Dune review

DUNE:

DENIS VILLENEUVE’S RETELLING OF CLASSIC SCIENCE-FICTION NOVEL IS AMBITIOUS AND DAZZLING IF NOT A LITTLE CLUNKY AT TIMES! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Jason Momoa, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and Oscar Isaac in Dune

 

            The world of Frank Herbert’s beloved science-fiction novel has been retold in the new film adaptation of Dune, brought to us from director, Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049) and features an all-star cast. This wouldn’t be the first time Herbert’s book was adapted to the screen as there was previously a 1984 film based on Dune that was directed by David Lynch which was undoubtably ambitious especially at the time, but plot wise, was a huge mess…though it does have its fans. 

            I’ve never read the book before, so I won’t be able to compare this film to the source material though I am familiar with Lynch’s adaptation so I might make a few comparisons to that film in this review. Thankfully, you don’t have to watch the 1984 movie prior to this one as it’s a retelling of the original book and not a remake of the previous film. 

            I will say Villeneuve’s film does a much better job fleshing out the story and establishing the worlds and (most of the) characters than in the Lynch version. Keep in mind this is only “Part One” of a planned two-part adaptation of the story which is very important to know when going into it and will hopefully lead to a Part Two if the film is successful enough. 

            Much like Villeneuve’s previous film, Blade Runner 2049, if you’re going in expecting this grand, epic movie with non-stop action, lasers, and explosions, it’s not that kind of movie. It is definitely grand, and it is epic (Especially in theaters), but it’s a very slow-burn, character driven film that’s more about world building and atmosphere rather than flashy space action, I can see that as a turnoff point for many, I just want to make that clear to those expecting a non-stop action film. 

            The film follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet-Men, Women & Children, Call Me by Your Name, Lady Bird), a brilliant and gifted young man who was born into a great destiny beyond his understanding as well as his imagination. His mission is to travel to Arrakis, the most dangerous planet in the galaxy, but is the only planet with spice, a valuable and vital substance that’s required for interstellar travel and extends human life, to ensure the future of his family and his people. 

            However, as dark forces begin to rise in a conflict regarding the spice, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive. Paul will have to use all of his wits and skills to accomplish the mission and rise up to fulfill his father’s goal of bringing peace to Arrakis. 

            The film also stars Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation/Fallout, The Girl on the Train, Doctor Sleep) as Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex-Machina, Star Wars sequel trilogy) as Leto, Josh Brolin (True Grit (2010), Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool 2) as Gurney Halleck, Stellen Skarsgård (The Hunt for Red October, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3, Marvel Cinematic Universe) as the Baron, Dave Bautista (Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spectre, Stuber) as Glossu Rabban, Zendaya (Spider-Man trilogy (MCU), The Greatest Showman, Space Jam: A New Legacy) as Chani, Jason Momoa (Stargate Atlantis, Game of Thrones, DC Extended Universe) as Duncan Idaho, Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, Mother!) as Stilgar, and Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Bad Girls, EastEnders, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) as Dr. Liet Kynes. 

            Overall, Dune may not be Denis Villeneuve’s best work and at times the narrative does get a little clunky at times, but it’s nonetheless a very well-crafted movie…no, wait, movie doesn’t cut it…this is a spectacle! From the size and scope to the dazzling visual effects and imaginative worlds and creatures, this is a movie that 100% belongs on the big screen, DO NOT stream it on HBO Max as you are only getting a fraction of the Dune experience. 

            Whether it’s standard, 3D, IMAX, etc. this film is breathtaking in the visuals department and the size and scope of the big screen makes it feel like you’re right there. 

As a film, it gives more context to how this world works and is a lot better paced compared to the Lynch film. It also hits a lot of familiar beats as the 1984 movie such as the tooth that unleashes poison gas, stopping the dart, etc. and honestly, I was shocked at how similar both these movies are in terms of certain story elements, this one just executes them way better. 

             This version is also better paced than the 1984 film and does a stronger job establishing the characters, environments, and situations. Especially because this is only half of a much-larger story which gives the film more time to breathe and add in as much from the source material as possible. 

            For the most part, the acting is top notch as this film features an all-star cast, Josh Brolin with his dry sense of humor, Jason Momoa’s charismatic, bro-like persona, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Oscar Isaac are all excellent while as compelling Zendaya is as Chani, she isn’t in much of the movie other than during the third act which may disappoint some, but in the few scenes that she’s in, she knocks it out of the park. 

If I had to criticize one of the characters, it’d be Paul himself, Timothée Chalamet plays the character fine, but for me I found him to be kind of a blank slate and basically another one of those chosen one characters who isn’t all that interesting, but everyone glorifies him and says that he has been chosen for a reason. Much like Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, or Neo from The Matrix, and a common case of the protagonist not being as interesting or compelling as the side characters, he’s not bad, just very generic. 

            I also found the second half to be a bit underwhelming, the first half did such an amazing job luring me into the story and characters while the second half is a long, drawn-out teaser for the second movie (if it gets made), this is a two-and-a-half-hour movie and once it got to the third act, I did start to notice the runtime a little. 

            It may not be for everyone, and it does have some flaws, but this new version of Dune is something that must be seen on the biggest screen possible. Boasting a star-studded cast, gorgeous cinematography, dazzling special effects, and plenty of ambition, this is easily the best Dune film (Though that’s not much of an accomplishment) and I look forward to hopefully seeing Dune: Part Two. If you’re a fan of sci-fi adventures and especially a fan of the book or any of the previous adaptations, this is one trip to Arrakis not to be missed.