On the Philosophy of ‘Dune: Half Two’ – Energy, Management, Destiny & Love
by Alex Billington
March 14, 2024
“Think about what you’re about to do, Paul Atreides…” Be cautious of the trail you’re headed down, Muad’Dib… As with the 2 largest films of final 12 months (Barbie & Oppenheimer), the most important film of 2024 up to now can also be an especially dense, philosophically compelling, morally advanced work of cinematic artwork. It is exhilarating and interesting to ponder its epic story of management over the planet Arrakis, and much more thrilling realizing that audiences are consuming this up. Even when the philosophical concepts could not land as deeply with every viewer, it is proof that really believing in moviegoers as good individuals is definitely the correct path to take these days. Dune: Half Two is enjoying in theaters worldwide and after watching it 3 times on the cinema, I have to dig into its philosophical facet. The obvious themes are energy & management, together with destiny & future. Nevertheless, it additionally makes me surprise a couple of greater quandary: what does it actually take to overthrow an oppressor and is there truly a profitable solution to obtain peace & freedom for all? Or will it at all times result in extra oppression?
One vital word earlier than happening – I’ve not learn Frank Herbert’s books. I’m conversant in the place the story goes and the overall concepts inside the books, nonetheless my ideas on this article are primarily based solely on what we’re proven in Denis Villeneuve’s two films. Dune: Half Two is tailored by Denis Villeneuve together with sci-fi screenwriter Jon Spaihts. I additionally agree with this level made in Clint Gage’s editorial on Dune: Half Two and the variations from the guide printed on IGN: “The larger philosophical level about diversifications although is that they ought to be totally different… Villeneuve and Spaihts wrote the 2 components of Dune with an eye fixed on the previous and future that may make the Kwisatz Haderach proud, by adapting the supply materials via house, time and a dose of spice.” Even when there are particular philosophical concepts introduced up or defined within the books, my dialog relies purely on what Villeneuve and Spaihts have chosen to point out on display, and the way Paul’s arc progresses over these two films up to now. In fact, I am conversant in the place it leads with Paul (it ain’t good) which jogs my memory to point that there shall be full-on spoilers from right here on out. Clearly.
Dune: Half Two continues a contemporary sci-fi development the place it asks a complete bunch of intriguing questions, brings up loads of fascinating concepts and issues for viewers to ponder, whereas refusing to offer extra clear or helpful solutions to those issues, or an optimistic path to comply with (in our actual world or imaginations). It goes with out saying (however I will say it anyway) that our planet shouldn’t be in place proper now – with wars and tumult and troubles on almost each final continent. An epic sci-fi film like this, whereas clearly primarily based on books that had been impressed by the oil-obsessed days of the Nineteen Fifties & 60s, is commenting on our life as people on Planet Earth and is telling a narrative that we are able to relate to as we struggle for freedom and peace – simply as Paul & Chani do within the first half of Half Two. Nevertheless, as a lot because it may be story about Fremen combating again on Arrakis, it turns into one thing else and turns into a cautionary story. Sadly this implies it’s not a information for how one can obtain peace and equality. And most of the philosophical concepts in it are questions quite than solutions. I can not present definitive solutions both, however I’m nonetheless enticed by the questions anyway.
The 2 most important philosophical themes discovered inside Dune: Half Two are: destiny / future, your chosen path as a person, how a lot management you may have over it, and the way a lot you simply ought to succumb to and comply with it. Together with energy / management, the obsessive pursuit of it, the “calculus” of energy (as referred to in a line of dialogue), and the way chasing energy may cause these pursuing it to lose all management or humility. The query of destiny and fatalism is most outstanding, a standard theme in lots of, many sci-fi movies. The Matrix can also be about this very same philosophical conundrum as properly. Does Neo have free will – even when he decides to go away his predestined path behind? What does free will even imply? Can he train that free will? Is he destined to grow to be “The One”, the hero of Zion and humanity? Can he determine to grow to be that hero or not? What management does he have over his personal life if it’s a prophecy he’ll fulfill just by current? Paul Atreides offers with these sorts of heavy “hero” questions as properly all through each of Villeneuve’s Dune films up to now. With an additional caveat thrown in – the Bene Gesserit: whispering & plotting & planning & controlling the galaxy for millennia. They “planted” him generations in the past and thus he does not have energy over his future. Or does he?
