Dune is the 2021 sci-fi film directed by the remarkably talented Denis Villeneuve — best known for his other outstanding movies such as Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival. Based on the novel with the same name by Frank Herbert, it is the latest feature adaptation of the book after the 1984 David Lynch version. It focuses on the story of young Paul Atreides going to the planet Arrakis to save the future of his family and his people. As the evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen threatens to take over the planet's resource, our hero will do whatever it takes to ensure humanity’s survival once and for all. It took a long time for the audience to finally see this, but the good news is that the wait is worth it.
“Dreams Make Good Stories, But Everything Important Happens When We’re Awake.”
To call Dune an immersive cinematic experience is a massive understatement. It’s a spectacular film that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible. IMAX is unquestionably the best format to watch this in theaters. Each scene is incredibly stunning to look at, and you can tell Villeneuve took this project seriously. He’s both a wonderful storyteller and worldbuilder in cinema. He brings the highly imaginative and unique world of Herbert’s book to life with amazing cinematography and visuals. Everything feels real because it’s beautifully shot on location. Even the musical score from Hans Zimmer is top-notch. It’s not fair to compare this new iteration of Dune with the previous one since their production quality is very different from one another. The source material is a difficult one to adapt on screen, and it’s hard to imagine how bad the movie would have been with the wrong director in mind. If Hollywood is looking for someone to take on beloved properties while honoring their legacy, Villeneuve is most certainly the filmmaker to consider.
“A Great Man Doesn’t Seek To Lead. He’s Called To It.”
Dune features a fantastic cast of actors: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Chang Chen, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, David Dastmalchian, and Dave Bautista — so you know you’re in for something special. Everyone stands out when they’re on screen. It heavily relies on Chalamet to carry the film throughout, and he continues to prove why he’s one of the best actors working in the industry. All the characters have great dynamics with each other, while also bringing a lot of depth to their performances. That feeling of camaraderie, loyalty, and alliance is noticeable from start to finish, especially that the movie deals with compelling politics in their universe. Dune is a slow burn, but that’s not necessarily a flaw. It does have some pacing issues, but you’re still invested when it’s busy setting up both the world and characters. When it’s over, you’ll be begging for Part Two.
Dune is simply phenomenal. It's not just another fantastic feature from Denis Villeneuve, but it’s also one of the best films of the year.
Repeating this once again, go see this on the big screen.
Get ready to be transported to the enthralling world of Arrakis.
Watch Dune Now