All the science fiction references in Dune: Part 2

Dune: Part 2 is a profound story about a predestined messiah at the center of an intergalactic world. A theme that science fiction has explored for decades and which finds its best dimension in film.

Dune: part 2 It is on a colossal scale. Not only because of the proportions of the world, which director Denis Villeneuve explores and which are taken directly from Frank Herbert’s book. Moreover, it deals with the depth of concepts and issues. The seminal saga of science fiction carefully explores the idea of ​​fate, purpose and ideological struggle, turned into a religion. All of the themes that the film carefully portrays and explores like cinematic assets detail an astonishing visual epic.

But, of course, this is not the first time that the story of a leader born into adversity and called upon to save the big world has come to cinema. Much more in the realm of science fiction and the way of building a long path that will lead the hero to the pinnacle of his capabilities. In particular, when it comes to a literary story about Dune, there is an interesting fact. Being the most important work for understanding the genre in our time, its main provisions have somehow reached the cinema. Hence Dune 2 a reference not only to a significant part of science fiction films, but also to At the same time, it is inevitable that there will be plot connections with each of them.

We leave you with some of the films related to science fiction, presented in the film by Denis Villeneuve. From the rise of a messiah who will fight against the machines, to an extraordinary place that a reluctant leader must defend. The choice shows how Dune 2 It summarizes a good part of the experience of the genre in the seventh art.

Terminator Saga

In 1984, James Cameron took the image of a messiah destined to fight for a great cause and took it to the stage of the uprising of nascent artificial intelligence. The result was “The Terminator,” the beginning of a saga of seven feature films that explore the same theme from different angles. Namely, how John Connor (played successively by Edward Furlong, Christian Bale, Nick Stahl and Thomas Dekker) is meant to be the center of hope. And this is in the midst of a battle with machines and the possible destruction of the human race.

Dune 2, explores the evolution of a leader who doesn’t know he is one, or at least doesn’t believe he is one, as detailed in Cameron’s saga. From the sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) before Terminator: Salvation (2009), the main idea revolves around how John must take on his role in the story. This is despite the fact that they do not know very well where to direct their efforts or do not immediately understand what they should do for the benefit of the common good. An element of great interest that Denis Villeneuve’s film deepens step by step into an ambitious epic.

Stargate: Time Gate

Roland Emmerich, known for his films about catastrophic disasters, explored the idea of ​​a world searching for a messiah in Stargate: Time Gate. The 1994 film that spawned the hit series transforms the great pyramids of Egypt into doors to alternate dimensions and realities. Which, moreover, carries with it the idea of ​​a leader – or his group – who must fight against power corrupted by greed.

Of course, showing ancient cultures as shadows of a more advanced civilization gives the premise a bigger, more thoughtful feel. But Emmerich also adds an element that can also be found in Dune 2. Complex mythology related to the thousand-year war. Gradually the plot moves towards difficult parts of the battle between the oppressed people and the dictatorial priestly caste. An unhealthy play of influences, which Denis Villeneuve’s film also deepens.

Matrix Saga

The Wachowski sisters took several complex storylines from the literary saga. Dune and they took her to a cyberpunk atmosphere. The result was a tetralogy that successfully combines philosophy, religion, mythology, as well as the image of a messiah who is destined to change history. Moreover, the franchise explores the same ideas Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) in Dune 2. Namely, the chosen one, whose confidence in his destiny fluctuates between doubt and bewilderment.

Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers that the world as he knows it is an illusion. But he is much more difficult to assimilate, since he is apparently chosen to fight the dominance of the machines that keep the human race in slavery. However, like Paul Atreides, he doubts his ability to lead such a company. Especially when everything connected with your destiny has mystical overtones or even some kind of supernatural connotation.

But eventually, like Paul Atreides, he will discover that self-fulfilling prophecy is also a way to follow a path that transcends him. Both Paul and Neo will find that their decisions will lead them to the same crossroads again and again. This means: to take the position of a visible head during the revolution.

Saga “The Chronicles of Riddick”

David Twohy’s film series, which has a complex history, touches on the same themes as Dune 2, although in a sense this is more related to the state of warriors. Thus, the Necrofers, a race of undead wealth seeking, are the equivalent of House Harkonnen. Only instead of seeking political power, they try to create a violent state to expand their biological dominance.

On the other side, Richard B. Riddick (Vin Diesel) fits the bill to become a messiah in the midst of a nascent revolution. The character moves from film to film to explore the idea of ​​a semi-messianic leadership destined to oppose a powerful group. But, like Paul, Riddick is trying to find his place in a battle of interests that is much broader than one might expect. This forces the film to delve deeper into the most famous elements of the saga. Dune Frank Herbert.

Avatar

James Cameron’s massive project, which has turned into a decades-long franchise, centers on a man searching for purpose. A character with obvious kinship to a character described by Frank Herbert in his book. like the one analyzed by Denis Villeneuve in Dune 2.

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a soldier who, stranded in the wilds of the planet Pandora, will eventually be assimilated into the culture that inhabits it. The Na’vi would become not only his people, but also his family. And all this in the context of an apparently predetermined destiny that will lead Jake to save the lives of the natives in the midst of a colonial attack.

The same thing happens to Paul Atreides, who eventually becomes part of the Fremen tribe amid relentless trials and remarkable spiritual evolution. Jake, like Paul, will eventually put aside his personal stories to fight alongside his newfound tribal family. This makes the story a representation of faith, time and hope.