DUNE (2021) – Review

So, even though it’s the season of the big somber serious “award-bait” films, who’s ready for a journey back to “a galaxy far, far away”? Whoa, shut down the “hyper-drive”, I’m not talking about that one, y’know the one we all first visited back in 1977. Although we’ve been, cinematically, in this particular “star system” before. First at the movies in 1984, then on basic cable TV in 2000. It’s based on a book series with a huge fan base, although neither version pleased them (as for the 84 “take”, if you catch it on TV, the director credit is for “Alan Smithee” as the acclaimed filmmaker doesn’t want his real name on it), nor did it attract a throng of new admirers. Perhaps film tech needed to catch up to the tale’s unique requirements. Or maybe it just needs the correct director and cast. Now we can see if all three are needed for the proper screen treatment of Frank Herbert’s DUNE.

As the new film opens, we’re transported to the ocean planet of Caladan, which is ruled by the Atreides family. The young “prince” Paul (Timothee Chalamet) is in the grip of another weird desert-based dream (or nightmare). He’s finally awakened by his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) who insists that he join her for breakfast before the day’s big ceremony. We soon learn that she is training Paul to harness the mystical “persuasion” powers he has inherited from her. After donning their formal attire, they join father Duke Letto (Oscar Isaac) and his aide Gurney (Josh Brolin). Emissaries from the ruling House Harkonnen (under the order of the Emperor) instruct Leto and his family (and military forces) to relocate to the harsh desert planet of Arrakis to supervise the harvesting of melange, AKA “spice” which possesses many amazing properties (it’s essential to space travel). Prior to the move Gurney tutors paul in combat fighting, while “ace’ fighter pilot Duncan (Jason Momoa) regales Paul with stories of his time on his future home. Later Paul undergoes a test of “pain” conducted by Jessica’s trainer, the Reverend Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling). On Arrakis, the Atreides entourage is greeted by the officials, though much of the populace, including the fierce rebel fighters known as Fremen, plot to overthrow their new otherworldly overlords. But while the Atreides try to deal with the deadly gigantic sandworms that wreck the spice mining compounds, the Harkonnen, led by the cruel Baron Vladimir (Stellan Skarsgard), are plotting a surprise attack. Can Paul and his family survive all the deadly threats on their new home world?

A truly stellar cast has been brought together on this, helping to breathe life into the now 56-year-old SF classic. Hey six of them are from the MCU, and another actor swam in from the Justice League. The focus of it all is Chalamet as Paul, who, as in many adventure fables, is the youngster at the start of a “hero’s quest”. Like most teens, Paul has an obstinate streak, but he’s got an enthusiastic spirit, always seeking wisdom, even as dark forces surround him. Chalamet brings a real intensity to Paul, compelling us to be in his “rooting section”. Luckily he’s got the talented Ferguson as Lady Jessica in his corner. She challenges Paul, exhorting him to sharpen his “special skills” while trying to protect him from those said forces. Much of the same can be said of Isaac as Leto who never denies his son of his wisdom or affection, all while balancing the demands of his title. Part of Paul’s extended family is Brolin as Gurney, who puts up a tough front, although he too hopes to keep his surrogate nephew out of harm’s path. Ditto for his “almost” big brother Duncan who’s given a gregarious and snarky edge by Momoa. Lurking in the shadows, Skarsgard makes Baron a stuffed flesh pad of pure malevolence, issuing orders in a guttural growl to the hulking Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) and craven co-conspirator (think Peter Lorre in MAD LOVE) Piter (David Dastmalchian). They’re almost as scary as Rampling who’s pure intimidation as the Reverend. On Arrakis, Javier Bader is a most charismatic and funny Fremaon rebel leader named Stilgar, while Zendaya is the desert goddess of Paul’s dreams, Chani, in a brief role (guessing we’ll see a lot more of her in follow-ups).

This is the passion project of director Denis Villeneuve, one of the more interesting visual filmmakers of recent memory (ARRIVAL, BLADE RUNNER 2049), who worked on the screenplay adaptation with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth. And, as Denis has said in countless interviews, the scope is big, full of endless vistas best viewed on the biggest screen possible (yes, you can stream it on your HDTV, but you won’t be truly “immersed”). It could be called a cosmic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, especially since most of the action takes place in the sands of Arrakis, where those fearsome worms seem to be more than a mile long (the use of vibrations to attract and distract them is quite engaging). The artists and craftspeople have fashioned a world similar to ours, but with fantastic flourishes. The air transports recall helicopters, though they lift via fluttering side wings like a dragonfly or hummingbird. A wrist device creates a protective blue-tinded force field around its wearer until a weak area gives off a red-tinted warning. Thousands of soldiers march in unison, sporting shell-like battles armor, while others travel the hot sands clad in “moisture suits” that cool with re-circulated sweat. But Villeneuve doesn’t neglect the human drama and family dynamics in favor of these great gizmos and “eye candy”.Unfortunately, the source material was so dense that the film ends abruptly (even at 155 minutes) leaving us wanting (much like the Hobbit trilogy or, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, one of the book’s “spiritual children”). Perhaps it’s best to leave us yearning for more as the booming Hans Zimmer score booms over the speakers, which also sounds great with the sweeping cinematography of Greg Fraser. Yes, this is the superior film treatment, though we’re left feeling that there’s much more to be gleaned from the world of DUNE.

3 Out of 4

DUNE opens in select theatres everywhere and begins streaming for 30 days on HBO Max beginning on Friday, October 22, 2021.