Dune is an epic sci-fi film directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Blade Runner 2049) with a screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Eric Roth and Villeneuve himself. The film is part one of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name – regarded by many as the greatest science fiction book of all time.
Set over 8,000 years from now, the film follows Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet – Call Me by Your Name), as his family are thrust into a war for the dangerous desert-like planet Arrakis – also known as Dune. The ongoing war is between the native Fremen (including Javier Bardem and Zendaya) and the enemy invaders, and former rulers of Arrakis, the House Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard and Dave Bautista).
Moments before entering the cinema I quickly googled the run time (2hr 35 minutes) and 10 seconds in it says ‘Part One’ – I wondered what I’d got myself in for (Yes I like to do my research after watching the film). I’m not saying the mammoth world-building mission that takes place during the first hour was boring but there were two distinct snoring sounds in our screening (without mentioning any names of course).
It is the task of the Atreides family to contain or conciliate Dune’s indigenous people, the Fremen, but get sole commercial exploitation rights for the planet’s mineral, “Spice”, which, properly refined, gives the consumer superhuman mental powers. Incidentally, the film is a cross between Lawrence of Arabia in space and Lawrence of Arabia on Spice.
The story of Paul Atreides very much appears to be one of destiny. He is son of Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac – Ex Machina) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson – Mission Impossible). From his father he will inherit the ruling power and from his mother, a member of a Jedi-like sorceress cult – Bene Gesserit – he inherits mind-control powers and the weird intuitions that come along with it. Those weird intuitions and possible premonitions are the only place we see Zendaya – she may as well not be in the film – the trailer certainly overplays her involvement.
Hans Zimmer’s score is as relentless as it is compelling from the moment they step on the new planet, reverberating through the cinema during battles, fight scenes and attempted assassinations. Dune provides a combination of ancient civilization and unimaginable future technology, such as the dragonfly aircraft. It is arguably the greatest introduction to a new universe since The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001.
I would recommend a sense of patience for anyone diving into Dune for the first time – I certainly needed it. The film ends quite abruptly but leaves the audience wanting more. After 2.5 hours it was just getting going. Nonetheless, it is a spectacle that needs to be seen in the cinema. The final 90 minutes are definitely worth the opening 60 – alternatively, you could just have a nap!
ClingFilm 