PIC OF THE WEEK!
Movie Review – Dune
Review by Ray Schillaci
I must admit, I went into seeing this latest iteration of the beloved Frank Herbert book Dune with low expectations largely due to the director. I did not care for Prisoners and Blade Runner 2049. Although, I loved Arrival up until the end. Whatever qualms I had with his past films were immediately sandblasted away once the theater went dark and the enormity of his new world building science fiction extravaganza was unveiled on the big screen.
Before 2001:a space odyssey, Star Trek, Star Wars and Game of Thrones, there was Dune, considered the best selling science fiction novel in history. Author Frank Herbert carefully developed an intricate story taking place in a faraway future that touched upon environmental, socio-political and religious issues. He developed a whole new language much like Anthony Burgess did with A Clockwork Orange where the dedicated reader would need to refer to a glossary at the back of the book. To top it off, Dune would launch an entire franchise consisting of six books by Herbert set in the Dune Universe. After Herbert’s death, there would be another ten books that consisted of prequels and sequels written by his son, Brian and co-authored by Kevin J. Anderson.
For decades, Dune was considered an impossible feat to film. Many top talents were considered to helm it, from Ridley Scott to cult director and visionary Alejandro Jodorowsky (El Topo, The Holy Mountain). In the early ’80s that task was assigned to the young wunderkind, avant-garde filmmaker David Lynch who had only two features under his belt at the time, Eraserhead and The Elephant Man. The film was tagged as a Star Wars for adults and plagued with budget issues, creative differences and, in the end, was a box office flop. Over the years, the movie has gained a cult following with an appreciation of Lynch’s obscure retro sci-fi look, the bizarre oddities he was known to display and at least attempting to capture the flavor of Herbert’s renowned novel.
Director Denis Villenueve proved himself visually with both Arrival and Blade Runner 2049 and would face the seemingly impossible task to bring Herbert’s science fiction opus to the big screen (working around a worldwide pandemic on top of it all). By not rushing into Herbert’s story, daring to delve into all of his themes, taking time with character development all the while delivering an awe-inspiring vision, Villenueve and his co-writers Jon Spaihts (Dr. Strange) and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider) have finally delivered the one true and faithful version of the Herbert novel.
The only drawbacks might be those expecting the fast paced whiz-bang theatrics of the Star Wars franchise will be disappointed and those that have skipped reading the novel may get lost trying to keep up with the characters and their motives. Then there is the open ending that will leave the average audience frustrated and Dune fans excited for Part 2.
What some may not be aware is that the book Dune could never properly be told with just one film. The story is too expansive. There is also a hint of Villenueve’s cold touch that can be off putting and keep us from embracing his characters. But, the power of his actors tends to override that, especially with its star Timothée Chalamet along with Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson and a wonderfully heinous turn by Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen.
Those unfamiliar with the plot will not be able to help themselves from drawing comparisons to GOT with its intrigue of houses of power vying to take control. This time with a planet whose only precious resource is the “spice” that extends human vitality and is crucial for interstellar travel. Harvesting the spice is no easy task. Aside from dealing with the the fierce indigenous people, the Fremen, there are the feared sandworms that are up to 1,300 feet long and 130 feet in diameter, dwarfing anything in the Tremors franchise.
There are also intriguing subplots. The Fremen protecting their harvest, paying respect to the sandworms and awaiting the coming of their messiah. The House Atreides and their leader Duke Leto having successfully ruled over the ocean planet are now being relocated by the emperor to rule over Arrakis, the desert planet which the cruel and power hungry House Harkonnen originally ruled over, led by the behemoth Baron Harkonnen.
The Duke’s family has their reservations. His concubine, Lady Jessica, is part of an exclusive sisterhood that brandish advanced physical and mental abilities. Many years ago, Jessica was instructed to bear a daughter with the Duke for the breeding program, but she bore a son, Paul. Her son is not only trained by the Duke’s best warriors, he is also skilled in his mother’s ways. And, Paul has been having visions of Arrakis, having never been there, and is haunted by a mysterious young female Fremen. As time goes on, Jessica believes her son could be the messiah as has been foretold.
The Duke accepts his summons to Arrakis and moves his family to the desert planet in hopes of creating an alliance with the Fremen that was never achieved by the previous house. But, he finds that the Baron left the machines in shambles, setting the Duke too fail. This leads to a subterfuge by House Harkonnen, an attempt on Paul’s life and an all out war between the Harkonnen and Atreides with the Emperor siding with the Baron.
Dune leaves the audience with open ended questions that can only be answered by Part 2, and that will be off-putting to those who have not read the book. But, the gorgeous world building and beautiful rhythm that director Villenueve infuses in his film along with some memorable characters more than makes up for the missing resolutions.
Sumptuous cinematography, a terrific production and sound design along with the glorious immensity of it all and sweeping music score makes Villenueve’s film one that should be seen on as big a screen as possible. This is where I send out a special word out to all projectionists and management of theater franchises…get your sh*t together. Too many times I have been in a theater and the picture was slightly out of focus. This is not an easy fix since so many of us do not want too miss anything on the screen just to complain about the quality of the picture.
This is a sure fire way to keep people in their homes watching a sharp 4K picture on their 60+” screen. The other advantage, bathroom breaks, the ability to pause when needed. Now, that may be too much to ask theaters showing 2+ hour films. But, can they at least get the sound and picture right?
So, listen up #Regal, #AMC, #Cineworld, #Cinemark and others – take a cue from #Laemmle and make sure you are delivering the best picture and sound possible for your audience otherwise they will finish up what the pandemic started – closing multiplexes down. Your action or inactions will tell HBO audiences whether it’s worth it shelling out that price for admission, concessions and parking. In the case of the event film (Dune, No Time To Die, Black Widow) all it takes a couple of so-so screenings to keep us all on the couch.
Visit Ray’s blog at themonsterinmyhead.com
Directed by: Denis Villenueve
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Run Time: 155 Minutes
Rated: R
Country: USA/Canada
Distributor: Warner Brothers/HBO Max
