Dune II * * * *

When you keep telling your girlfriend you're The Messiah but she won't believe you.

I thought the last  Dune was chock full of references, but this one goes right over the top: Palestine, The Israelites, the Messiah, Religious Faith, Miracle Workers, Shakespeare again - this time Romeo and Juliet and a bit of Macbeth,  Mind expanding drugs, and as a bonus extra, Colosseum type gladiatorial contests. 

I mean let's face it, there is nothing new anymore and all stories are indebted, but does it really have to choose so many references?  In some ways it's sources of inspiration is just an hysterical mess, yet, I must admit,  it is so well done you happily go along with it.  And Dune is very well done.  It's probably the best big screen spectacular I have ever seen.   

When the spaceships land and take off in Dune the ground shakes.  The size of them is awesome.  The interiors of buildings are cavernous with soaring ceilings and doors the size of cathedrals. Then there are the gigantic worms, as big and as long as a train.  The worms seem to be happy to help the locals by giving the people a free ride.  You just have to know how to mount and ride one.

In Dune there is little attempt to make aliens look different.  Nearly all are human like in appearance and possessing all the flaws and worst traits of humans: greed, selfishness, cruelty. Indeed the invaders are so wicked, a Messiah is needed.  One that looks like Timothy Chalmet would be good.  

Tim who plays Paul might look a bit weedy compared to the other blokes but boy, when he gets his power trip on, he's not to be messed with!

In the last Dune we saw him and his very youthful Mum (think Virgin Mary mixed in with warrior queen and some frightening women-only power) wander off into the desert after the Atreides people were wiped out.  They met up with the locals (those gorgeous looking people with their stunning blue eyes and flowing Arabic robes).  After a testing scrap Paul and Mum were adopted.  

Now most of the locals are pretty sure Paul is the Messiah.  There are a few dissidents who mock those of faith, including, unfortunately, his new girlfriend. She thinks all believers are idiots.

Those of faith believe the Messiah will bring liberation and water.  Water is so short here it is considered a crime to waste your own bodily discharge.  After two and three quarter hours I was thinking, "You can have mine!"

They recycle everything. They suck the water out of the bodies of the slaughtered enemy.  I guess no one has had a shower for a long long time. 

In the meantime they have to figure out how to kick out the new merciless conquerors.  Come on Messiah show us the way.  

I'm still a bit confused why ten thousand years into the future they are fighting with swords and knives like mediaeval knights, and why their biggest threat is atomic warheads.  Given the advancements in other areas, nothing makes sense, but what the heck. 

It's not as childish as Star Wars or as repetitively boring as Avatar In fact, at the showing I went to there were quite a few walk-outs from the under twenties, who might have been expecting a different SF Story.

Personally I enjoyed it.  Though I'd advise you to see the other one again first or you might be a bit lost. 

Still, enough is enough, and I thought this was going to be the wrap-up.  Fraid not.  We are left on the knife edge. Apparently Dune 3 is five years away which undoubtedly means I will have to watch this and the other one again to catch up first.