Dune: Part One

Adapted from Dune novel by Frank Herbert

Movie Rating

IMDb: 8.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 83%

Critic’s: 4.0/5.0

Audience Rating: 4.5/5.0

Cast & Crew

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Stellan Skarsgård – Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Dave Bautista – Glossu Rabban, Charlotte Rampling – Gaius Helen Mohiam (a bene Gesserit Reverend Mother), Sharon Duncan-Brewster Dr. Liet-Kynes, Chang Chen Dr. Wellington Yueh, Javier Bardem – Stilgar

Music Director: Hans Zimmer

Cinematography: Greig Fraser

Production Companies: Legendary Pictures, Villeneuve Films

Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures

“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”

–       Frank Herbert, Dune

Synopsis

Set in the year 10191, Dune transports you into a far, far phantasmal land in the interstellar space amidst alien ways of life where the feud for mélange is growing grave and in the heart of this stands the liberator, Paul Atreides of the noble House Atreides.

The struggle to exploit the priceless and rare element called the ‘Spice’ of the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis is at its epitome when the tyrannical, evil House Harkonnen is decreed to leave by the ‘Emperor’ of the Imperium. The leader of the ocean planet Caladan, Duke Leto I of House Atreides is approached by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV to serve as the fief ruler of Arrakis and to manage the spice harvesting crises.

Though the wise duke accepts the stewardship, he is aware of the strife that exists between those seeking to exploit the spice for riches by powering interstellar travel and the native nomadic tribes; the Fremen with the characteristic sparkling blue eyes, who believe that the spice is the elixir of life and must be revered and preserved.

The clash of intentions has led to the development of perilous conspiracies among many clans, which the Atreides family and army would face as soon as they set foot on Arrakis heading to the magical and mysterious land aiming to create a peaceful business relationship through diplomatic negotiations and fair-trading policies.

Amid all the political warfare, ambush, deception, bloodthirst for power, sorcery, and the finely woven mysterious master plan of life, Paul strives to survive with the help of a few loyal bravehearts. At the same time, begins his ascension to the fate of the Messiah, known as the Kwisatz Haderach, whom the Bene Gesserit, a religious cult of mages is trying to bring alive for generations.

Dune Movie Review

An adaptation from Frank Herbert’s 1965 science-fiction novel, Dune brings forth a journey of an advanced race of humans across interstellar settlement amidst other alien species set in the far future.

The story flows in a lyrical pattern through visions and events taking place in chronological order, the narrative is driven by the two central characters of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya).

Denis Villeneuve’s exemplary direction to the cast adds to the beauty of the movie. His attention to minute details and the patience to develop the depth of characters and events are nonpareil. The Dune is the third sci-fi movie he has directed. He did Dune since his first read of the book in his teens left him totally obsessed with it. The novel seemed like an oasis in the desert.

Besides the expert direction, another winning factor of Dune lies in the power-packed performances delivered by Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson. Though Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, and Zendaya have lesser screen times, they have perfected their assigned characters flawlessly. The antagonistic characters performed by Dave Bautista and Stellan Skarsgård have given the much-needed formidable air in the movie.

Timothée Chalamet has aptly lived the character of Paul Atreides, and he has once again proven his versatility as an actor. Oscar Isaac has also well played the role of a wise and noble ruler.

Visual effects are adequate to give you the feeling of confronting alien lands. Shot for IMAX, Dune can captivate the viewers through its immersive visual effects and a soulful soundtrack by none other than Hans Zimmer.

The costumes sometimes derive some semblance with existing religions and traditions of many races across the Earth.

Donned with fewer yet powerful action sequences, ornithopters, gargantuan sandworms, and future-age technology to harvest rare minerals, Dune is certainly capable of creating a long-lasting impression in the viewer’s mind and now with Covid-19 restriction upliftment in most parts of the world, it does call for a theatrical experience.

“Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.” Frank Herbert, Dune