A big, bold, beautiful piece of science fiction
The sand is everywhere. It’s in the cracks, in the crevices of the dune, in the way that the sun reflects off of it. Although there are no real cracks to show, Dune is a tightly constructed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 work and is much better than David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation which was beautiful to look at but flawed, largely due to the studio interference that scuppered the Twin Peaks directors’ vision.
There are no signs of studio interference with this latest release. Denis Villeneuve, who has already proven his ability to create a piece of science-fiction on an epic and thoughtful scale with Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, is clearly in charge with his version of Dune. The film is big, bold, visually fantastic, and perfectly in tune with a director who has imagination to spare. ..
This faithful adaptation of the novel is a good thing, as it gives Villeneuve the time to build world-building that is deserved. If the entire novel had to be squeezed into one film, it would have surpassed its already long running time (2 hours and 35 minutes), and certain key scenes may have been missed if the studio decided to aim for brevity.
The film tells the story of Paul Atreides, a young man who is thrust into a life-altering role when his father, Duke Leto Atreides, accepts control of the planet Arrakis. The decision means that Paul must lead the people of Arrakis in order to maintain spice production as an important part of the empire. This is a life-changing experience for Paul, who must learn to govern and lead his people while also facing challenges that are unique to Arrakis.
The drug is highly sought after for its mystical and medicinal properties, but access to it is difficult because of the giant sandworms that are responsible for its production. ..
This is a science fiction movie set in the future, and it follows the story of a group of people who are sent to explore an alien planet. While there they come into contact with a race of creatures that are very different from anything humans have ever seen. The film is full of action and adventure, but it’s also full of thought-provoking questions about the future.
Both “Dune” and “The Maze Runner” have a desert planet, forces that give their users mental and physical abilities, political factions that serve both good and evil causes, and a young man cited as the ‘chosen one.’ But in Herbert’s work (and the film adaptation), there are more attempts at humour (there are several comical droids to fall back on for light relief here) and the focus is on conversation and not gun battles and space combat. ..
This film is not all action and excitement. There are some impressive set pieces, but the bulk of the film is filled with self-reflection, ominous political conversation, and dialogue exposition that is largely there to explain the workings of the Duniverse to the audience. These scenes aren’t necessarily boring, but they may stretch the patience of those who want light relief from the film’s sombre tone.
The film will be a great way to spend an afternoon if you’re a fan of the novel. It will give you all the feels of the novel, with all the new characters and plot developments. If you’re not a fan of the novel, it’s still worth checking out. The film is well-made and has some great acting, so it should be entertaining regardless of your opinion on the book.
In a story that explores the power of the Force, young Paul Atreides is introduced to the powerful voice power that equals the Force for controlling the will of others. Other characters also make an impact, including Duncan Idaho (the aforementioned Jason Momoa) as the sworn protector of House Atreides and weapon master Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) who trains Paul in the way of combat.
Some viewers of the film may find it difficult to follow the political machinations because they are not familiar with the novel. The tone of the film is heavy and portentous, and some elements of the story are confusing. However, a rewatch will help viewers understand the characters and their motivations more clearly. However, for those who are looking for an easy watch on a Friday night, this may not be the movie for them. ..
Villeneuve’s ambitious vision is impressively mounted but may not be enough to take the viewer on a journey of awe.
I thoroughly enjoyed the film, despite its length and the sometimes complicated cosmic politics. I enjoyed the rich visual detail, the throbbing music score, and the performances of the supremely talented cast.
After watching “The Martian,” I was excited to see what would come next. This is a rare occurrence in science fiction, and if you are willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the story, I’m sure you will too. ..
