‘DUNE’ (2020 cinema)
In 1994 a very thin, very grungy 16 year old me was given a much read and dog eared copy of what was, at the time, an obscure, intense and complicated sci fi novel called Dune. It quickly became an obsession. A novel that instantly grabbed me with its lore, its characterisation of politics and family and its in depth world building that spanned a galaxy. I loved my star wars/trek stuff for its space swash buckling but this was grown up stuff, for posey pseudo intellectuals like 16 year old me. It hung out of my college bag inviting conversation.
Over the next 27 years, this would be dragged out time and time again, each time I took more from it, age changed it for me, how I saw the world and how I identified with the key members of House Atreides. 16 year old me who followed Paul became older me understanding the position of Duke Leto.
There were countless follow up books, tv shows, computer games and the critically destroyed 1984 David Lynch film (which did have some good points), but nothing grabbed me like the original.
When they announced a new, mega budget, all star cast version for 2020 I was terrified. If it failed then that would pretty much kill of the franchise. No studio would touch it again through the pure fear of critical/fan rejection and financial loss. It would become simply untouchable.
Then COVID came, we all bunkered down with our toilet rolls, banana bread, Joe wicks and streaming services. The cinema died and with it the hopes of a mid life crisis riddled pseudo intellectual.
I write this opening simply to explain my level of Dune geekdom.
So....... 2022 (kind of), Denis Villeneuve 'Dune' is a complete triumph. It's glorious, beautifully realised, bold, inventive, stylistically perfect in pretty much every way and honestly brings the worlds of Caliban, Arrakis, giedi prime to life, straight from the page.
From its opening scene it drags you in to the world of House warfare. Harvesters burn, Fremen ambush Harkonnen soldiers as lance beams cut through the air. Its stunning.
It is 100% a 'cinema' experience and I would fully recommend ignoring the available HD screener online for your first viewing and make the effort of seeing the film as it was envisioned, on the big screen.
Cast wise, again, perfection. I absolutely loved Timothee Chalamet as Paul. Initial fragility is replaced with edge and understanding as the story unfolds and by the third act he is a voice weilding bene gesserit bad ass. People raged at his choice during production but as a wise man once said 'people voted for the nazis and listen to coldplay', you can't trust people. He is a solid choice and I look forward to watching him grow into the role more in part 2.
Rebecca Ferguson is outstanding (as always) as Jessica, Oscar Issac a very believable and determined Duke Leto, Skarsgard showing great promise (in a limited role) as the Baron Harkonnen and the rest of the ensemble cast all putting in great performances that really helped flesh out the film.
I think what got me most about this film the the overall love and attention paid to it through direction, cinematography and design. It is completely unapologetic in its approach. It doesn't bombard the audience with pointless exposition, it never dumbs down the language, terminology or themes to appeal to a casual viewer. It sets its stall early as a tribute to the original text and dares the audience to get fully invested or miss out. It rewards those who do.
It looks stunning, the choice of colours for houses and planets are perfect, you can almost feel the heat as leto and Gurney watch over their new and deadly city. The battle scenes, both grand and intimate are fantastic with nukes and lance beams just as terrifying as slow blades passing through personal shields.
It's a long film at 2 hours 40, but the pacing is perfect. It's long simply because it has to be. It has a lot to cover and it takes its time to do everything the way it should be. It never rushes and as such the exposition never feels forced, just natural and progressive.
To cut a very long rant blessedly short its an absolute triumph of a film. Perfect in pretty much every way and 100% worth a watch, especially in a cinema format.
If you ever wanted to support our struggling cinema industry during a difficult time then this is the film to do it. Get out there, get popcorn and a drink and let yourself get absorbed ...... also when the sandworms turn up they are freaking awesome.
5/5
