Do You Need to Watch ‘Dune Part One’ Before ‘Part Two’?

The next put up incorporates spoilers for the primary Dune film — however not for Half Two. 

It’s proper there within the title: That is Dune: Half Two. 

Not Dune 2, not The Second Dune, not Dune: Fremenemies For Life. (Though that final one has a very beautiful ring, I believe.) It’s Dune colon Half Two, indicating that that is the second portion of a bigger story, one you may not totally grasp in case you missed Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 Dune based mostly on Frank Herbert’s basic sci-fi novel.

Then once more, some films shove the phrase “Half 2” of their title to make it seem like they’re an important a part of a narrative when, in truth, they’re nothing greater than a shameless money seize. (Bear in mind The Final Exorcism Half II? It wasn’t the second a part of something! Half II was only a determined try to get round the truth that the primary film was supposedly in regards to the final exorcism!)

In different circumstances, you may get a “Half 2” sequel that, whereas compelling and worthwhile, largely stands alone. (Does The Godfather improve The Godfather Half II? Completely. Might you watch The Godfather Half II other than The Godfather and it will nonetheless make sense? For essentially the most half, sure.)

So what’s Dune: Half Two? Do you could see (or revisit) Dune to totally comply with the sequel?

The quick reply: Sure. Right here is why.

Why You Ought to See Dune Earlier than Dune: Half Two

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In contrast to David Lynch, who made the undeniably daring (and arguably unwise) determination to cram all of Frank Herbert’s Dune right into a single movie, Villeneuve determined to adapt Dune in two separate components. Posters and trailers referred to the primary film as Dune, however its precise onscreen title was Dune: Half One. 

That film coated about half of Herbert’s unique novel 1965. Dune: Half Two covers the remainder — and with only a few concessions to those that might need missed the primary half or forgotten its specifics within the interim. This can be a true Half Two by means of and thru.

It’s additionally not one which dwells on what’s come earlier than. There is no such thing as a “Beforehand, on Dune” montage through the opening credit, or a blatantly expository scene that recounts all of the occasions of the earlier film. Villeneuve doesn’t use title playing cards or onscreen graphics to remind you of the characters’ names or titles or their relationships to 1 one other.

As an alternative, Dune: Half Two picks up the place Dune left off. Just a few opening voiceover traces allude to the occasions of the final film, however except you already know who Home Atreides and Home Harkonnen are, they received’t imply a lot to you. In truth, Dune: Half Two feels prefer it was designed to be watched back-to-back with the primary movie as a large five-hour marathon. (In the event that they ever launch them in theaters as a double function, I’ll be the primary one in line.)

If You Can’t See Dune Earlier than Dune: Half Two, Right here’s What You Should Know Going In

For all of the above causes, I might strongly advise a watch (or rewatch if it’s been some time) of Dune earlier than Dune: Half Two. I rewatched the primary movie the night time earlier than my Half Two screening, and I used to be undoubtedly glad I did.

However I acknowledge that not everybody has the time to commit to that, or the luxurious of entry to the film. (It’s at present streaming on Max, by the way in which.) In the event you can’t see Dune for no matter motive, right here’s the naked minimal of knowledge you could know:

Dune: Half Two follows the persevering with saga of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) on the planet Arrakis in a distant future. Paul and his mom Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) are primarily the one survivors of an assault on the Atreides household by Home Harkonnen. The struggle between the 2 homes stems from a dispute over management of Arrakis and “spice,” an all-important pure useful resource harvested from the planet’s deserts that’s important for house journey and in addition expands human consciousness. (Like, far out, man.)

Along with being Paul’s mom, Jessica can also be a part of the “Bene Gesserit,” a bunch of ladies with monumental bodily and psychological powers who wield affect over the route of the universe and its politics in numerous methods. Paul’s distinctive heritage has given him a few of Jessica’s powers, which may be very uncommon for a person.

The Harkonnens have been the previous stewards of Arrakis; the Emperor ordered Home Atreides, led by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) to interchange the Harkonnens because the planet’s overseers firstly of Dune. The place the Harkonnens dominated over Arrakis with an iron fist, Duke Leto makes an attempt to forge a peace with the planet’s native folks, the Fremen, who’ve tailored to the world’s arid panorama and realized to stay in concord with the large sandworms who wander its large deserts.

Earlier than Leto may convey that plan to fruition the Harkonnen forces attacked, killing him and most of his household and allies. Paul and Jessica fled to the desert, the place they have been finally discovered by a clan of Fremen led by Stilgar (Javier Bardem), a religious believer in a prophecy {that a} messiah will come to unite the Fremen folks and lead them in a struggle in opposition to the Harkonnen. This Fremen tribe additionally contains Chani (Zendaya), who Paul had been having prophetic visions about, due to his Bene Gesserit genes and his publicity to spice on Arrakis.

That mainly brings you in control. As Dune: Half Two begins, Paul and Jessica have nowhere else to show and should attempt to assimilate into the Fremen, who’re sometimes unwelcoming to outsiders. Paul needs to take revenge in opposition to the Harkonnen for the dying of his household, however he additionally believes, due to his visions, that doing so may result in dying and chaos for a lot of the galaxy.

Ought to You See Dune: Half Two?

Completely. It would sound a bit of impenetrable from my temporary overview of the plot, however that’s type of the magic of Denis Villeneuve’s films; they sound bizarre on paper however up on the display screen, all of it appears believable and tactile and actual. So watch Dune after which make a journey to Arrakis for Half Two as quickly as you possibly can.

Take a look at our full (however spoiler-free) assessment of Dune: Half Two right here.