Dune is an absorbing and visually striking sci-fi epic with one major problem

Date:
Mon, 18 Oct 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Description:
Dune arrives on HBO Max and in US theaters on October 22 heres our spoiler-free review.

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Getting a movie adaptation of a popular book right is a massive challenge:
get it wrong, and a series' devoted following won't be happy. It's even more challenging if that book is especially complex, and hasn't historically made the leap to the big screen with much creative success or cohesive storytelling.

This sums up the situation surrounding Dune, Warner Bros upcoming movie adaptation of Frank Herberts seminal 1965 novel. The sci-fi epic possesses a diehard fan base and a convoluted plot a potential recipe for disaster for whoever is brave enough to turn it into a film.

With Dune fanatic and Blade Runner 2049 director Denis Villeneuve at the
helm, though, Warner Bros big screen treatment of Herberts iconic novel may have a better chance of succeeding than David Lynchs maligned 1984 offering.

So how does Villeneuves version hold up? Dune is an enthralling adaptation that does justice to Herberts grand sci-fi saga, although there are some issues that hinder it during its two and a half hour runtime. Here's everything you need to know about Dune ahead of its release Is there
currently a free trial for HBO Max ? This is how much an HBO Max subscription costs

Set in the far future, Dune follows Paul Atreides (Timothe Chalamet), the
heir to House Atreides, as he and his family are entrusted with Arrakis, a dangerous desert planet, by the galaxys emperor.

Also known as Dune, Arrakis is the only source of 'spice', the universes most valuable substance, which grants its users superhuman abilities and makes interstellar travel possible.

It isnt long, though, before House Atreides finds itself fighting on multiple fronts. Archrivals in House Harkonnen enviously eye Arrakis 'spice' mining operation. The planets natives in the Fremen, as well as mammoth sandworms that swim across the deserts, present sizable threats, too. What follows is a sci-fi chronicle for the ages, complete with numerous twists and turns thatll leave viewers on tenterhooks.

Dunes elaborate nature is exemplified by the sheer size of its cast.
Alongside Paul, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), Villeneuves adaptation introduces us to 16 main and supporting characters.

With each one portrayed by a star name, and given that theyre all key to
Dunes expansive plot, you might think it's an impossible task to seamlessly introduce audiences to each character, their personality and their motives. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Not so. A pleasing balance is struck that gives us an insight into Dunes
major players, and allows us to occasionally relate to each character.

We see, for example, how Paul is weighed down by the expectation of leading House Atreides one day, while we're given the opportunity to take stock of
how flawed these characters are as individuals and a collective. Witnessing how various charactersincluding Gurney (Josh Brolin), Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and Chani (Zendaya) interact with Paul and each other, too, offers many humorous and tense moments throughout the film. Theres an eclectic mix of actors in Dune and their talents are satisfyingly used to maximum effect.

The same can be said of how Dune establishes Herberts fictional universe. Villeneuve does a good job of immersing us in the movies numerous locations, allowing Dunes sweeping vistas and scenic splendor to periodically take
center stage and break up the narrative. Its a visually impressive film: you can certainly spot the cinematic similarities between Dune and Villeneuves previous works, including Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.

Even when Dunes plot starts to steer towards exposition territory, it has a novel way of supplying audiences with key information that doesnt disrupt its flow. Pauls holographic educational logs provide enough explanation about important subjects, such as Arrakis history, without being overly complex or holding viewers hands. Its used effectively throughout Dunes runtime,
breaking down its lore into bite-sized chunks that are easier to digest.

As far as its action goes, Dune provides breathtaking set-pieces and more intimate fight sequences in equal measure. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The scope of its largest battle is a sight to behold and, honestly, it needs to be seen on the big screen. Yes, there are plenty of VFX elements that
bring the drama to life, but Greig Frasers cinematography also adds a layer
of visceral realism to the extravaganza. Its a hard fought and at-times harrowing spectacle that plays out in multiple mini-acts, taking its cues
from similarly gigantic set-pieces seen in Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Eventually, Dunes major battle gives way to smaller-scale skirmishes, and its here where some of the movies biggest shocks and plot twists take place. Theres certainly a Game of Thrones sensibility to these moments but they help to embellish, rather than hinder, the emotional story beats that play out on screen.

The main problem that Dune has is that, after this key moment, its plot
starts to meander towards a slightly dissatisfying and rather abrupt conclusion.

After building momentum towards its climactic battle, Dune passes this crescendo moment and strangely begins to outstay its welcome. There are a couple of post-battle surprises in store, as well as a few necessary scenes that speak to the traumatic events that have just unfolded.

But Dunes final 20 minutes feel like the beginnings of a potential second movie, rather than the perfect stopping point that this first part requires. Villeneuve always planned to tell Dunes story across two movies, so you can semi-accept this films cliff-hanger finale. Still, the final part of its
third act feels a tad unnecessary. If it had ended sooner, it might have made for a tighter or more cohesive epilogue. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Dunes finale is its main issue, but there are a couple of other problems that are slightly grating.

For one, its sometimes difficult to hear what certain characters are saying. As in some of Christopher Nolan's recent films, specific lines of dialogue
are hard to make out: thats problematic for a film that requires viewers full attention to understand whats going on. Dunes sound editing is otherwise superb Hans Zimmers score is thunderously glorious which makes scenes with indiscernible chatter all the more frustrating.

Dune somewhat falls into the trap that other large ensemble movies have been
a victim of, too. While it does a great job of introducing us to its sizable cast, theres not enough time for each to undergo significant character development. Or for them to resonate with audiences on an emotional level before things go awry.

Sure, Chalamets Paul, Fergusons Rebecca and Jason Momoas Duncan Idaho have a number of moments that leave a lump in the throat. Its unsurprising that this trio are the highlights of Dunes excellent cast, then. But, Isaacs Leto
aside, nobody apart from this triumvirate gets any emotional payoff for their characters. Thats a touch disappointing when theyre supposed to be integral
to Dunes overarching story. What we think (Image credit: Warner Bros.)

This is only the beginning, Zendayas Chani tells Chalamets Paul in Dunes
final moments.

Shes right, of course. Dune is only the first entry in Villeneuves planned film duology, while an HBO Max spin-off called The Sisterhood is also in the works.

Dune isnt without its faults but, by and large, Warner Bros does have a potential hit on its hands. Its an atmospheric, brooding and expansive cinematic marvel that, while its source material predates them, has shades of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Mad Max and even Gladiator in its execution. Its also
a thematically dense movie that explores familial legacy, politicking, the longevity of empires and environmentalism.

Its an accomplishment, too, that Villeneuve is able to present Heberts intricately detailed work in a way that makes it accessible to a wider audience. Dune doesnt forgo the ambitious nature of its source material to appeal to general cinemagoers: it commits to Herberts convoluted novel while mostly making it easy to understand. Compare that to David Lynchs famously divisive attempt in 1984, and thats no mean feat.

Dune aspires to do justice to its source material, and it does so with
aplomb. If Dune Part 2 is similarly faithful, providing its greenlit by
Warner Bros off the back of its risky hybrid streaming release, theres every chance that Villeneuves adaptation, like Herberts book, can become the directors seminal work of art. Unless that second movie gets the go-ahead, though, Dune feels a tad incomplete.

Dune arrives in UK cinemas on Thursday, October 21. It lands in theaters and on HBO Max (with an ad-free plan) in the US on Friday, October 22. Best HBO Max movies



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