Dune Review
The epic we’ve been waiting for
Far-future politics and space-age technology. A psychedelic upon which civilization is dependent. The bastard offspring of a duke and a mystic. Giant sandworms. Whether new to the story or a returning fan eagerly awaiting the rise of the Kwisatz Haderach, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune (2021) is a fresh recreation of a long-standing cult classic.
From the first prophetic visions in Paul’s dreams to the first encounter with a giant sandworm, I was thrilled by the sights Dune has to offer. I especially appreciate the handling of melee combat and the depiction of the personal body shields used by warriors, the deflecting of blows showing blue while the breaching of the shield being an alarming red — every death feels visceral without any real gore.
I will say that, as an enthusiast of Frank Herbert’s original 1965 book, I was hoping for a different experience than was delivered. Perhaps it was because I didn’t know Dune would be a two-parter; it wasn’t until halfway through the movie as we languished over one view or another that I realized the pacing would never permit for the ending to come inside of the 2h 35m-long film.
That being said, Dune is not weak. Though one may say we “languished” over varying scenes, especially tremendous views of setting-building landscapes and buildings or hyper-cool technology, I acknowledge that I may be coming to this conclusion with a bit of an edge as I expected more to happen within the story than could be done at its pace. Furthermore, the visuals are tremendous, and if it seems as though I continue harping on this, it is because they really are blow-you-away good.
Boasting a star-studded cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and many more, Dune’s actors really bring the story home. Though one may complain of slow pacing in other scenes, the interactions between characters are natural, offer enough exposition to catch us up on the politics, and endear the characters and their relationships to the audience without growing dull or sappy. Honestly, though the CGI department outdid themselves with this film, the writing, acting, and directing transform Dune from what could have been left at the visually-entertaining theater experience into the dramatic bildungsroman of an exceptionally-capable Paul Atreides.
This movie was made for the new generation of sci-fi/fantasy lovers. Dune doesn’t spend time explaining how a Bene Gesserit can use the voice to compel someone to kill others. It doesn’t expound on the history of spice mining, its origin, or how its chemical composition affects the brain. Dune instead spends its time showing us the characters’ relationships, the political maneuverings of the different families, and the breathtaking sights of far-future technology and Arrakis.
Though the days of expounding upon the possibilities and implications of technological progress are not gone, Dune eschews from the sci-fi research and instead favors the fantasy approach of trusting in our suspension of disbelief. And because the story is less about the science and more about the people — as all science fiction is meant to be — I say: go for it!
Between the fantastic visuals, convincing characters, and compelling storyline, I give Dune a 4.5/5 rating. Though the cadence of the film makes it longer than absolutely needs be, all that is delivered is well worth any viewer’s patience, making Dune one of the must-see films of 2021.
Barnard Street Tattler 