Dune Review: A Sci-Fi Cinematic Masterpiece

After what seems like forever, Denise Villeneuve’s Dune has finally arrived and this epic sci-fi movie gets off to an electric start.

Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.

Movies like Dune are the reasons why we go to theaters and Director Denise Villeneuve manages to push all the right buttons. I don’t see how he could have made a better version clocking in at a little over 2.5 hours. Is it possible the movie could be even better if it were longer? Probably, but that’s not how cinema works. Based on the novel by Frank Herbert, Villeneuve finds the right balance with this film, and it’s strong enough to make this adaptation work. 

Dune benefits greatly from the fact that Villeneuve understands scale. This movie requires a lot of worldbuilding. The first 1.5 hours is devoted to this, however, the pacing can be a bit slow at times and Villeneuve tries his best to make it as interesting as possible. Once we get into the second half, things get purely epic. The tensions between House Atreides and House Harkonnen are intensely felt, raising the stakes and furthering the journey of our character. 

The whole film is a technical marvel. The set designs to the CGI are both breathtaking, creating an ambitious otherworldly landscape that looks flawless. The action sequences and effects, combined with Hans Zimmer’s score create a truly massive, rich feeling world that needs to be seen on the largest screen possible. 

Timothee Chalamet is perfectly cast as Paul Atrides. Rebecca Ferguson is brilliant as Paul’s mother Lady Jessica, while Oscar Isaac gives a great performance as the loving but strong Duke Leto. Jason Momoa adds flair and charm to the warrior Duncan Idaho that steals every scene he appears in. There really isn’t a bad performance throughout the movie. 

Overall, Dune is not just a movie, it is an experience, and shot specifically for IMAX it begs to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The best part about this film is that it’s only just the beginning and Part 2 will most likely be just as epic.

 

Dune is now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max

 

What did you think of the film? Let us know in the comments.



4/5

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