Tags
Arrakis, Baron Harkonnen, Denis Villeneuve, Dune, Dune 2021, Dune 2021 Film review, Dune Film Review, Dune Part 1, Frank Herbert, Fremen, Paul Atreides, Sandworms, Timothee Chalamet
Dune (2021) Film Review
Review by Paul Bowler.
Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, Dune, is finally here. Dune: Part One, follows the mythical emotional coming of age journey of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), a gifted young man born to face a destiny beyond anything he could’ve imagined on one of the most dangerous planets in the universe. When treachery strikes, Paul faces a battle for survival on the harsh desert world of Arrakis as the fate of the future, his family and his people hangs in the balance.
Right from the first scene of Dune: Part One it becomes clear that French-Canadian director of Blade Runner 2049 Denis Villeneuve has taken the rich narrative of Frank Herbert’s epic 1965 sci-fi novel – which many have long considered unfilmable – and masterfully captured the essence of Herbert’s work in a way that beautifully presents the intricate universe of Dune with its fascinating ensemble of characters, political power-struggles, intrigue and mysticism. The film is the first in a two part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune, with a screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Villeneuve and Eric Roth that effectively covers the first half of the first book.
Unlike David Lynch’s Dune, which was a disastrous and unfathomable flop that bombed at the box office 1984, David Villeneuve’s Dune manages to avoid the narrative pitfalls and correct many of that earlier film’s worst mistakes. The plot of Dune: Part One is far more cohesive as a result.
Villeneuve wisely gives the characters and sweeping subtexts of Herbert’s novel room to breath, the special effects are breathtaking and the score by Hans Zimmer is magnificent. Fans of the book are sure to love every moment of Villeneuve’s thoughtful and respectful adaptation. Newbies might find the pace of the first hour a bit slow, but the sheer scope and scale of the film, along with its incredible visuals, effortless draws you in as Paul Atreides embarks on epic journey of discovery.
Once again, Dune: Part One sees the action unfold on the planet Arrakis, a commodity-rich world, where gargantuan sandworms lurk beneath the desert plains and the blue-eyed Fremen are locked in guerrilla warfare with their colonial oppressors from the ruthless House Harkonnen. Now the emperor has decreed that Barron Haekonnen (Stellan Skarsagard) must relinquish his governance over Arrakis to make way for the House of Atreides to take over, and ensure the further procurement of Melange, or spice as it is know, the priceless substance that can extend human vitality and is essential to maintain interstellar travel. The Atreides leader, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), seeks to make a treaty with the Fremen, but before his radical plans can be implemented, the bloated Baron Harkonnen and his hulking nephew Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista) launch a devastating attack to seize back control of Arrakis.
Caught in the crossfire of the Harkonnen’s coup is Leto’s young son and heir, Paul (the perfectly cast Timothee Chalamet), and his mystical mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), who is also an acolyte of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, and both mother and son possess enhanced Jedi-like physical and mental abilities. They manage to escape the carnage and with some help from Paul’s sword-master mentor and friend, Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) along the way, Paul and his mother make the dangerous journey across sandworm territory to reach the Fremen, where Paul finally encounters the mysterious girl from his dreams, Chani (Zendaya). A ritual duel and haunting revelations await as Paul becomes further entwined with the Fremens’ messianic prophecies.
David Villeneuve’s Dune is mesmerising blend of intergalactic political intrigue, mystery, sci-fi monster action and adventure. Every moment of the 155-minute run time is well spent on melding characterisation and plot with accomplished ease, and although the ending is a bit abrupt it sets the stage nicely for the next chapter of Paul Atreides’ mission. Of course on the films release it wasn’t certain whether we’d actually get a part two and find out if Paul really is “The One”. Fortunately the film performed well at the box office (making $40 million during its opening weekend), and on 26th October 2021 Legendary, Warner Bros and director Denis Villeneuve confirmed that Dune: Part Two has now been officially green lit with a release date of October 20th 2023. Villeneuve’s inspired directorial vision and the films dazzling cinematography has brought Frank Herbert’s Dune to life on the big screen in the most spellbinding way imaginable. An awe-inspiring movie in its own right, Dune: Part One is everything fans could’ve hoped for, and more!
