Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Dune: Part One

6

flash246Oct 22, 2021

A beautiful, but underwhelming movie. The pacing just felt off. Some scenes seemed rushed, while others felt too long. Character development was lacking as the main focus was on Paul. This made it hard to connect with really any otherA beautiful, but underwhelming movie. The pacing just felt off. Some scenes seemed rushed, while others felt too long. Character development was lacking as the main focus was on Paul. This made it hard to connect with really any other character. The ending was…very disappointing and anticlimactic. Everyone knows this was a setup for part 2, but until that movie comes out, it is not fair to score this any higher than a 6/10.… Expand

25 of 44 users found this helpful2519

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10

kirani100Oct 22, 2021

Unbelievable. Just when I said "here it comes, I'm so, sooo ready for the next two hours of-" and it ended. I was awestruck. I sat through two hours of (essentially) the best exposition ever, plus a cataclysm. It was like watching the firstUnbelievable. Just when I said "here it comes, I'm so, sooo ready for the next two hours of-" and it ended. I was awestruck. I sat through two hours of (essentially) the best exposition ever, plus a cataclysm. It was like watching the first two and a half steps of an epic: Exposition. Inciting Incident. Rising Action. Then having to stand up and stretch my legs for an intermission. It's going to be a long and painful intermission because I was ALREADY PREPARED to sit through another two to three hours of this film, and now I will have to bide my time. It will be worth it. If this movie was good (and it was GOOD), then the next is going to blow our minds. Stunning visuals, and so faithful to the FEELING of the book that I even experienced something I NEVER thought I would experience again: The initial "oh, that's kind of silly and far-fetched" to the "I'm religiously invested in this world and its rules. Bless the Maker and His water...". No one can ever deny that Denis Villeneuve is a true-and-true fan of the novel. He was able to recreate even the most intimate nuances that all of us experienced differently when reading the book. Such an experience. See it in theatres, even if you don't end up loving or liking the film, you won't regret it.… Expand

52 of 94 users found this helpful5242

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6

cainezenOct 22, 2021

I'm as conflicted on this film as the Harkonnen and Atreides are with each other. While I understand the Director is trying to initiate world building and plan for a multiple-film franchise, the golden rule is that each film has to stand onI'm as conflicted on this film as the Harkonnen and Atreides are with each other. While I understand the Director is trying to initiate world building and plan for a multiple-film franchise, the golden rule is that each film has to stand on it's own. The pace of the film could have been a bit faster in some parts and a bit slower in others. For instance, we get a lot of time with Paul in that tent but the entire setup of the Atreides and the Spice Production was over in about 15 minutes. A few scenes cut to show the passage of some time and Leto getting reports of sabotage, broken equipment, and so forth could have been done in a way that covered that time more appropriately so it didn't feel rushed. A few cuts of Paul interacting with locals a bit more to establish this believe in Mahdi. Otherwise the first and second act feel a bit laborious and honestly leave the finale in the third act feeling rushed and instead leaving me with a fizzle. The fight at the end with the Fremen warrior was slow, and without tension whatsoever. In today's film landscape with high impact action films, if you're going to have a knife fight, it needs to be at or better than the best fight sequence out there, particularly for a budget of 165 million. Buatista and Zendaya's talents were wasted only serving as minor build-up to the next film. There were ways to include them to show the importance of both characters. So while I love the visuals and the modern digital impact on the cinematography, the story telling and character development (the best part of the Dune books) is still lacking somewhat. I mean Paul and his mother got quality time, but Leto felt empty and with a talent like Oscar Isaacs, that has to be a Direction issue. Overall I say a bit above mediocre. I'm hoping the next film is better, if it gets greenlit. This series will likely be evaluated as a whole rather than individual parts because thus far, the start is not what I'd hoped as an avid Dune fan.… Expand

27 of 51 users found this helpful2724

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5

Miles_LongOct 25, 2021

Art driven, cinematic, boring. I did not read the book. From that perspective I was not enthralled with the story beats. I didn't feel the tension, build up, or payoff. This movie was more of a waltz than a techno song with a big bass drop. IArt driven, cinematic, boring. I did not read the book. From that perspective I was not enthralled with the story beats. I didn't feel the tension, build up, or payoff. This movie was more of a waltz than a techno song with a big bass drop. I wanted more. I loved Blade Runner 2049 and this did have characters as compelling. By the end I was uninterested. Still, it was pretty. Worth a watch for the artistry.… Expand

