Shane Conto
At this point, was there too much hype for the release of Dune? By the time fourth quarter 2021 rolled around, cinephiles everywhere were chomping at the bit to finally see one of the most anticipated science fiction adaptations…of maybe all time. But why? The long delay of COVID just kept building that anticipation. Dune is one of the most impacted science fiction novels of all time and is so rich with plenty of material to flesh out. Denis Villeneuve might be the greatest rising director in the world and coming off the extremely lauded Blade Runner 2049…anything was possible. So many great reasons to be anticipating the film. But was that type too high? Could it possibly be the masterpiece that so many people just assumed that it would be? Let’s find out.
Where else could we start but with Villeneuve? The direction of this film is immaculate. There is no denying that Villeneuve is one of the most talented and impactful directors out there. The pacing is surprisingly engrossing for a juggernaut of world-building and set-up that this film is. I know I was left still wanting more (which we indeed will be getting in 2023). The visuals are purely striking. The blending of pitch perfect effects and real photography is awe-inspiring. I think I would be hard pressed to find any film that looks so real and lived in that is so heavily reliant on effects. Villeneuve can capture an epic scale and still feel intimate and powerful with a close. The shots when the sandworms arrive leave you breathless. There will also be close frames that will make you feel like you were punched in the gut. He does it all.
What about the actual world? Villeneuve did have his work cut out for him trying to adapt one of the most immersive sci-fi worlds in literature (thanks to Frank Herbert). The costumes are impressive balances between regal regalia, battle armor, and desert equipment (with each looking like they had hours and hours of detail sewed in). The crafts in the film are impressive in functionality and impressive realistic. Villeneuve channels his work on Arrival to bring spacecrafts to life that look both otherworldly and realistic (as they can be). Then you have the worms. One of the most iconic elements of the Dune series is brought to life with great mystique and scale that left my jaw dropping. The cinematography is so striking…you just might think it is Roger Deakins. Then there is Hans Zimmer’s score. What…did…I…hear? The otherworldly vibe of the music is aethereal and works perfectly in this film (and there are few of Zimmer’s trademark bombastic excess for good measure).
Can you believe I haven’t even mentioned this enormous cast at all yet? Timothee Chalamet delivers an emotional and raw performance as Paul, the heir to a powerful ruling house and maybe the messiah of the Imperium. Chalamet certainly has a long career ready for him (just ask his performance across from an enigmatic and powerful Charlotte Rampling in this film). Rebecca Ferguson continues to prove that she is the real MVP in every picture she pops up in. Her internal struggles as a mother and a member of a mysterious society of influencers is palpable in every scene. She packs power and emotion into every frame. Oscar Isaac was a great choice as Paul’s father with plenty of gravitas as a confident leader as well as an honorable man. Jason Momoa is the coolest man in Hollywood, and he makes sure that Duncan Idaho is the coolest in this flick too. Josh Brolin and Stephen McKinley Henderson do their things so well in significant supporting roles. Zendaya is more of an enigma than a full character in Part I but I am sure she will get to shine in Part II. Javier Barden continues the enigma train with his strange but committed performance. Through pure rage from Dave Bautista and creepy presence from David Dastmalchian, we have some solid supporting villains. But I saved StellanSkarsgard and his Apocalypse Now Brando work for last. The Baron is terrifying and foreboding in his girth and malice. What a perfect villainous presence to fill out this robust cast.
But it cannot all be shockingly positive, right? The biggest issue with this film is that it might not feel like a full film. There is a lot of set up in these 155 minutes. Part II seems like it was amazing, but it does feel a tad unsatisfying knowing that most of this movie felt like the first two acts of a film. There are also tons of expositional dialogue. Sometimes you can just feel the weight of the information piling on top of you. There are plenty of great teases more things to come…but you do have to wait two more years for it. The film is also trying to tackle so much that some of the characters (and by extension the actors) feel under-utilized. But if you can get past those things…this is an incredible treat. Whether you watch it on a traditional or IMAX screen, Dune is an epic worth experiencing…and there is so much more to come..
