In an unexpected twist on the sci-fi genre, “Dune Part Two” propels its characters into a thrilling narrative that marries the epic saga of the desert planet Arrakis with the whimsical elements of time travel. Picking up where “Dune Part 1” left off in 2021, this installment takes the audience on an adventure that is as surprising as it is entertaining.
The highlight of the film is undoubtedly Paul Atreides’ inaugural wormriding experience. However, this is no ordinary journey across the dunes. In a nod to classic sci-fi, Paul accelerates Shai-Hulud to 88 miles per hour, catapulting him and Stilgar into Hill Valley in the year 2015. Their mission? To prevent Paul’s descendants from derailing their futures. The plot thickens when Baron Harkonnen seizes the opportunity to alter the course of history by giving the Sports Almanac to Feyd-Rautha, setting off a chain of events that could change the very fabric of time.
As Paul and Stilgar navigate their way through this labyrinth of temporal turmoil, they encounter an altered 1985 where the outcomes of their past efforts are upended. The duo’s attempt to rectify the timeline leads them further back to 1955, in a desperate bid to thwart Baron Harkonnen’s plans.
The film’s climax sees Stilgar and Shai-Hulud struck by lightning, sending them spiraling into 1885. The suspense is heightened when Paul receives a letter from Stilgar, penned in the 19th century, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats as Gurney Halleck delivers the pivotal message. As the screen fades to black, the promise of “To Be Concluded…” ensures that viewers will be eagerly anticipating the saga’s resolution.
With Huey Lewis and the News serenading the credits, “Dune Part Two” emerges as a bold, genre-blending spectacle that pays homage to the beloved tropes of time travel while continuing the storied legacy of the Dune saga.