There may be one facet of Dune: Half Two that I have been arguing about ever since my very first watch. Viewers who’ve learn the books know he’s about to grow to be an evil “Area Hitler-esque” oppressive chief within the subsequent story. “He’s not the good man!” they proclaim. “Will audiences perceive this?” Sure, in fact, however he has to grow to be the unhealthy man first. On this film we solely see him confront the Emperor after consuming the blue water to realize readability along with his visions. Within the last act, he begins veering in direction of being the evil bastard that he is destined (maybe? maybe not?) to grow to be. Due to the Bene Gesserit’s whispers & plans. Nevertheless, up till that second, up till he drinks the “worm piss”, he truly is a “good man.” Actually. Take a more in-depth look if you watch Half Two once more. He refuses to go south understanding it’ll take him to a really unhealthy place. He fights for the Fremen, with the Fremen, adopting their beliefs and mindset. He expresses his need to assist them and be an instance of an vital fighter, even when he’s killed, so the subsequent technology could comply with in his footsteps. He desires to do good. He admires the Fremen and their methods. He’s attempting his hardest to not flip evil – however the Bene Gesserit get the very best of him and he falls for his or her whispers. And, properly, the remainder is historical past…
That is when the film digs deeper into the darker facet of the galaxy. My third viewing introduced a harrowing query to thoughts: Can somebody wield this a lot extraordinary energy (e.g. management over Spice) and be good? Or will they inevitably at all times be evil? Basically, is oppression required in a way to efficiently exploit, promote, and handle an especially useful useful resource? That is the core of Dune: Half Two total. The opening phrase uttered on this darkish, guttural alien language earlier than the Warner Bros brand comes up states: “Energy over Spice is energy over all.” Sure, which means energy & management are intertwined, and there actually is not any solution to management the Spice with out having approach an excessive amount of energy (since it is a very important useful resource wanted for intergalactic house journey). There may be even a second on this film the place Paul quietly mutters that he’s not fearful about gaining management over Arrakis, he’s fearful about having an excessive amount of energy and this energy will corrupt him. Let’s not overlook the basic quote: “Energy tends to deprave; absolute energy corrupts completely,” acknowledged by British historian Lord Acton. Even on Earth, it appears to be an absolute reality, thus prolonged into the Dune universe, it does make you surprise: is there actually any approach Paul may acquire sufficient energy to free the Fremen and Arrakis and not be corrupted by that a lot energy? Herbert’s novels say: no.
These conversant in the books know that the story is actually a breakdown of the savior trope, displaying there is no such thing as a practicality of an actual hero. It’s unattainable for there to be a holy savior on Arrakis. The Fremen imagine in a single, due to course, as Chani states in Half Two – the Bene Gesserit have planted this thought and it provides them some false hope to carry onto and look ahead to. Even when meaning ready centuries. When you step again and study Paul’s arc in Half Two, it actually is a superb tragedy, akin to Shakespeare’s tragedies of nice males falling into spirals of despair & madness. One compelling response from a viewer on Twitter states: “Dune: Half Two has left me in creative euphoria, and likewise philosophical heartbreak. THAT is what true artwork is for. To remind us what it’s to be human.” Referring to what occurs as “philosophical heartbreak” is attention-grabbing as a result of it is attempting to reckon with Paul’s nice battle on this film: try to avoid wasting the Fremen, take down the Emperor, change the galaxy endlessly; however to try this strategically he should marry the Emperor’s daughter, which suggests betraying Chani, which suggests betraying the Fremen. That is barely totally different from the guide, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an emotional wallop and fairly overwhelming if you sit via it for the primary time.
As spectacularly entertaining & superior as Dune: Half Two is as a sci-fi blockbuster, it is also chock stuffed with heavy feelings and interesting philosophical implications. I’m in awe of what I am seeing on display, whereas additionally in awe of all that’s racing via my thoughts as regards to the Fremen and their struggle on Arrakis and the management of Spice. Within the first film, I beloved seeing Paul rise to the decision to guide a revolution, taking place a path he was not anticipating to take. Within the second film, I am rocked by his flip, and the way his destiny appears to be out of his management, regardless of how exhausting he tries. I do not like this concept that our destiny is not ours to regulate, very like Neo in The Matrix. Not like The Matrix, although, Paul’s path leads him to darkness it doesn’t matter what hope I’ve watching his story. The Emperor explains close to the top that Duke Leto Atreides dominated from the center, and that made him “weak”, ergo he needed to be eradicated. I need Paul to rule from his coronary heart, to be a pacesetter who brings good to the galaxy. However maybe that’s not attainable when half the individuals on a planet look as much as you as a God. On the finish of this second film, we’re left questioning what’s going to occur subsequent when Paul decides to begin a Holy Struggle in opposition to the opposite Homes of the galaxy. Alas, the books inform us his future is not one.
Chani is correct all alongside: “This ‘prophecy’ is how they enslave us!” Nobody desires to pay attention, or settle for it, however she is aware of the reality. Despite the fact that she loves Paul and despite the fact that she is aware of him properly, the scary reality is that his path will lead them farther from the place they need to be, in direction of even darker instances for the Fremen. This tragic story continues to make me surprise: how can we truly defeat oppressors and obtain peace and freedom for all? Can a violent revolution even end in peace ultimately? Or will it at all times result in extra conflict?
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