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

The following submit incorporates spoilers for the primary Dune film — however not for Part Two. 

It’s proper there within the title: This is Dune: Part Two. 

Not Dune 2, not The Second Dune, not Dune: Fremenemies For Life. (Although that final one has a extremely beautiful ring, I feel.) It’s Dune colon Part Two, indicating that that is the second portion of a bigger story, one you may not absolutely grasp when you missed Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 Dune primarily based on Frank Herbert’s basic sci-fi novel.

Then once more, some motion pictures shove the phrase “Part 2” of their title to make it appear to be they’re a vital a part of a narrative when, actually, they’re nothing greater than a shameless money seize. (Remember The Last Exorcism Part II? It wasn’t the second a part of something! Part II was only a determined try to get round the truth that the primary film was supposedly concerning the final exorcism!)

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

So what’s Dune: Part Two? Do you want to see (or revisit) Dune to absolutely comply with the sequel?

The brief reply: Yes. Here is why.

Why You Should See Dune Before Dune: Part Two

READ MORE: 10 Sequels That Are Better Than the Original

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

That film lined about half of Herbert’s unique novel 1965. Dune: Part Two covers the remaining — and with only a few concessions to those that may need missed the primary half or forgotten its specifics within the interim. This is a real Part Two by and thru.

It’s additionally not one which dwells on what’s come earlier than. There isn’t any “Previously, on Dune” montage throughout 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 each other.

Instead, Dune: Part Two picks up the place Dune left off. A number of opening voiceover traces allude to the occasions of the final film, however until you already know who House Atreides and House Harkonnen are, they received’t imply a lot to you. In reality, Dune: Part Two feels prefer it was designed to be watched back-to-back with the primary movie as an enormous five-hour marathon. (If they ever launch them in theaters as a double characteristic, I’ll be the primary one in line.)

If You Can’t See Dune Before Dune: Part Two, Here’s What You Must 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: Part Two. I rewatched the primary movie the evening earlier than my Part Two screening, and I used to be undoubtedly glad I did.

But 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 best way.) If you possibly can’t see Dune for no matter cause, right here’s the naked minimal of knowledge you want to know:

Dune: Part 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 basically the one survivors of an assault on the Atreides household by House Harkonnen. The combat 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.)

In addition to being Paul’s mom, Jessica can also be a part of the “Bene Gesserit,” a bunch of ladies with huge 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 could be very uncommon for a person.

The Harkonnens have been the previous stewards of Arrakis; the Emperor ordered House Atreides, led by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) to change the Harkonnens because the planet’s overseers in the beginning of Dune. Where 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 discovered to dwell in concord with the enormous sandworms who wander its huge deserts.

Before Leto may carry 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 ultimately 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 battle in opposition to the Harkonnen. This Fremen tribe additionally consists of Chani (Zendaya), who Paul had been having prophetic visions about, thanks to his Bene Gesserit genes and his publicity to spice on Arrakis.

That principally brings you up to pace. As Dune: Part Two begins, Paul and Jessica have nowhere else to flip and should strive to assimilate into the Fremen, who’re usually unwelcoming to outsiders. Paul desires to take revenge in opposition to the Harkonnen for the dying of his household, however he additionally believes, thanks to his visions, that doing so could lead on to dying and chaos for a lot of the galaxy.

Should You See Dune: Part Two?

Absolutely. It may sound a bit of impenetrable from my transient overview of the plot, however that’s form of the magic of Denis Villeneuve’s motion pictures; they sound bizarre on paper however up on the display, all of it appears believable and tactile and actual. So watch Dune after which make a journey to Arrakis for Part Two as quickly as you possibly can.

Check out our full (however spoiler-free) evaluate of Dune: Part Two right here.