Certification. 12A
Director. Denis Villeneuve
Cast. Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Timothée Chalamet, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya.
Rating. 86%
Denis Villeneuve's Dune was an immersive adventure I knew I had to experience on the big screen. A visual spectacle that no home cinema set-up could replicate. The film's opening moments were quite simply breathtaking and I watched in wonder as the audience was introduced to the world of Arrakis, otherwise known as Dune. From the darkness, a female voice softly proclaimed, "My planet Arrakis is so beautiful when the sun is low. Rolling over the sands, you can see spice in the air."
A recent re-watching of the film at home confirmed my assertion that the small screen did, indeed, detract from the visual spectacle. But not, more importantly, my overall enjoyment of Dune.
Published in 1965, Frank Herbert's Dune is one of the most influential novels in the science fiction genre. Avant garde pioneers such as Star Wars, Mad Max and Blade Runner owe an enormous debt to Dune, the novel. Herbert introduced an introspective narrative that transported readers to one of the richest and most complex worlds in all science fiction, yet a world that mirrored many of the political, theological and ecological issues faced on Earth. Problems with our societies, our destructive relationship with nature and, the inherent danger of mixing religion and politics.
Herbert's novel is a complex work - part science fiction adventure and part political conspiracy. The storyline is an allegory of cultural colonialism and environmental exploitation. Denis Villeneuve works hard to remain true to the essence of the source material. The director does not religiously adhere to the story's timeline, choosing instead to juggle chronology whenever necessary to make the adaptation work on screen.
Where Herbert's prose is lyrical, Villeneuve's film sumptuous and profoundly beautiful. From a production viewpoint, Dune is one of the best films I've ever seen. The costume design is elegant, elaborate and rich, both in the battle uniforms of the House Atreides and the elite Imperial Sardaukar, as well as the ceremonial regalia of the main characters. The CGI effects are seamlessly blended into live action. For example, the protective body-shields are wonderfully subtle - a faint blue glow in silhouette that's barely noticeable until they are activated and change to red when a blade passes through them. And the scale of the sandworms on the big screen is mightily impressive. In fact, there is seldom a moment when your eyes wander from the screen.
The sound production is every bit as impressive as the visual design. The ominous score, written by acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer, establishes the film's mood perfectly. Swelling strings, haunting choral vocals and subtle electronic elements combine to produce a soundtrack that is every bit as dark and foreboding as the film itself.
It was no real surprise to learn that the film received several Academy Awards in 2022 for technical and production components - Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score), Best Achievement in Production Design, Best Achievement in Visual Effects and Best Sound.
Science fiction, more than any other genre, necessitates creating detailed, believable worlds. But not at the expense of storytelling. In Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Blade Runner and Guardians Of The Galaxy these elements are perfectly balanced. When world-building overtakes the plot and character development, a mainstream audience loses interest. This criticism of style over substance was rightly directed at the Star Wars prequels - The Phantom Menace, Attack Of The Clones and Revenge Of The Sith.
Technologically, cinema has arrived at a place and time where the scale of Frank Herbert's vision can fully be realised.
But, Dune is a masterpiece with one major flaw. The film ends. Abruptly. With no escalation of tension or dramatic cliffhanger. Merely the presumption that the audience will be invested in the first instalment of Villeneuve's epic, and that we'll be eager for the second part.
A sequel has subsequently been confirmed by Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures with a release date of 17 November 2023.
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