Denis Villeneuve’sDuneis a sci-fi epic unlike anything that has been put to screen. While others have attempted to adapt Frank Herbert’s seminal novel, the density of the concepts and the uniqueness of the imagery have proved difficult. Yet somehow Villeneuve brings so many of Herbert’s key ideas to life with stunning visual effects and deeply moving performances. Although it’s only one half of the first book,Duneis an achievement on a level that should set the tone for the genre moving forward.
Because of the cyclical nature of adaptations and filmmaking, in a lot of waysDunewill feel like a movie that viewers have seen before.Star Wars, for example, was heavily influenced by Herbert’s story and a lot of the same themes and concepts are at play. Young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is in constant conflict with the supernatural powers he possesses, and he doesn’t quite understand his purpose in the world. When his family takes control of the planet Arrakis, known for its lucrative Spice, they are thrown into a dense web of political intrigue and betrayal. Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) understands the immense responsibility of mining Spice on Arrakis, but he is also smart enough to sense that something more nefarious is at play. While Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) believes that her son is destined for something great.
To say thatDuneis dense would be to put it mildly. There are a lot of concepts and characters thrown at the viewer with a rapid clip, but Villeneuve’s construction of the film and his screenplay with John Spaihts and Eric Roth helps condense the material into something that is as easy to follow as it’s going to be. Luckily,Dunehas the benefit of decades of sci-fi storytelling to rely on, which has helped prepare viewers for something like this. To the film’s credit, though, it is still an enjoyable adventure even if audiences can’t quite discern the headier concepts.
First and foremost,Duneis a visual feast filled with incredible imagery. Small ships that look and move like dragonflies (called Ornithopters), massive sandworms that roam just under the sandy surface of Arrakis, and a clever personal shield effect that forces combatants to use melee weaponry instead of lasers and guns are just some of the captivating sights brought to life byDune’s VFX team. There is a scope and a scale toDunethat few films ever deliver and it is constantly on display. Regardless of the competition,Dunefeels like a shoe-in for every effects award.
Not to be outdone,Dune’s cast is stellar across the board. Chalamet brings a brooding intensity to the role of Paul that highlights a character steeped in conflict. For being one of the few female actors in the film, Rebecca Ferguson commands attention in every scene she’s in. And Oscar Isaac brings the bravado and vulnerability necessary for a powerful house leader who is also a family man. Even smaller roles like Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho, Stellan Skarsgård’s villainous Baron Harkonnen, and Javier Bardem’s Stilgar are well cast.
Perhaps the only disappointing element ofDuneis that it is only one half of the story. As Part 1 ofDune, Villeneuve’s film doesn’t feel complete, and its ending is extremely abrupt. Coming back to this world will certainly be a treat but the complexity of this first film makes the wait even more agonizing.
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