent lack of control combined with absolute power, runs the risk of becoming the very monster you set out to destroy, weighty themes indeed.

For audiences paddling in the shallows of Herbert’s fever dream, this could be a less accessible film. Those wanting “stuff blown up good”, need to be patient and endure many mystical characters hidden behind veils to get to the explosions and battles.

The film is by necessity violent but arguably not particularly graphic.

Summary

Overall, a towering achievement from director Denis Villeneuve, cast and crew. Making the jump from page to screen is notoriously difficult but this is wholly impressive.

Those without full Dune understanding may need to get up to speed quickly for a possible third film, as the themes and motivations get more complicated from here onwards.