By Paul Hall
Destiny. Some people run from it, some embrace it and others just let the ride of life lead them to a place they don’t fully comprehend. It’s on that ride that self-discovery takes place, and when the journey to self-discovery includes protecting the most important resource a planet has, it can be a bit of a bumpy ride. In the new film Dune, available now, one young man’s journey will include growth, discovery and lots of spice.
Spice is the valuable commodity found on the planet Arrakis that drives the universe. Because of its extreme value, control over this commodity is of the utmost importance to keep the planet functioning. The battles between those in charge and the local tribes create tensions that lead to heavy levels of fighting.
As the new leaders are in place and begin to visit Arrakis and survey the land, young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) tries to understand a series of dreams that have placed him in this foreign environment. As the son of the Duke (Oscar Isaac) and his concubine (Rebecca Ferguson), he has been trying to develop the talents he has been endowed with, which vary from fighting skills to some higher-level mental capabilities. But can he harness all of those talents to unleash his true potential?
Dune is as visually stunning as any production to grace the screen in some time, and Director Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049) does a masterful job of using every inch of space on the screen to envelop us in the grand landscape that is Arrakis. It is in the visual attention to detail that Dune scores its biggest win. From the giant worms that inhabit the land to the tiniest mouse that shares the sand, Dune ignites every bit of a visual sense.
Both the visuals and the accompanying sound transport viewers into a world that can only be imagined. Taking the science fiction work of Frank Herbert’s novel and bringing it to the screen requires things to be big and bold, and that is on display in Villeneuve’s film.
Chalamet, Isaac, Ferguson and the rest of the cast are simple set pieces at times as the story progresses through its arc. This iteration of Dune is not without some momentary confusion and a slow pace at times. Awkward moments that leave viewers guessing both fascinate and make us look for answers, but also quizzically elicit head scratching.
A film is not solely visuals, sound or story. It’s the sum of all of these elements, and so much more, and when you add the parts together, Dune is a smashing success. Setting up a future installment while providing us with an impressive journey, this film yearns for viewers to see it on the biggest screen imaginable with the best sound one can find.
Take my recommendation and spice things up with Dune.
Paul’s Grade: B+
Dune
Rated PG-13
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin
Director: Denis Villeneuve