Now that it’s available on Netflix as well as in theatres, one feels obliged to watch one of the most anticipated films of the year: Dune 2.
I must be honest and admit it is not a film to which I was eagerly looking forward, especially as I had been less than impressed by the first Dune. Despite that, I committed myself to viewing the 165 minutes of the sequel. Having done so, I can only say that for me the film lived down to my low expectations.
Of course, many filmgoers revel in the world of science fiction movies, delighting in all the impressive special effects that today’s technology makes possible. Though I was one of those thrilled with the now clumsily antiquated first of the Star Wars franchise in 1977, my enthusiasm for sci-fi space movies has dwindled considerably. However, true Dune fans will not be disappointed by the current release.
The film picks up where its predecessor left off, with Paul Atreides, our reluctant hero, finding refuge among the Fremen after the treacherous revolt of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. What follows is essentially formulaic, with Paul proving himself as a truly trustworthy leader to the Fremen, ultimately being viewed as a kind of Messiah in the war against the dark forces attempting to take control of the planet, and, of course, finding time to fall in love with Chani between conflicts.
All of this is done with the required sequences of impressive war engines, battles, religious ceremonies and incantations, use of magical elixirs, and riding of the deadly earthworms. In other words, the film delivers exactly what its fans expect, and does so with impressive visuals, beautiful shots of the desert, and, of course, all the technical gimmickry that director Denis Villeneuve can inspire and imagine.
Why, then, my misgivings?
To begin with, there were times when I was simply mystified about what was going on. Despite having read (and largely forgotten) Herbert’s novel some decades ago, there were moments when I urgently felt the need of a narrator to explain to me what was happening and why. Sequence followed sequence, with no explanation or introduction; battles were fought; the two lovers took time out to whisper sweet nothings to each other; weird religious ceremonies of apparently high import were accompanied by incantations in some strange language; our hero endured and passed a number of tests to prove his worth ... and so it continued to the inevitable impressive technical onslaught of the finale.
Meanwhile, as I puzzled my way along, I was further puzzled by other self-invented concerns. As with Dune, I wondered what all these people eat. There are millions of them, but not a vestige of vegetation to be seen. Why are the battles a decidedly incongruous mixture of super advanced and visually impressive technology and ancient medieval warfare, fought with daggers and the clearly weak protection of inadequate armour. Why do all those sandworms obligingly take their riders in parallel formation to exactly the right spot for a battle? And how can one possibly believe in a Messiah who is so blandly uninteresting?
After a while, I simply surrendered to the moment and let it all pass by my dull eyes, letting the solemnly portentous (or should that be pretentious?) proceedings pass along, wondering if there would even be an end to all the posturing, the parading, the pomp, and the polemics.
I suppose it all comes down to the fact that I am too old, too jaded, and too cynical to surrender to it all – though I do hold a degree of envy for all those fans who are thrilled, mesmerized, and thoroughly entertained by Dune 2. At least they get their money’s worth. I’m sure they are looking forward to movie versions of the rest of the saga, though I don’t think I will be able to spare the time to join them.