Dune
WARNER BROSEver since the arrival of a galaxy far, far away, Hollywood has been on the hunt for the next big franchise. The following decades have given way to many new and interesting worlds, but also a steady reliance on ones already explored. It only makes sense then that Hollywood would eventually find its way back to Arrakis and the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels, after David Lynch’s 1984 cult classic but financial disaster of the source material. Directed by Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, this latest iteration of Dune (subtitled part one) follows Paul Atredies (Timothée Chalamet), a young man whose royal family (Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson), House Atreides, is tasked by the emperor to become the new rulers of the desert planet Arrakis, a hostile land also home to the universes most valuable mineral, spice. Driven by constant dreams of the planet and a native girl (Zendaya), Paul learns he has a great destiny tied to the world.
Villeneuve’s filmography has continuously grown in scope since making his English language debut with 2013’s Prisoners. The production, audio, and visual designs are often the strongest aspects of Villeneuve’s films, and Dune finds him and the rest of the crew at the top of their game. Hans Zimmer’s roaring score brings an element to the film that heightens much of Greig Fraser’s stunning cinematography and Joe Walker’s hypnotic editing that doesn’t lose touch of the source materials psychedelic underpinnings. The cinematography helps heighten the films breathtaking production design by Patrice Vermette (who’s worked on several Villeneuve films) along with extraordinary costuming and seamless CGI that bring the year 10191 and the different worlds to life with such scale and detail that makes 2049 seem like a mere dress rehearsal.
The world of Dune is an incredibly dense and detailed one. Lynch’s 1984 version opens with an exposition drop detailing the universes backstory in an incredibly mundane way that ultimately only slows down the film before it even begins. Villeneuve’s version opens in a similar way, but one that quickly details and shows the central conflict and gets right to the story. The world building is mainly shown more than laid out in long scenes of exposition. It’s a decision that can make some feel alienated from understanding the films world but helps it avoid scenes that would otherwise bog down what is already a lengthy yet fascinating and immersive film – at 155 minutes. Choosing to only adapt half of the first novel, as opposed to condensing it to a 140 minute film, allows this new iteration to take its time in laying out the political and religious lore of this universe and set the stage for what could be one of Hollywoods next non comic book franchises.
The films cast is an expansive one, incorporating both up and coming actors and veterans alike. Timothée Chalamet delivers a serviceable performance as Paul, being able to sell the youthfulness of the character with enough charisma to carry the film but finding the right moments to channel more emotion, as is shown during a pivotal dream sequence towards the end. Rebecca Ferguson and Stellan Skarsgård deliver two of the films best performances as Lady Jessica and Baron Harkonnen. Ferguson delivers a sensitive performance with the character, partucluarly during her scenes with Oscar Isaac, or when she’s being intimidated by Charlotte Rampling’s superbly gothic and unnerved Reverend Mother. Skarsgård, however, delivers with sheer screen presence, set design, and costuming that’s able to leave an everlasting impression even with his limited albeit defining screen time.
Every detail and seamless stream in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One evolves into a gargantuan and immersive cinematic experience. Filled with a alluring and well-rounded cast list, one of Zimmer’s best and most exhilarating scores that breathes such life and texture to the visual density of this world, and impeccably rich production design that fuels immersion, ultimately all colluding in a feature that is a showcase of the thrills and profound ambience of the theatrical experience and defines Dune: Part One as one of the years strongest films.
