While the Harkonnens reestablish control of Arrakis, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) learns the Fremen ways and joins them in their efforts to fight the Harkonnens. He takes the name Maud'Dib, so the Harkonnens are unaware that any of the Atreides clan survived. His mother (Rebecca Ferguson), a Bene Gesserit, drinks the Water of Life in order to replace a dying Reverend Mother. However, she is pregnant and the Water of Life has a profound impact on her unborn daughter. Thanks to Paul's exposure to spice, his selective breeding, and his Bene Gesserit training, he has abilities beyond normal men. He was already suspected of being a savior in the first movie, thanks to prophecies that the Bene Gesserit have spread among the Fremen for centuries. Now that Paul is a brilliant war commander, opinions that he might indeed be the Madhi spread across the face of Arrakis.
While the Fremen confront the Harkonnens, Paul and Chani (Zendaya) are drawn closer together and become lovers. Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) has not been idle. He has groomed his psychotic nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), to assume command of Arrakis, displacing his brother, Rabban (Dave Bautista). The stage is set for an eventual clash between Paul and Feyd, each of whom is the result of centuries of selective breeding.
Overall, this is a great movie. Very entertaining, good pacing, great visuals. My biggest issue with the movie was that Jessica was still pregnant at the end. Therefore, Paul goes from desperate refugee to emperor of the known universe in less than 9 months. It took somewhat longer in the book. It also took longer in the 1984 version, though the introduction of Paul's super precocious little sister was quite jarring.
The movie ends with a clear path for a sequel. In fact, it ends on something of a cliffhanger as the Fremen travel into space to being a holy war in Paul's name.
Great popcorn fun and recommended. I eagerly await the next one.
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