Dune
Thinking back to the time I read this book – makes me feel REALLY OLD. My brother was really excited about it and insisted I read it too, so I did, and promptly forgot most of it. I was impressed with the depth of world building and the interesting idea of wormhole piloting “spice” being created by gigantic worms on a totally desert planet that required herculean efforts to survive on. Those kinds of things were fun, but the whole savior of all mankind being the immensely rich and powerful scion of an ancient family? Yeah, I was beginning to be over that massively overused trope about then. I asked my brother how the other books went and when he told me I was relieved to have stopped at the first novel.
Of course I watched the 1984 Dune movie wherein the lead singer of The Police, Sting, showed off his acting chops and impressive six pack. I remembered just enough of the book to be not impressed with the adaptation, which was why I wasn’t terribly excited at the prospect of a new version in 2021 and only recently watched it on a whim. The basic story is set ten thousand years in the future, when humankind travels through the universe using ships whose pilots are on “spice”, a strong hallucinogen found only on one planet, that has not a drop of water on it. It’s the most expensive substance in the universe so of course a lot of people die to control its production. House Atreides is given control of the planet, usurping another family. But it’s a setup and the other family descends and destroys the Atreides family – except for Paul, the heir, and his mother Jessica who is also a disciple in a super powerful religious order of women. They escape the slaughter and throw in with the Fremen, people who live on the planet.
That description is super sparse. Remember one of the things I did like about the story was the deep world building, which makes it nearly impossible for a filmmaker to cram everything into a couple of hours. There’s a lot of story to choose from, but if you leave something important out the whole thing collapses like a house of cards. I don’t remember details from the book I read nearly fifty years ago, but this version seems really solid. It has the deep feel of the book without being stuffy or preachy. Director Denis Villeneuve keeps things moving well even when one of the awesome fight scenes isn’t going on. The writing is impressive and the acting is even better.
Paul Atreides has to be gotten just right. He has to be smart and strong and decent without the smugness that growing up with intense wealth and power normally gives a person. Timothée Chalamet (Don’t Look Up, Call Me By Your Name) is a superb choice to play Paul Atreides, and that alone has me looking forward to seeing the next movie. On the other hand his mother, played by Rebecca Ferguson (The Greatest Showman, Mission Impossible), is a conundrum. She’s powerful and brave, and in every scene she seemed on the verge of crying. I don’t know if that was the director’s choice or hers, but I didn’t care for her take on Jessica Atreides. Maybe it’ll be better in the next film. A couple of my favorite action stars, Jason Mamoa playing Paul’s mentor, and Dave Bautista playing a really evil guy are great supporting characters. Except for the mom, all the actors are stellar.
Something I noticed pretty quickly is how well the music enhances the gorgeous visuals and sometimes nail biting action. Normally I will pay some attention to a film’s score, but this time I found myself actively listening to it and appreciating how well it elevates the story with an unusual sound that is futuristic without being gimmicky. It pairs well with the steampunk feeling of the story that is wonderfully portrayed. Ten thousand years in the future? Everything is Big and Massive and Heavy with power but be sure to use a signet ring to press your house’s image into the hot wax on a document. Gonna have a battle? Bring your sword! The story and film is extremely science fictional and also rooted in ancient Earth history. I think that might be what really put me over the top on enjoying the film.
I encourage you to check out this movie if you like science fiction at all. It’s beautifully shot with a gorgeous score and great acting. Y’all can argue among yourselves how true it is to the original work because I really don’t remember.
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When I saw that Mildred had reviewed Dune, I WAS SO HAPPY! Dune was fantastic! I had read the book a long time ago. I read it right after Lord of the Rings and nothing is good after LoTR until about six months later, IMHO. So I didn’t really like it that much, but it did stick with me. Fast forward and a good friend of mine Ann M. told me how much she LOVED Dune. She said to me “It’s like my Lord of the Rings.”
I had hope for this new movie. Director Denis Villeneuve LOVES the work and I think a fan who LOVES the materials is better than anyone else to adapt it to screen. I love being right.
The minute this movie opens your blood and bones chill. It FEELS and LOOKS like Dune! Everything is spot on perfect. Even Ann M. agreed! She said this looked like everything she had always pictured. My only complaint is that I wanted MORE! Which is not really a complaint. 🙂
I am very excited for Dune 2 and hope I get to see it with Mildred in the theater.
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