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
So far, everything I hear about this movie is good and just makes me want to watch it.
I really enjoyed Dune, Villeneuve has crafted an amazing film. The key elements of the book are all present, the cast are superb, and the visual effects are truly stunning. Definitely one to see on the big screen if you get the chance.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing the movie, so I was glad to read your positive review. I was hoping that both parts of the movies would’ve been filmed together. If I remember correctly, “Lord of the Rings” was filmed that way. Makes a kind of sense if you have all the actors together, and are already on location. But if that’s wrong, I’m really hoping a Part Two gets the thumbs up to get created.
I really enjoyed Dune and thought it was a superb adaptation of Herbert’s novel. I believe the new film was always intended to be filmed in two parts – although it probably would’ve been a better movie to film them back to back like you say in a similar to the Lord of the Rings trilogy was. As it stand, Dune: Part One is a great film in it own right, and it sets the stage for the second film really well. Fingers crossed we get Part Two, as it would be such a shame not to see Denis Villeneuve complete this epic saga.
I wouldn’t go as far as ‘every minute’ – some of the Chani stares were a bit too long for me – but overall I agree with your assessment. Excellent film, very well done by Villeneuve.
* ‘every moment’, sorry
That’s ok! 🙂
Yes, there were a few moments that were drawn out a bit, but I still think Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune was stunning. I’m so glad that Part 2 has now been officially confirmed as well. 🙂
Ah cool, I didn’t know of the confirmation, great news indeed. Hope it won’t take 3 or 4 years before it hits the screens.
Yes, its great news that Dune Part 2 has now been officially confirmed (I added that as soon as the new broke last night.) The next film has a release date for October 20th, 2023, so its a little bit of a wait but I’m sure it’ll be well worth it. Will be awesome to see David Villeneuve’s Dune completed.
I didn’t care for the original adaption of the book that came out way back in the day but by splitting it in two it sounds like the plot’s given more time to breath so the adventure feels more natural. I’ll definitely be checking this one out pretty soon. Too bad it’s such a long wait for part 2 though, I’m tempted to hold off just a bit to make the wait a bit shorter
I enjoyed this new version of Dune a lot. The story really gets a chance to develop and the visual effects were amazing. It is a really good film. Glad they have confirmed that Part 2 will now go ahead. It will be great to see the whole saga completed.
Good review, Paul. I’ve heard the same positive sentiments elsewhere. I missed out on a free ticket to see it as I was working 😦 But will make up for it later.
A really good idea to give it a two movie adaptation so it can breathe. I loved Kill Bill for this format too.
Shame you didn’t get to see it yet, but sure you’ll enjoy when you do. Dune is a great saga on an epic scale, l with rich characterisation and some amazing visual effects. I ‘m glad Part 2 has been officially confirmed now. Dune is such a big take I agree as well that it makes perfect sense to spread the story across two films.
Thank you for a great review!
You’re welcome. Dune is a great film, so glad they are going to make part two now and the whole saga will be completed.
Haven’t read the book, but I’ve heard it’s fantastic. At the same time, everyone I know who’s read the book says the 1984 movie is terrible. Good to hear that this one is better.
Yeah, this Dune movie is way better than the 1984 film. The book is a great as well. I really enjoyed Dune Part One, it was such a good adaptation of the novel. So glad that Part Two has been confirmed and we’ll now see the saga completed.
I’ve never read the book and I’ve never seen the 1984 film, but Dune is the best movie I’ve seen this year for 2021 releases. It’s too bad that this was just Part One because I was so invested that I was ready to go another two hours at the end. The movie did a great job of presenting material in a way that keeps your interest and has you craving more. What a great film and great review.
I thought Dune Part One was brilliant as well, so thrilled to see the story adapted properly for the big screen – the 1884 Dune film wasn’t great at all. Dune Part 1 is easily the best film I’ve seen so far this year. Shame Part 2 is a long way off but I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait. Cheers and glad you enjoyed the review.
I hope to see it. I am getting much of a feel of David Lynch’s 1984 film Dune.
I really enjoyed this new Dune movie. Its a great adaptation of the book and so epic in scale. So glad that pert two has also been green lit now. Will be great to see the whole saga completed.
I am intrigued!