JC

Incredible movie. It is both thought-provoking and tense. I write from the pov of someone who has never seen the first movie, and who knows nothing about Dune. The only con is that I found the main plot of the story convoluted, likely presuming a familiarity with the source material beforehand. Other than that, everything else was a masterpiece in storytelling. SPOILERS ahead: Apart from the tension of the physical fighting, I found the internal conflict within Paul, and his conflict with Chani to be the most suspenseful and the most intense. Throughout the movie, we can see a shift in Paul's character. We note that he first starts out as very confident. He believed he could join the ranks of the Freman and be one like them, braving dangerous quests while doing so. Yet, as Paul gains power, his confidence shifts to recklessness. He quite daringly challenged the Southern Counsel to fight him, refusing to play to tradition. His recklessness was to his advantage, and he soon led an army against the Emperor. At the very end however, Paul's recklessness belies a hidden self-destructive behaviour. He willingly fights Feyd Rautha, even when Feyd was already his prisoner. This time, his fortune drew thin. In a climatic ending, he nearly dies fighting Feyd, only surviving by what can be seen as a cheap trick by the audience. Dramatic irony is utilised when Paul ends the fight triumphantly. To the people who worship him, Paul has reached the height of power, yet to the audience, we understand that Paul cannot even control his own character. He is forever a slave to his arrogance and recklessness, a tragic ending. This idea of a tragic ending is further emphasised when Chani leaves Paul. In the final scene, Feyd asks whether Chani is just a 'toy' to Paul. This is in line with Feyd's character, but the idea that Chani would just be a plaything for Paul is unthinkable for the audience. Yet, ironically, this is exactly how Paul is treating Chani. Paul's character arc for the second Dune movie is complete, when we start to see parallels between Paul's character and Feyd's. When Chani chooses to leave Paul at the end, Paul does not say a word. His ego may not allow him to give in, and admit that maybe he was wrong. He chooses to harden his heart. This reinforces the idea that Paul is but a slave to his own arrogance, and this arrogance will lead him away from the people who care most for him, and this arrogance will kill him whether he likes it or not. He is a puppet on a string, no control, no power. Anyway, it is for this reason, and so many others, that I love this movie so much. The character and conflict of and within Paul are beautifully written. 8.5/10, would watch again.