“Dune II”, the making of a messiah on the planet Arrakis

“Dune II” is the second part of the science fiction saga, the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s cult novel by Canadian Franck Herbert.

Delayed by the strike in Hollywood, it is this Wednesday, February 28 that this American science fiction blockbuster directed by Denis Villeneuve arrives on French screens with stars Thimothée Chalamet and Zendaya.

Zendaya in “Dune II”, by Denis Villeneuve.

© Warner Bros.

Entertainment Inc.

By: Sophie Torlotin Follow

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In 10191, on the desert planet Arrakis, the brutal and fascistic power of the Harkonnen enslaves the people to exploit spice, a highly coveted source of energy.

Timothée Chalamet plays a prince on the run, Paul Atréides, who will embrace the fight of the sand rebels and lead them to victory...

Canadian director Denis Villeneuve succeeds in bringing to the screen Frank Herbert's epic novel, deemed unadaptable and on which several filmmakers had lost their teeth, notably David Lynch.

He achieves this by tightening the plot on issues of power.

The battles are breathtaking.

The visual universe is also particularly successful, carried by the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.

This second part, darker, shows the instrumentalization of religion for political purposes and the creation of a messiah.

But what the film gains in epic breath, it loses in emotion.

While the promotion of the blockbuster highlights its two young stars, Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, the romantic intrigue between their characters, Paul and the rebel Chani, remains rather in the background.

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