Dune

Dune

Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

  • Released: 2021-09-15
  • Runtime: 155 minutes
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
  • Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Chang Chen, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Babs Olusanmokun, Benjamin Clémentine, Golda Rosheuvel, Souad Faress, Roger Yuan, Oliver Ryan, Stephen Collins, Charlie Rawes, Elmi Rashid Elmi, Gloria Obianyo, Paul Bullion, Balázs Megyeri, Peter Sztojanov Jr., Björn Freiberg, Ferenc Iván Szabó, István Áldott, Richard Carter, Seun Shote, Neil Bell, Benjamin Dilloway, Tachia Newall, István Áldott, Fehinti Balogun, Dora Kápolnai-Schvab, Joelle, Jimmy Walker, Milena Sidorova, János Timkó, Jean Gilpin, Marianne Faithfull, Ellen Dubin, Joelle
  • Director: Denis Villeneuve
 Comments
  • yvesliu-58561 - 24 June 2024
    Nice
    The story follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a young nobleman who is thrust into a world of political intrigue and destiny on the desert planet of Arrakis. Known for its valuable spice, Arrakis is a coveted prize, and the Atreides family is entrusted with its stewardship. As rival factions vie for control, Paul must navigate treacherous waters to fulfill his destiny.

    Chalamet delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Paul's journey from an unsure youth to a figure of immense potential. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto, and Zendaya as Chani. Each actor brings depth to their roles, enhancing the film's emotional core.

    Visually, "Dune" is a triumph. The stark beauty of Arrakis is captured in sweeping desert vistas and intricate set designs. Cinematographer Greig Fraser's work is nothing short of breathtaking, making the harsh landscapes both beautiful and foreboding. The visual effects are seamless, blending practical and digital elements to create a believable and immersive world.

    Hans Zimmer's score is another highlight, providing a soundscape that is both otherworldly and deeply evocative. The music enhances the film's epic tone, with haunting melodies that linger long after the credits roll.

    One of the most commendable aspects of Villeneuve's "Dune" is its respect for the source material. The screenplay, co-written by Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth, remains faithful to Herbert's vision while making necessary adjustments for a modern audience. The film's pacing allows for the intricate plot to unfold naturally, though some viewers might find it slower than typical blockbusters. However, this deliberate pace is a strength, providing the story with the space it needs to breathe and for characters to develop.

    "Dune" is also thematically rich, exploring themes of power, destiny, and the clash of cultures. It delves into the ecological and socio-political aspects of Herbert's universe, providing a thought-provoking experience that resonates with contemporary issues.

    However, it's worth noting that "Dune" is only the first part of a planned series, and the film ends with a sense of anticipation for what is to come. Some viewers might find this lack of resolution frustrating, but it sets the stage for an even grander narrative arc.

    In conclusion, "Dune" (2021) is a cinematic epic that successfully brings Frank Herbert's complex and richly detailed world to life. With its stellar performances, stunning visuals, and profound themes, it stands as one of the best sci-fi films of recent years. Villeneuve has crafted a film that is both a visual spectacle and a deeply engaging story, ensuring that "Dune" will be remembered as a landmark achievement in the genre.
  • jochemunlimited - 12 June 2024
    I watch a little more... And a little more... And a little more...
    I know Dune from the computer games when I was young. I missed the first part, but Dune 2 was awesome at that time (I heard part 1 was different). I saw some flashes of the old series and I tried to read the book. But somehow I lost interest after a few times. But maybe I must read it in my own language. I can already say that I want to read the book again.

    So I wanted to watch this movie while walking for 30 minutes. I forgot the time, before and after I also kept watching. I think this is one of the definitions of a movie. Many beautiful shots, great atmosphere, great sound and the decor, people, suits, equipement, ships, machines etc. Everything together gives a special vibe.

    But I do not like everything. Meeting with the Fremen was a bit weird and I think some actors were a bit miscasted or not giving everything. And other actors were bullseye.

    I also did not like that some things seem to be going fast suddenly where other thing are going slow. I have the feeling that some scenes are just filling while form other things I wanted to know more. Like the spice, the production, the worm, the houses etc.

    But I think it will not fit in one movie and maybe it will be explained later on, I do not know. But I understand it is a difficult book to film. And I like it. It gives me a special feeling that I mostly do not get when watching a movie. I do not like art, like paintings etc. But this really looks like art, with the big and wide shots, the big industrial scenes and the mystic scenes. Also the music is really helping. You are sometimes a bit misdirected on purpose and then you get the suprise. That is really nice.

    So I am really looking forward for part 2.
  • ignacioazurdiacr - 30 May 2024
    A pretty good, and beautifully looking, introduction to a grandiloquent space saga.
    A pretty good introduction to the Hero's journey of Paul Atreides in a world that looks beautiful; as usually are in Denis Villeneuve filmography.

    Those shots, that camera work, its scenery, its CGI... Every visual is state of the art.

    Few things can be criticized like one secondary, but important character, making a heroic but unnecessary act or an apparently inmortal villager surfing one of the main beasts at the end.

