Dune

Chani's promise to Paul and also the final words of Dune: Part One. Those of you who take your films a little too seriously. And that includes me. Will know by now that Part Two has been greenlit. Enough of us went to the cinema to watch it, or rented it at home, or even pre ordered it on UHD. I did all three, and bought a pretty cool House Atriedes t-shirt as well. So that should give you some hint that...yes...I liked what I saw.Frank Herbert wrote Dune back in 1965 and it was originally released as two serials. So it's pretty apt that Denis Villeneuve decided to adapt it into two films. It won the Hugo award in 66 and also the first Nebula award. Dune is universally regarded as one of the greatest Sci-Fi novels ever. It's certainly my favourite. Not a quick read but well worth reading before viewing the film.SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERSIf you do read the first novel you will of course then know the events and finale to Part Two. However, those who have or will read the book should bear in mind that some elements, plots, even secondary characters, have been altered or omitted. This is not an entirely faithful adaptation. But it is an effective one. Villeneuve has talked about the possibility of making it a trilogy. This would mean Dune Messiah (the second, much thinner novel) becoming Part Three. I would certainly watch it if he films it, but would not be too dissapointed if he calls it a day after Part Two. Dune (the novel) ends on a triumphant note. Dune Messiah...well...as history shows...those lauded as such...rarely escape their tragic fall.Anyway, enough of the speculation. Back to my review of the film. This was filmed on a budget of around $165 000 000. So what does that not inconsiderable sum get you these days. Well...it gets you the best Sci-Fi director for a start. The man responsible for Arrival and Bladerunner 2049 would be hard to beat. Ridley Scott (Prometheus, The Martian, Raised By Wolves) and Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) would have been good as well. But they got their man. And once they had him, he knew who to get next.And that brings me to a whole new paragraph. And. Hans Zimmer. Because while the cast is exceptional and ply their trade with great skill, this is very much an artistic film. Epic in nature, grandiose in vision, from the watery windswept Caladan to the sweeping desert vistas of Arrakis. The score is spine-tingling and innovative. Who would have thought bagpipes could mix with the obvious middle eastern leanings. Zimmer turned down Tenet and No Time To Die in favour of Dune. I think he made the right call.Going back to the cast. The greatest Sci-Fi of all time needs star power. So here you have the next young pretender Timothee Chalamet. I can't think of anyone else who has the youth, waif like appearance, and acting talent to portray the steely tempered innocence of Paul Atriedes. Zendaya is the focus of his dreams of foresight and although she has little to do as Chani other than act mysterious and beguile the viewer. She does it very well. And don't forget she does utter the closing words to the film. In all seriousness though Villeneuve has already said she will be very much at the centre of the sequel along with Paul. Rebecca Ferguson is superb as Lady Jessica. As a member of the all female Bene Gesserit order. She exhibits both their chilling demeanour and internal conflict with her maternal instincts for Paul. She knows how to play the long game and is aware of the trap that the Emperor has laid. As is Duke Leto played by Oscar Isaac. The role calls for honour, nobility, and self sacrifice, he delivers all three, and throws in a bit of fatherly love as well. To these you can add Jason Momoa as the warrior Duncan Idaho. He adds some much needed levity and teaches the Emperor's Sardaukar troops that they are not quite the elite force they believe themselves to be. As do the native Fremen. And speaking of them. Yet another A Lister in Javier Bardem as Stilgar one of the Fremen leaders. He sounds basically the same as in every other film he's ever been in. But his is the voice of reason. And it works. Other notables include a gruffly stern Josh Brolin (a lesser minstrel than in the book) as Gurney Halleck. Dave Bautista as the brutish Glossu Rabban. Whose uncle is the even more brutish grossly repugnant Baron Vladimir Harkonnen played with sinister sibilance by Stellan Skarsgard. There are more...but my finger's starting to cramp. Suffice to say...Villeneuve said...Dune anyone?..And everyone who is anyone wanted a piece of that!Hopefully I have given some idea of the spectacle that this film is. Filmed on a grand scale. The complexity of the first half of the book pared down to 2.5 hours of plotting and treachery that leads to the fall of House Atriedes. An Emperor (who you won't see till Part Two) trying to destabilise those who might become strong enough to challenge him. Who in turn is but a pawn in the hands of the Bene Gesserit whose almost alien intelligence and powers seek to create the perfect bloodline. The irony being that their manipulation forces Paul Atriedes on the path to creating an unstoppable monster. Every action has a consequence. And underpinning it all the spice Melange found on one planet whose deadly environment has created an army of deadly fighters waiting for their Mesiah...their Jihad...This is of course all my own opinion. Their have been lots of reviews that praised the look but deemed it all a bit shallow. I can understand how some might see it as a bit pretentious. Both Arrival and Bladerunner 2049 had a similar detachment of feeling and visual priority. But I think the overall rating on sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes accurately reflects the post covid success that this film has been.Now I'm off to buy the soundtrack...

amazing cinematography, amazing soundtrack, amazing set design, amazing plot

The book is on my top 10 and I wasn’t disappointed with the movie version.

Great cinematography, the writing and acting is phenomenal.

I'm a fan of Dune and have been patiently waiting to see this film for years. I absolutely love it! It puts the old Dune to shame (and I watched that multiple times). Very rewatchable also, can't wait to see the next one!

Great buy quality excellent

Beautiful score, cinematography and acting.

I had bought this as a birthday gift but surprised to receive what appears to be a Polish Copy. I live in Scotland and although the movie played in English was dissapointed that the cover was in Polish.