Dune Review: The Mammoth And Exciting First Chapter Of The Saga Based On The Novels Of Frank Herbert

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista

Ratings: 4/5 (four star) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Considered for years an “infallible” novel and with good reason given the failed attempts of masters like Lynch and Jodorowsky, Frank Herbert’s masterpiece finally returns to the cinema. Dune, of which we propose the review, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is the cinematographic transposition of the novel of the same name that has made school as regards the science fiction genre. The Warner Bros has decided to risk funding a difficult and expensive project and entrusting it in the hands of an author who in the past has flopped. The Blade Runner 2049 by the Canadian director has in fact unanimously convinced critics without finding the public’s response. Apparently, however, the Warner bosses have decided to trust Villeneuve again and after a long wait, also due to the pandemic, we are ready to enjoy this epic.

Presented out of competition at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, Dune brings together a stellar cast to say the least. Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skaarsgard; hadn’t seen a movie with so many big names in years. It must be said, however, that although it has never been advertised like this, the title that appears on the screen at the beginning of the film is Dune: Part One. Someone would say a Pulcinella secret and that’s basically it. We all knew that transposing the entire novel into a single film would be impossible and David Lynch’s film proves it. Despite the extremely introductory character, the film presents itself as an incredible and majestic experience that must necessarily be lived inside a cinema.

Dune Review Story Plot: the uncertain future of a people 

In the very distant future, Duke Leto of the Atreides family is forced to accept an arduous task. The emperor, in fact, entrusts him with command of the planet Arrakis, the most important possession in the entire galaxy. Arrakis is a desert land nicknamed Dune and is of fundamental importance due to via della Spezia. This amazing substance not only prolongs life and provides superhuman mental abilities, but it is the foundation of all interstellar travel. What looks like a gift is actually a trap, a cunning plan to wipe out the most powerful and dangerous house from existence. For years, the dominion of the planet has been entrusted to the Harkonnen family who have been ordered to abandon it, with the sole aim of carrying out a surprise attack on the new inhabitants.

Leto is well aware of the trap he is falling into and in an attempt to save his people he tries to forge an alliance with the Fremen; the real inhabitants of the planet Arrakis and skilled experts in the use of spice. Meanwhile, the heir to the throne of the Atreides, Paul is studded with doubts about the leadership role he will have to assume. His insecurities increase when, arriving on the planet, he is welcomed as the new messiah; the long-awaited savior who would finally free the Fremen and restore peace. His mother Jessica belongs to the religious cult of the Bene Gesserit and aware of the weight that weighs on her son’s shoulders, she tries in every way to protect him. Besieged by the entire galaxy, the Atreides will have to draw on all the forces at their disposal to avoid the extinction of the entire house.

Dune The Review and Analysis

There is a reason why Dune has been considered an infilmable novel. Frank Herbert’s masterpiece includes religion, philosophy and science fiction with a capital f. This set of complex and articulated elements must be the background to an intergalactic history in which peoples, empires and families collide with each other. Looking at the film, however, one cannot help but be amazed by the immense skill of Villeneuve, who managed to introduce such a complex plot with extreme clarity. In two and a half hours there is only a glimpse of what the real story is and some may be disappointed by the extremely introductory nature of the film. Dune: Part One could almost be considered a prologue; yet it is so rich in information, presented with such clarity of exposition, that one cannot complain, not even in the face of an ending that cuts the story cleanly at the most beautiful point.

Many of the characters featured are marginal and many cast members have a role as close to the definition of a cameo as possible. Villenueve’s intention is evident to present the protagonists right away, without however showing them all together. Bautista, Zendaya, Bardem are just some of the high-sounding names capable of bringing the audience into the hall; audience that in all likelihood will be disappointed in discovering how little their favorites are in the story. The point is that Dune is only the first piece of the puzzle and with this awareness we are willing to accept such a compromise. It is impossible to emphasize so many characters at once, and Villenueve’s choice to proceed gradually is certainly the best.

We have said in this review how Dune is an introductory film, but still conclusive and satisfying. The main characters, in particular Leto and Paul Atreides, have an evolutionary arc that begins and ends, at least for now, with the end of the film. Paul is doubtful about his own future and abilities, especially when the hopes of an entire people fall on his shoulders. A people who see in him a Messiah, a savior; while the one we face is nothing more than a boy forced to face his greatest fears. On the other hand, however, not all the characters are treated in this way and if for some the future looks bright, others are abandoned to their fate. It goes without saying that on this two and a half hour journey not everyone arrives safely at the end.

With such a vast history and such a large roster of characters there is no time to dwell on the deepening of each of them. So that when some of these falls in battle you are left with a bitter taste in your throat, with an unsatisfied curiosity and desire to know more. In spite of everything, these characters left in the middle, left to themselves, work incredibly. It will be the dialogues or the skill of the actors, but despite seeing each of them for a few minutes, all of them, from the first to the last, remain strongly impressed in the mind of the spectator.  The problem always remains that the time available is too little and this does not allow us to adequately value everyone’s work. Unfortunately, staging such a plot involves sacrifices and, perhaps, a hypothetical extended version will be able to make up for the shortcomings of this film, dictated by the haste to tell and introduce as much as possible.

Vlleneuve has recommended several times to see Dune at the cinema and we too in this review find ourselves renewing the offer. From a visual point of view the film is nothing short of spectacular. The planets, the spaceships, the worms of the sand and everything related to this fantastic world is made with a care and attention to detail to be frightening. If you add Hans Zimmer’s elegant direction and overwhelming soundtrack, the vision becomes almost a physical experience. You are inundated by the power of the images seen on the big screen, accompanied by music capable of making the walls vibrate. It must be said that this time Zimmer did not give his best. The soundtrack acts as a perfect accompaniment to the events of the story, giving epicness and solemnity to the whole, but it fails to be remembered.

The absence of a main theme or at least a memorable leitmotif is perceived and this is unexpected for an artist of the caliber of Hans Zimmer. Overall, the technical sector of the film is frightening; the costumes and sets created give it a clear and precise identity, distinguishing it from any other science fiction film. It was to be expected, Dune is a mammoth work and its biggest problem is that it lasts too short. Mind you, the film lasts 155 minutes but at the end of the vision the spasmodic desire to see more will consume you. There is no doubt that this will be a divisive film, between those who appreciate the immense work done and those who consider it as a pilot episode, unable to meet the needs of the public. However you want to see it, it is undeniable that Villenueve has succeeded in a very difficult undertaking and we just have to hope that this epic will continue as soon as possible.

Dune Review: The Final Words

The operation done by Villeneuve and Warner was not at all simple. Because Dune is a very difficult novel to adapt, even with a large budget and a long duration. In evaluating this film, indeed this project, one cannot fail to take all this into account, also because a definitive judgment can only be given after the second part. The defects are not lacking indeed they will probably be evident to everyone already at a first glance, but at the same time there are so many successful aspects that it is quite easy to turn a blind eye and wait for the next chapter. With a doubt, however: will it be only two films or will it even aim at a trilogy?

Positive Sides

• Technical sector from fear
• Villenueve manages to introduce such a complex story with disarming clarity

Negative Sides

• Characters with little depth and not valued due to the rush to tell
• The extremely introductory character of the film might leave some unsatisfied