Review: Dune

Dune is currently in theaters and available to stream on HBO Max.

Finally. At long last. After several delays and the director duking it out with the production company over whether or not the movie will be released in theaters, we have Dune. This movie is directed by Denis Villeneuve (Director of Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival), scored by the GOAT Hans Zimmer, and packs one of the most star-studded casts I've ever seen in a single movie. This movie was also a sight to behold. Visually, this is one of the most stunning movies I've ever seen, so if your budget allows, watch this in theaters. But it is available to stream on HBO Max.

Plot

Dune is an adaption of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel of the same name, one of the most beloved and influential science-fiction books of all time. In the universe of Dune, humanity has spread across the universe and is ruled by multiple royal families. Our protagonists, House Atreides, have just been given domain over the desert planet Arrakis. Arrakis is the most important planet in the universe because it is the only planet where "spice" is found. Spice is essential for interstellar travel, and is known to give people supernatural abilities and extend their lifespans, making it the most sought-after material in the known universe. Though House Atreides are being given control of Arrakis, it comes with many problems. They are taking it from their rival house, House Harkonnen (who are all very mean and very much don't like House Atreides), Arrakis is home to natives called Fremen who frequently attack anyone who tries to colonize their planet, and the deserts are also home to giant sandworms who are able to eat entire ships.

Throughout this movie, we mainly follow the three members of House Atreides. There's Leto, the head of the family. There's Lady Jessica, Leto's concubine and member of the Bene Gesserit (a shadow organization of women who have psychic powers enhanced by spice), and Paul, the heir to House Atreides and our angsty protagonist.

What I Liked

• The Visuals: Oh my god, this movie looks gorgeous. It's cinematography and special effects make for some of the most awe-inspiring scenes I've ever seen, especially for a science fiction movie. It's not colorful because, I mean, the entire movie takes place in the desert...but it takes that and runs with it, making the aesthetic of the desert into some of the best-looking shots you'll ever experience.

• The Music: Hans, baby, you've done it again. When Hans Zimmer's score swelled in the background as the camera pans over a giant sandworm or over a large, brutal army in the middle of a desert wasteland, it sent chills up my spine. Goosebumps the entire time.

• The Plot: I've been a fan of the source material for years, so the plot has a soft spot in my heart. Frank Herbert really went all out when doing the world-building for this universe, especially when creating the ecology of the planet of Arrakis. I've always been a big fan of slow-burn science fiction that leans more on political intrigue than balls-to-the-wall action, and this movie is definitely more intrigue than action.

• The Fight Scenes: Though there are not as many as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, the few fight scenes that do occur are extremely well-choreographed.

• Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica: There are a lot of good performances, but the best is by far Rebecca Ferguson as Paul's mother, who is as elegant as she is badass. I might be in love with her too idk.

What You Should Know Going Into This Movie:

This is where I usually say what I didn't like. However, when I think about it, there isn't much I didn't like about this movie and that is a product of my pre-established expectations and familiarity with the story. So, there are some things you should be aware of going into this.

• It's a Slow Burn: The plot is very exposition-heavy at the beginning, which is necessary for you to get an idea of what is happening. Much of the beginning of the movie is dialogue-heavy and even then you will still be a little confused as to what is happening. If you aren't a little familiar with the old 80's movie or the books, you will probably be a little lost at times.

• They Don't Explain Weapons Well: I realized that they may not have explained why they use swords for hand-to-hand combat but use giant guns in their ships. The shields they use are able to stop projectiles but cannot stop a blade slowing breaking the shield's surface tension, making bullets irrelevant. They don't do the best job of explaining that off the bat.

• It May Come Across as Pretentious: Remember this is a science fiction book from the 1960's, so the dialogue can sometimes come across as Shakespearean and maybe even a little melodramatic. There's not much wise-cracking going on 24/7 like a Marvel movie. Don't expect a knee-slapper.

• There's No Real Ending: This is the one thing that most people are complaining about. Be in mind, this book has a lot of material and the original 80's adaption tried to adapt it all in one movie and it bombed HARD. This needed to be split into two movies and Denis Villeneuve did not do the best job in picking a place in the overall story to split it down the middle. It sort of just ends, making the entire movie feel like the build-up to a second movie instead of being its own stand-alone story. Assuming they still plan on making Part 2, then this shouldn't be a problem. However, if they don't end up following through, then this will be the biggest case of cinematic blue balls ever recorded.

Overall Thoughts

I was desperate for something new this year. As much as I love a good Marvel movie, I can only watch the same plot with the same super-powered characters cracking the same oddly-timed jokes while fighting the same generic villain so many times. If nothing else, Dune is ambitious and it was a spectacle to watch in theaters. Especially with Hans Zimmer's soundtrack blaring in my ears, which made this more of an experience then anything else. If you go into this expecting a Disney-backed Star Wars movie or Marvel movie, then you will be disappointed. If you go into this with an open mind, then you are in for a cinematic experience that I believe we won't be getting too often anymore. Let's enjoy it while we can because if this doesn't perform well, then it's going to be superhero movies and 80's horror movie remakes every year until the end of time.