Dune (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'Dune' (directed by visionary Denis Villeneuve), based on a deemed-unfilmable sci-fi novel, is a remake of David Lynch's ambitious, if messy 1984 film. Covering the 1st half of the book, 'Dune' begins in the year 10191 & informs us that 'spice' is the most valuable thing in the universe – a hallucinogenic & healing mineral that is also used for interstellar travel. Arrakis ("Dune") is controlled by the ruthless Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), whose armies - led by Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) - oppress the planet's cavern-dwelling Fremen people. So Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), head of House Atreides, has been tasked by the emperor of the galaxy to supplant House Harkonnen as stewards of Arrakis, the only known planet where spice can be mined.
Despite political deceit afoot, he aims to travel to Arrakis with longtime concubine, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), & their son, Paul (Timothee Chalamet) in hopes for an alliance with Fremen leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Like his witch mother, Paul possesses psychic/mind-control powers; something that piques the interest of Lady Jessica's leader, Rev. Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling). After Paul passes a severe test {WHAT a scene!}, she ponders that he might be the 'messiah' prophesied to save the world. Once on Arrakis, Duke Leto, with warrior Duncan (Jason Momoa), weapon expert Gurney (Josh Brolin), & Dr. Wellington Yueh (Chang Chen) in tow ... are faced with resistance from the Fremen and are warned by imperial ecologist Dr. Liet Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) of the planet's vast dangers; including weather so hot that survival is near-impossible, & gargantuan killer sandworms which lurk below the surface. All the while, Paul dreams of a bewitching blue-eyed Fremen woman named Chani (Zendaya) ... and Baron Harkonnen plots an all-out attack. Action & drama ensues.
What a spellbinding, transfixing cinematic experience this was, for me. In this 1st of two 'Dune' films, director Denis Villeneuve smooths out the more cumbersome parts of the source material {dense political lore, myriads of characters} by providing a thrilling spectacle to overcome the slower sections. Like his earlier films Prisoners, Arrival & Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve lends a languorous mood to the storytelling, allowing us viewers to take-in the vast landscapes, other-worldly costumes & set pieces; aided by stupendous visual effects, both practical & CGI {I'm reminded of the dragonfly ships, the labyrinthine Arrakis city, & a sandstorm sequence that left my mouth agape, wondering: "how did they - the filmmakers - achieve that!?"}. Movie magic.
Other memorable highlights include Paul enduring the Rev. Mother's excruciating gom jobbat test, a nighttime assault on the city, & witnessing the ginormous sandworms in all their terrifying glory. I also respect that the source material pre-dates & actually inspired such later works as Star Wars & even The Matrix. Unlike those iconic works, 'Dune' gets a bit bogged down with self-seriousness; I wouldn't have minded some more levity, more quirk, & some more color {to the palette]. And, of course, not unlike The Fellowship of the Ring, this lengthy film ends on a somewhat abrupt/paused note that may frustrate some viewers. To that, I firmly believe Villeneuve will reward his audience with a similarly stylish & fulfilling Part Two.
Timothee Chalamet is fantastic as the appealing Paul, whose puerile vulnerability is counterbalanced by his burgeoning powers. Rebecca Ferguson is superb as the near-neurotic Lady Jessica; an otherwise badass woman constantly worried that her 'messiah' son will survive the foretold prophecy. Oscar Isaac commands the screen as compassionate Duke Leto. Jason Momoa is charismatic as swaggering sword master, Duncan. Zendaya utilizes her scattershot screen time well as the enigmatic Chani. And Stellan Skarsgard is appropriately disgusting as vile Baron Harkonnen; malevolent under mounds of expertise make-up. With these top-notch portrayals, gorgeous visuals & Hans Zimmer's magnificent music score, Villenueve & co. have devised a cerebral, yet admirably accessible space opera for us to be immersed in. In the end, I'm left wanting more ... and that's a good thing.
Despite political deceit afoot, he aims to travel to Arrakis with longtime concubine, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), & their son, Paul (Timothee Chalamet) in hopes for an alliance with Fremen leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Like his witch mother, Paul possesses psychic/mind-control powers; something that piques the interest of Lady Jessica's leader, Rev. Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling). After Paul passes a severe test {WHAT a scene!}, she ponders that he might be the 'messiah' prophesied to save the world. Once on Arrakis, Duke Leto, with warrior Duncan (Jason Momoa), weapon expert Gurney (Josh Brolin), & Dr. Wellington Yueh (Chang Chen) in tow ... are faced with resistance from the Fremen and are warned by imperial ecologist Dr. Liet Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) of the planet's vast dangers; including weather so hot that survival is near-impossible, & gargantuan killer sandworms which lurk below the surface. All the while, Paul dreams of a bewitching blue-eyed Fremen woman named Chani (Zendaya) ... and Baron Harkonnen plots an all-out attack. Action & drama ensues.
What a spellbinding, transfixing cinematic experience this was, for me. In this 1st of two 'Dune' films, director Denis Villeneuve smooths out the more cumbersome parts of the source material {dense political lore, myriads of characters} by providing a thrilling spectacle to overcome the slower sections. Like his earlier films Prisoners, Arrival & Blade Runner 2049, Villeneuve lends a languorous mood to the storytelling, allowing us viewers to take-in the vast landscapes, other-worldly costumes & set pieces; aided by stupendous visual effects, both practical & CGI {I'm reminded of the dragonfly ships, the labyrinthine Arrakis city, & a sandstorm sequence that left my mouth agape, wondering: "how did they - the filmmakers - achieve that!?"}. Movie magic.
Other memorable highlights include Paul enduring the Rev. Mother's excruciating gom jobbat test, a nighttime assault on the city, & witnessing the ginormous sandworms in all their terrifying glory. I also respect that the source material pre-dates & actually inspired such later works as Star Wars & even The Matrix. Unlike those iconic works, 'Dune' gets a bit bogged down with self-seriousness; I wouldn't have minded some more levity, more quirk, & some more color {to the palette]. And, of course, not unlike The Fellowship of the Ring, this lengthy film ends on a somewhat abrupt/paused note that may frustrate some viewers. To that, I firmly believe Villeneuve will reward his audience with a similarly stylish & fulfilling Part Two.
Timothee Chalamet is fantastic as the appealing Paul, whose puerile vulnerability is counterbalanced by his burgeoning powers. Rebecca Ferguson is superb as the near-neurotic Lady Jessica; an otherwise badass woman constantly worried that her 'messiah' son will survive the foretold prophecy. Oscar Isaac commands the screen as compassionate Duke Leto. Jason Momoa is charismatic as swaggering sword master, Duncan. Zendaya utilizes her scattershot screen time well as the enigmatic Chani. And Stellan Skarsgard is appropriately disgusting as vile Baron Harkonnen; malevolent under mounds of expertise make-up. With these top-notch portrayals, gorgeous visuals & Hans Zimmer's magnificent music score, Villenueve & co. have devised a cerebral, yet admirably accessible space opera for us to be immersed in. In the end, I'm left wanting more ... and that's a good thing.