“Lord of the Rings” and “Star Wars” comparisons are big shoes to fill for a 1965 400-page book that was often called “unadaptable.”

But “Dune: Part Two” knocks these comparisons out of the water.

The film, a second part to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film “Dune,” adapts the second half of the Frank Herbert novel and starts right where we left off.

The last we saw Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his Bene Gesserit mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), they were taken in by the dutiful Fremen (Javier Bardem, Zendaya) after their family was massacred by the evil Baron Vladamir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgȁrd) and his nephew the Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) in an evil plot to take over the planet Arrakis, or “Dune.”

“Part Two” dives much deeper into Paul’s possible problematic future and addresses the novel’s long-fraught argument about whether he is a white savior. Both sides are rendered valid here as Paul himself sees the dangerous implications of becoming the Lisan al-Gaib: he sees many possible futures of billions of people dying because of their allegiance to him.

Chalamet is no longer the shy princeling of part one and has much more to grasp here. The character becomes more filled with the wisdom of his possible destinies as the film goes on, complete with a stirring monologue in the second act.

Zendaya is given much more than her 10 minutes in “Dune” as Chani becomes Paul’s primary love interest and a warrior in her own right.

It’s the relationship between Paul and Chani that ultimately grounds the film that has a lot going on around it: plotlines are intertwining, Paul is becoming a messiah of sorts and new characters are being introduced. But Villeneuve takes time to develop their romance more slowly and carefully than the novel cared to.

These scenes provide a respite from the space drama occurring all around the film to reveal the true heart of the film: two young people forging a relationship with each other despite their universe-threatening circumstances and predicted futures that they didn’t choose.

The script gives the book a much-needed update to focus more on the women characters, especially Chani, who has a hard time grappling with Paul’s dreams of power and revenge.

Villeneuve and his Academy Award-winning duo of Cinematographer Greig Frasier and Editor Joe Walker are back to what they do best here, once again providing awe-inspiring visuals that make every shot look like it belongs in a museum.

Villeneuve is again shooting movies like no one else has ever done before: watch out for the stunning Harkonnen gladiator scene that was shot on an infrared camera.

As for the rest of the cast, “Part Two” adds to the starry ensemble with Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam Corrino and Léa Seydoux as Lady Fenring.

Most of this cast do what they can with limited screen time, but Butler stands out as unrecognizable as the psychopathic swordsman: no Elvis accent here!

But the cherry on top of it all is Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score, an even better match to his Oscar-winning score for part one. Zimmer continues his use of alien instruments and sounds but also brings a more grounded and melodic sound to smaller scenes, particularly the ones between Paul and Chani.

“‘Dune was boring” complainers take note: “Part Two” is much more action-packed than the often exposition-filled part one. Gone are the explanations about how the world works and who the characters are. Here to stay are intense action sequences that will get your blood pumping.

If you’re hoping to see this part without knowing the book or seeing the first part, though, good luck. The film relies on a lot of established plot points and ideas of “Dune” and might thus render a blind ticket buyer ultimately confused.

“Part Two” certainly won’t be an easy weekend sit-and-watch film with your friends (it’s over two and a half hours long), but it’s grappling with white savior tropes and real-life criticisms over the U.S.’ treatment of the Middle East make it much worth your foot falling asleep two hours in.

This mixing of craftsmanship and technical prowess in a film is a rare occurrence in the filmmaking of today, so don’t miss out.

“Dune: Part Two” releases in theaters on Friday, March 1, 2024.

Anya Capistrant-Kinney can be reached at capi2087@stthomas.edu.