Synopsis:
Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Is anyone ever completely ready for new titles or roles and the responsibility that comes with them? Whether you’re becoming a boss, a parent, a soldier, the sole provider, an adult, or a friend, no matter how much you prepare, it never quite compares to reality. However, in most cases, some preparation is better than none at all. You’ll be filled with fear, doubt, and a feeling in the pit of your stomach that is either nerves or the sketchy leftovers that you should’ve tossed out days ago, but you thought that it smelled okay. You can’t let any of that stop you because you were put in these positions for a reason. Even if you feel as if you don’t deserve a certain title, you’re in it now, so prove yourself that you belong there. None of us really know what we’re doing in the grand scheme of things, all you can do is give it your best effort and learn from the failure and successes of those before you.
“Dreams make good stories, but everything important happens when we’re awake.”
Strap in for what may be the beginning of the greatest sci-fi saga of all time. Based on the 1965 novel of the same by Frank Herbert, Dune is a stunning sci-fi epic that rivals anything in its class. Without question, this is visually the most breathtaking film of the year. From the grandiose spacecraft and settings to the futuristic tech and costume design, whatever amazed you in the trailers is incomparable to what it looks like on the big screen. Do what you want, but this is a film that begs to be seen in theaters. This vast hero’s journey as well as the universe it takes place in, makes you feel small in comparison but in the best way possible. Having only a morsel-sized knowledge base of the Dune universe, being introduced to it this way filled me with wonderment as I became truly immersed in the year 10191. Even the most diehard fan of the book series will be impressed as they see the worlds they’ve envisioned presented in such an astonishing fashion. This film unravels a complex universe before your eyes, masterfully teaching you its ways as it moves along. It’s a tale of deception, politics, war, duty, family, growth, discovery, and secrets. It’s easy to see why the franchise has such a cult following. With its explosive battle scenes, a mystical shadow society, and gargantuan god, you’d be hard-pressed to find a dull moment. Its amazing score encapsulates its otherworldliness, it’s written extremely well, phenomenally directed, and leaves you wanting more. Not to mention, with the way it ends, more is what we will be getting. The only disclaimer I have is that the trailers sell you on some things that don’t quite unfold as they make it seem. However, the future of this franchise looks bright with Denis Villeneuve at the helm. Needless to say, I enjoyed and was very impressed by Dune. Its rewatchability is high.
Pacing & Pop
I found the pacing of the film to be perfect. With how much the content the film had to cover, it was able to deliver an abundance of story, characters, and action while not feeling rushed or having to move into the three-hour range. What popped for me was the pure spectacle of the film. It’s such a stunning film that you can get lost in the visuals and forget the story.
Characters & Chemistry
The film stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
When you see a cast of this caliber, you expect palpable chemistry, effortless delivery, and electric performances. And that is exactly what we get. While everyone did phenomenally, there are three performances that really stuck out to me. That is the performances of Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, and Stellan Skarsgård as Vladimir Harkonnen. Paul is a reluctant and intelligent son of a Duke that is more powerful and brave than he could ever imagine. Lady Jessica is Paul’s mother and while teaching her son her mystical ways, she holds secrets of her own, including a prophecy. Vladimir Harkonnen is a dark presence that will do whatever it takes to secure his riches and remain in power. Chalamet proves he is made for blockbusters as he snatches every scene for himself. Ferguson delivers such a mysterious and enchanting performance that you can help but want to see more of her. And Skarsgård’s ruthless performance is one that I can’t wait to see more of.
Dune was released in select theaters in 2D and 3D and IMAX and on HBO Max on October 22, 2021, and will be available on HBO Max’s Ad-Free
plan in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos (English Only) on supported devices for31 days from the theatrical release. Stay safe and enjoy.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writers: Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Costume Design: Robert Morgan, Jacqueline West
Producers: Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve, Cale Boyter, Joe Caracciolo Jr
Executive Producers: Tanya Lapointe, Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 36m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
