Jakarta. The science fiction movie “Dune: Part Two” has officially hit theaters in Indonesia. 

“Dune: Part Two” follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) who seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. In his quest, Paul unites with the Fremen --the people inhabiting the desert planet of Arrakis -- and the tribe’s warrior Chani (Zendaya). The movie also explores the theme of faith, as Paul turns into the messiah Lisan Al-Gaib, whom the Fremen believe is their savior. While the movie is almost 3-hour long, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve managed to pack the tale in a visually and acoustically pleasing film. 

As expected, a large part of the movie takes place in Arrakis with incredible amounts of desert landscape shots. The Fremen’s grey still suits would often collect sand and turn somewhat light brownish, making them one with the dunes. On the arid planet, the Fremen’s eyes turn an electric blue when they consume a lot of the coveted spice melange. Water is sacred to the Fremen due to its rarity to the point where the tribe would distill water from the dead. In the desert world in which water is scarce, the striking blue eyes are reminiscent of an oasis.

Villain Feyd-Rautha’s gladiator games are also among the movie’s worth-mentioning moments. In a fight that is supposed to be bloody red, Villeneuve decided to make the fight take place in entirely black-and-white scenes. The choice of color makes Feyd-Rautha --an already psychotic character thanks to Austin Butler’s great acting-- appear as a more frightening individual.

There are times when it feels as if we are watching a dance performance. Chani grows to be Paul’s romantic interest in “Dune: Part Two”. In the first half of the film, Chani teaches Paul how to sand walk through the open desert. How they drag their feet delicately in sync among the vast dunes is eye-pleasing, and also heartwarming.

“Dune: Part Two” knows how to build the atmosphere with sound and music. 

Paul rides a Shai-Hulud sandworm to prove himself to the Fremen. To summon the gigantic sandworm, Paul has to use a device called a thumper, which he then installs on the ground. The device produces a pounding sound -- similar to one’s heartbeat. It is pretty clever for the film to not play any music when the thumper device does its work. All the audience can hear is the thumper and Paul’s heavy breaths. It builds suspense, be it for Paul, the Fremen watching on the sides, and the audience since the exiled duke could easily fall off the sandworm. As soon as Paul gets the hang of the sandworm, composer Hans Zimmer’s triumphant “Worm Ride” plays.

Zimmer’s “Beginnings Are Such Delicate Times” also deserves applause. The score really takes the audience away from reality and into the world of Dune.