Dune Part Two ★★★★½

WITH Dune, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, French/Canadian Denis Villeneuve had already stamped himself as one of the current best directors of science-fiction cinema.

Dune Part Two seals this reputation, even surpassing the spectacular first instalment in some respects.

This visual epic continues to tell the story within the landmark 1965 novel by Frank Herbert.

When we left main protagonist Paul Atreides at the end of Part One he and his mother, Lady Jessica, were taking the first steps in joining the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis in their fight against the invading House Harkonnen which was responsible for the death of Paul’s father.

House Atreidis is now all but destroyed following the Emperor’s betrayal and use of House Harkonnen as the agent of its demise.

Baron Harkonnen is having a much harder time trying to track down and destroy the Fremen, or sand people and enlists his psychotic nephew Feyd-Rautha to lead the hunt.

Meanwhile Paul builds his reputation with the Fremen to the point where a growing number start to believe that he is the Chosen One from the Outer World who will bring prosperity to Arrakis.

Paul is not so sure, concerned by visions of his successful reign coming at the expense of many Arraki lives.

These are just some of the many plot lines running through what could rightly be described as a sci-fi version of Game of Thrones.

That being said, the script and acting, while very good, are not the most arresting aspects of the film.

The honour goes of course to the visuals which are brilliant in every detail, from the delineation of the look and atmosphere of each planet to the amazing sand worm riding sequences and stadium battles.

The cast, most of whom are returning, continues to be excellent with particular nods to Timothy Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson in the lead roles.

Zendaya is good in her expanded role and Australian Austin Butler is riveting as Feyd Rautha.

This is some of the visually greatest cinema we have seen in many years.

The characters may not have the beloved nature of Star Wars, Raiders, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but if Villeneuve can nail Part Three it will go down as critically one of the great trilogies.

Watched at the cinema.