While there aren’t a lot of films I get excited about anymore, I know that I’m not alone in my excitement for a new Dune. There were a lot of attempts to bring the books to the big screen, but only a few are worth mentioning. Of course, this leaves the question of whether the film is worth the time and anticipation. If you have never read the book, Dune is a film that is set in a universe that shows us different planets, each with a Duke to oversee them. There are different families that rule under an Emperor and wielders of magic in different forms that guide and assist in the path they take to achieve their goals. Of course, you can’t have a system like this without politics and families that thrive for gain. We follow Paul while he is groomed to be the next Duke and learn more about the politics of the empire they serve. This film is based on a series of books, but has also been made into a number of films previously. Some of which have gained a cult following and others that have failed miserably.
While there is a lot left to be desired in the film, I think this is because it is laying the groundwork for what comes next. As we have seen in Dune movies before, what happens before Paul joins the Fremen is mostly what you need to know about the outside world and the problems within it. So, while I think that the film is a tad lackluster, I understand why and that doesn’t mean for Part 1, its all that bad. I also understand that it’s the fan in me that wants to see the rest of it and can’t wait to see how it is portrayed.The acting in this film is pretty good. I thought Timothee Chalamet did a good job as Paul and Rebecca Ferguson gave Lady Jessica a strong adaptation. While I usually love Oscar Isaac, I thought he fell a little flat. I couldn’t stand Zendaya, though I have never had high expectations of her as an actress. She tends to take moody and brooding to a caricature and it is pretty distracting. This film is no different. I understood that she was meant to be standoffish, but she was less of a guarded strong woman and more of a sulking teenager who didn’t get a car for her birthday. Maybe she’ll be better in Part 2 where we get to see more of her character. I did love Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho and Josh Brolin as Gurney Hallek, but Jason’s lack of facial hair was incredibly distracting.
Fair warning ladies, if you think Jason Momoa is hot. Dave Bautista might have the look of Glossu Rabban, but his acting was distracting as well. He’s been better in other films. The film direction was good, even though there was nothing new or innovative. I thought the style was strong and seamless, supporting the dialogue and storyline with good structure. The cinematography, again nothing new, was wonderful. There were so many artistic frames that I wasn’t sure how they chose the poster or why there weren’t more stills showcasing it. The aesthetics were perfect from a modern interpretation that isn’t overdone. So many times we see sci-fi movies that exhibit aesthetic theory that almost seems over the top. This was a much sleeker and efficient interpretation and I thought it was perfect for a movie like this. The story isn’t anything new, it is the same as previous films and the book is to thank for that. I did think that there were some parts that weren’t in previous versions that were ok, but nothing that derived or added to the story. But I will have to watch the older versions and rewatch this one before I can decide how I feel about it. Overall, I thought it was good. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t meant to be. It is the first part and this is where we learn, not where the magic happens. It is a good representation from what I can remember of the books, but I am not the huge fan some are. While it wasn’t horrible, I do expect it will get better, and can’t wait to see the next one! I give it an eight overall, but am expecting the next will be higher than that. It is definitely worth seeing, whether you think you will like it or not. Whether you see it now or wait to watch it before the next one, is another matter. I say watch it now and watch it again before the next! Remember that the more we support movies like this, the more of them we will get!