    But, overall, the production value of this film is top notch, mainly because of how beautiful it looks and because its story and the pace in its storytelling is perfect for a first installment of a grandiloquent space saga like Dune is.
  • Mecces17 - 8 January 2023
    An impressive, monumental movie, that left me emotionless
    Dune is a good movie, in fact it's a great movie if it comes to all the technical aspects and basic needs of an all-around strong movie. The trumpets keep on booming and roaring from the first second on, as one is used to it, if (s)he's watching a Villeneuve-movie. It's the same in 'Blade Runner 2049' and Villeneuve has to kind of do this, as his films are still blockbusters shown on the big screen. But, I keep finding myself liking the smaller and calmer moments more, because Villeneuve got a good feeling for intimate pictures and conversations (compare: Arrival or Incendies).

    Back to Dune, as the trumpets are still roarin, my ears are rumbling, the soundtrack is great and I've got goosebumps all over my arms. I wonder myself why there are goosebumps, because I don't really feel anything. This film is somehow entertaining, it's somehow captivating, but something is missing. This might of course be a unfulfilled personal preference, but I feel the characters are a bit too sober in this mostly grey and cold world.

    Don't get me wrong. I really like Villeneuve and I like him for what he is doing for modern cinema at the moment. But sometimes I'd like him to minimize his scope, because I feel that there's a lot more he could tell us.

    Dune is a statement, a figurehead for Villeneuve himself, but I don't think Villeneuve wants to be the main man here. It's a statement for modern cinema, for all the rumblings, the soundtracks, the pictures, the big screen, which we all weren't able to attend in two of the last three years. That's actually a big thing I think. Dune brings it all to the screen. The entertainment, the (flawed, but still solid) emotions, the dazzling pictures, the effects - the flick contains everything we want to see on screen. And it aims really high, which is noteworthy. I - personally - found myself comparing the scope of this production to the Star Wars franchise, or the Lord of the Rings franchise, all set in another world, with other characters. Not that Villeneuve wants to copy anything or that he wants to surpass them - but he aims for an equal and comparable scope and world, which is remarkable.

    Nevertheless, i still felt kind of emotionless, untouched, as the film was over. I hope Villeneuve gets me hooked with his second part, which I'm willing to see right on the big screen.
  • milandjordjevic-78857 - 29 December 2022
    Great adaptation of the book but left us all in to long excepting part two!!! expectance
    Very faithfully follows the first out of 3 books that where covered by Original Dune front 1984-th I believe, but the whole Dune Saga numbers 6 books for which I hope they will all bee put on screen during my lifetime. I personally enjoyed every min of it, and would recommend it to both HC fans of F. Herbert's masterwork or total strangers to it. Nice effects, even though I loved First Baron Harkonen better. I love the way they introduce us to the spice and it's works on the mind of ppl that get in touch to it. Personally: If someone invented a Bible as a follow up book to be quoted in a book it deserves you to give it a chance, you won't regret it I promise Peace and Love.

    Gemi.
  • chani_ridley - 20 December 2022
    Surprisingly awesome
    I went to see this mainly because my parents named me Chani and I've always been curious about the characters and storyline. I tried to read the book when I was younger but it wasn't my cup of tea and the first movie made in the 80's was pretty bad. However I gave this new one a go and it was incredibly well done. The visuals, the characters, the costumes, the visuals and the music and the storyline were all very well done. I'm really glad it wasn't another mostly action based sci-fi. The CGI was really well done and I absolutely loved the aircraft they created! I liked the pace of the film (it wasn't about having a million things happen at once) and the harkanan were perfectly evil! I'm really looking forward to seeing the next film to see how it unfolds!
  • frukuk - 3 December 2022
    As bland as sand
    I appreciate not everyone will like the quirkiness of David Lynch's 1984 version of Dune, but Denis Villeneuve's 2021 version is so very boring and unaffecting.

    The final hour or so was just a decompressed nothing. And the scenes that should have packed emotional punch, simply fell flat. (The score is over the top and in no way compensates for the weak storytelling.)

    I do feel that Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya were miscast. While Paul Atriedes is meant, I believe, to be a rather gentle soul, Timothée Chalamet plays him as a strange mixture of low energy teenager and budding megalomaniac. And all Paul's visions involving Chani, played by Zendaya, make this seem like nothing more than a teen romance.
  • bryangary65 - 16 November 2022
    Three main actors shine
    Beautifully shot and spectacular to look at so no surprise it won Oscars for Visual effects and Cinematography but was expecting better given overall rating with the storyline not really grabbing me emotional wise

    However with this film the first of a probably trilogy then you were never going to get 100%, having said that it's entertaining enough and any film with the charismatic acting talent of Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya featuring is always worth a watch Hans Zimmer got the Oscar for his original score here, but personally thought it wasn't his best, also it's a movie best watched on a big screen given it's awards.
  • winak - 23 October 2022
    Surprisingly good !!!
    Inspite of not boasting major Hollywood stars it exceeded my expectations. 8 millenium away is beyond any timelines we have seen in the past. Initially I thought it was going to be another Star Wars knock off, but the movie had it's own imaginations and story to tell, and well told. The storyline was cohesive, therefore interesting, it did not follow the well beaten path. The acting was to the point, all credit to the director. Audience weren't pummelled with weird looking alien race, as that has been done to death. Ferguson as the kick ass mother did not play second fiddle to anyone while Timothee played his part effectively well as the son. Looking forward to Part 2 , hope the director doesn't disappoint as usually is the case.