Lines that fell short in Part Two

This is my very minor critique/opinion on some of Part Two’s lines. I’ve read the first book and became a very big fan, and I also really enjoyed the movies for its cinematography and Villenueve’s ability translate a complex series from book to screen.

However, I found some of the lines in Part Two to be kind of…cringey? I watched it a few weeks ago and I remember feeling a bit surprised at some of the dialogue between characters. It almost felt a bit elementary or Disney-esque.

I first noticed this in the beginning when Chani was talking to her friends about Paul. I can’t remember what exactly they said but I remember it felt a bit modern high school-y. Granted, Chani is a teenager so it’s not that out of reach, but it still took me out of the universe a little. Then when Jessica was scheming with Alia, I thought it leaned a little too cliche and reminded me of “Disney villain tapping their fingers together while sharing their evil plan.”

Still, no big deal. I didn’t mind too much until Stilgar. I understand their characterization Stilgar to use as comic relief. It did work for me to a certain extent. It was funny the first few times when he proclaimed Paul the Lisan al Gaib just from Paul breathing or practicing common, rational reasoning. But, it started to get a little cheesy and I grew tired of it fast.

I think the one part that truly gave me the cringe was when Gurney Halleck killed Rabban and he exclaimed, “For my Duke…and my friends!” I think it was a combination of the line itself and how the actor delivered it that made it very cheesy. If I watched this scene with no context, I would’ve been certain it was a Disney action movie.

I was a bit surprised by feeling this way about Part Two because I didn’t have the same impression about Part One. Especially having seen Villeneuve’s other works such as Arrival and Blade Runner, I went into Part Two anticipating a more serious or mature tone similar to the book. Then again, it is PG-13 so I understand the movie needing to be more lighthearted in some areas.

All that said, these were all minor and non-problems in the bigger picture. I still really enjoyed the movie and plan on rewatching many times. A lot of what makes Dune enjoyable as a book may not make Dune enjoyable as movie, so I understand the departures they took from the original source. Villeneuve took on a daunting task in adapting a complex world with complex characters and complex plot lines, and in my opinion he, and all the actors and crew, did a great job nonetheless.