Synopsis

From Warner Bros:

A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of 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.

Review

I was never a big reader when I was a kid. When I was really young, I read all the Dr. Seuss books and when I got older, it shifted to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. But outside of those few (honestly) obligatory books, I just never got into reading. I never read any of the books that were considered “classics,” and I think in the science fiction realm, Dune was at the top of that list. I’ve had friends that had read it and I have friends that love it, but me, I am so unfamiliar with everything Dune-related. That’s why it seems strange that I was so interested in this film. I have always loved science fiction (I even took a whole course dedicated to it in my junior year of high school) and enjoyed sci-fi movies, so my almost complete unfamiliarity with this story oddly enough enhanced my anticipation for this film. I say all of this only to provide context for my opinion. I cannot speak about the film in the context of an adaptation, but I can receive the film and speak about it with a relatively fresh set of eyes.

I really fucking liked this movie. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is a careful and complex film. Technically, it might be the most stunning film released this year so far. It is incredibly well directed - this film only further proves my sentiment that he is one of the best directors working today - and shot. Everything regarding the craft of the film – cinematography, score, production design, etc. – is stellar. The performances are great (we’ll talk about Zendaya momentarily), the story is…. very interesting – I have almost no negative things to say about my experience watching this film, but we’ll start with the story.

Dune is a part one. Of how many, I’m not sure. I’ve read that director Villeneuve struck a deal with Warner Bros. regarding his being able to make the film and in that deal, he would be allowed to split the film in two parts. But, I’ve read in other sources that this film is only the first THIRD of the story of Dune (at least of Book One), so I’m unsure. But, that’s beside the point. This film FEELS like the first part of a larger story. It is much more interested with setting up things for further story than having one complete story in this film. Not to say that the film is boring or that nothing happens, I just say this to explain why the film might feel incomplete. This is accented by the late introduction of key characters, as well. It seems like the entire film is leading up to something that doesn’t happen. There are certainly beats that occur and it feels like you’re watching a full film during it, but by the end, though the journey was great, you will feel like you weren’t finished. 

That might sound like a critique, but I don’t think it fully is.  The film is 2 hours and 35 minutes long and it is slowly paced. It is that way on purpose so that the DENSE story and world of Dune can be made easily digestible – which it is – and if they attempted to squeeze all 1000 pages of Dune into one movie, we would have ended up with Dune (1984) (2021) (I’ve never seen the 1984 version, but based on the fact that David Lynch has cited it as his only disappointment and it is disliked by almost all, I feel like it was fair to make that joke). I am glad that the filmmakers are taking their time with this story. It makes everything feel much more purposeful and meaningful. It gives the sense that they care about what they’re making, not just throwing it together for a cash grab. The film is not hard to comprehend or understand while you’re watching it. Now after it’s done, good luck trying to explain what the hell you just watched. But while watching, you’ll be in it fully with almost no questions.

I also want to comment on the themes of the story. From what I DO know about Dune, the story is a commentary on imperialism and colonization, and I think that should be made known before seeing this film. Without that prior knowledge, one might see Dune and leave the theater feeling that they’ve just witnessed another *sigh* white savior narrative. It mainly feels this way because of the casting choices, but that’s neither here nor there. I see this being an issue for people. Hell, I noticed it while I was watching the film and I usually don’t notice that until I reflect on the film after I’ve seen it. I want to point out that a film being a white savior narrative does not automatically make it a bad movie. I mean, In the Heat of the Night (1968, dir. Norman Jewison) was hailed as revolutionary when it came out and is a great film, but it somehow manages to be a white savior story AND a magical negro tale. I think with the proper context, however, in the case of Dune, that this issue is justified. Just wanted to share that.

As I said, technically, every aspect of this film is stellar. The cinematography by Gregg Frasier is so luscious and beautiful and the production design by Patrice Vermette is appropriately ornate and gorgeous. The film is made for IMAX (I saw the film at IMAX headquarters, actually. It was very cool) so I highly, HIGHLY recommend that you see it in IMAX. The aspect ratio often changes and it’s originally formatted for an IMAX screen, so it would also create the most proper viewing experience. However, the real star of the behind the scenes elements is Hans Zimmer’s score. Hans Zimmer needs his ass ate for that score. I’m sorry Mom, Dad, Grandma, any of my teachers, or whoever is reading this, but it’s true. He did such an IN-CRE-DI-BLE job with this score. Honestly, from the Warner Bros. logo at the top of the film, I was like, “this is going to be something special.” It so perfectly captures the atmosphere of the film and it’s just so damn memorable and striking. I don’t know how bagpipes made it to the year 10193 or whatever year it was, but I’m rollin’ with it because it works so well. The action scenes and big set-pieces are jaw dropping as well.

The cast all does a great job. Let me phrase this this way… everyone’s role except for Timothee Chalamet’s and Rebecca Ferguson’s is smaller than you think. Everyone’s screen time in this film is more limited than you would expect. I cannot complain about any of the performances – Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson are particularly great as a mother and son – but many of them are smaller than expected. Zendaya’s, probably the most. If you are going to see this film for Zendaya, be warned as I was before viewing so you can get your expectations in check, SHE IS ONLY IN THE FILM FOR A MAXIMUM OF 20 MINUTES. This is NOT the Timmy and Zendaya show as it was advertised. Her character is integral to the plot, but I think she’s going to be more integral to the plots of future films, further accenting my point made earlier about setting up future stories.

All in all, Dune was a very enjoyable experience for me. I loved the world building in this film and the way they went about it. It’s very engrossing and the film is stunning. The pace is slow and methodical, but I like that they are taking their time with developing this story. To quote the film, “It’s only the beginning.”