Dune (2021)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Dune (2021) – D. Villeneuve

Perhaps coincidentally, I had just finished reading Frank Herbert’s Dune (1965) a couple of years ago when Denis Villeneuve’s filmed version was first announced.  I had seen David Lynch’s 1984 film version in high school but didn’t understand it; I watched it again recently after reading the book and found it a weirdly abbreviated rendition of the novel.  So, Villeneuve probably made the right choice in deciding to film Dune’s sprawling narrative across two separate films. This first film takes us from the moment when the members of House Atreides, ruled by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), first learn that they will become the new denizens/guardians of the planet Arrakis, with its massive spice mining operation, rebellious indigenous people, and impossibly hot desert climate, to the point where, having suffered a cruel twist of fate (engineered by an evil emperor), Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother (Rebecca Ferguson) (both with spiritual/supernatural powers) flee into the desert into the arms of the Fremen people (led by Javiar Bardem). Villeneuve and his team demonstrate impressive technical virtuosity in bringing the novel to the screen – it’s epic and serious, forboding and sometimes grim (all the actors speak in a pronounced stage whisper, filled with portentousness).  Although otherworldly, the CGI is not intrusive but blends into the dusky colour scheme of the film – yet you never forget that this is science fiction taking place in another time and place (with giant sandworms swarming through the desert, how could you?). I suspect, however, that not having read the book might be a disadvantage when watching the film. Villeneuve trots out a large array of characters, most of whom are not fully developed, and moves the action in a relatively exposition-less way from significant episode to significant episode. Knowing the story surely helps to provide the glue that holds it all together. Perhaps too only fans of the book will be pleased with a film that ends with the suggestion that we are only really at the beginning. Fortunately, I’m in that camp and I look forward to Part 2.