17 of 33 users found this helpful1716

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6

doozer667Oct 22, 2021

Despite great cinematography it is far from perfect. Pacing is flawed, acting feels mostly by the numbers, the truly emotionally evoking moments are few and far between because you often feel almost too distanced from the character(s) inDespite great cinematography it is far from perfect. Pacing is flawed, acting feels mostly by the numbers, the truly emotionally evoking moments are few and far between because you often feel almost too distanced from the character(s) in question to empathize with them or you haven't been given the time to soak in what they feel before the movie is forced to move to the next step in the plot. The pacing somehow feels both rushed when it comes to getting from one plot point to the next and yet feels too slow when it comes to the establishment of characters' relationships with each other or giving them the time to express important inner monologues. For many characters it was very hard to care about them without having previously read the books.… Expand

17 of 33 users found this helpful1716

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10

SeinsuhOct 22, 2021

Denis Villeneuve's masterpiece is finally here and I'm very proud to say that this is in fact a masterpiece. Let me just tell you about some of the amazing things about this movie; first of all the sound is great, you need to watch this in aDenis Villeneuve's masterpiece is finally here and I'm very proud to say that this is in fact a masterpiece. Let me just tell you about some of the amazing things about this movie; first of all the sound is great, you need to watch this in a movie theater. The acting was great, I didn't see a single bad performance. Not only is this a beautiful movie with stunning cinematography, I actually think this is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN (I'm not even exaggerating). These are just some of the many great things about the movie. Also one of my big complaints about the old David Lynch version of Dune was that it didn’t actually take the time to explain the important things, and didn't make us see this beautiful world that I knew Dune had. Well this new version of Dune does everything right that 1984 version did wrong.… Expand

19 of 37 users found this helpful1918

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5

euuOct 23, 2021

Decent movie, but nothing special. It mostly stands on the strengh of its source material and Villeneuve's ability to not destroy it. But even so, it's a very long movie for the story it tries to tell and the pacing is quite a mess. Now, IDecent movie, but nothing special. It mostly stands on the strengh of its source material and Villeneuve's ability to not destroy it. But even so, it's a very long movie for the story it tries to tell and the pacing is quite a mess. Now, I haven't read the books but I did watch both the Lynch movie and the 2000 miniseries, so I am a bit familiar with the setting and story. And thank God for that, because otherwise I couldn't understand some of the politics of this world. This movie is 2 and a half hours long but going blind into it, you will know less about this universe then you would after watching the first 90 minutes episode of the miniseries, even though they cover mostly the same part of the story. Where is the Emperor? Where is the Navigator Guild? Sure, they are mentioned, but only pasingly and you can tell they are following the Farce Awakens formula of sequel bait questions. Instead of worldbuilding, we get pretentious visions of Zendaya in the desert. We get it, Paul has premonitions, no need for 5 long dream sequences to get that accross. On the acting side, it's quite solid, no surprise given the amount of talent involved. But the problem is the main lead, the entire movie depends on him and he doesn't do that great of a job. Part of the problem is the writting, as we don't get what character Paul really is. Sure, they show him as being naive, but mostly he comes off as edgy or emo and his big character moment at the end, where he has to take a man's life, just comes out of nowhere.

Now, visualy is probably where the movie is the strongest. The exterior shots look fantastic and Villeneuve really makes this seem like a distant planet. I can't say the same about the interiors, but it's mostly personal prefernce, as I think the set design in a movie about space aristocrats should look a bit more extravagant instead of the large empty rooms we keep seeing. Same goes for the costumes. Nothing too bad but they look more like something in a generic scifi video game.

Lastly, I would have probably give this a higher score if it wasn't for the horrible shoundtrack. Zimmer's score is an assault on your eardrums. And it doesn't matter if it's an action scene or a dramatic scene, his idea of music is to have a woman yelling very loudly in the background. And I don't know if it was just the theatre I watched this, but the sound is very loud.

All in all, Dunc is not a bad movie, just a bit of a dissapointment, as they really had a budget this time and could have been something special.… Expand

18 of 38 users found this helpful1820

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5

ThoughtfulScoreOct 24, 2021

Dune was a boring, unsatisfying experience. The characters just aren't likeable & while there is too little backstory, there also somehow manages to be too much uninteresting lore building and exposition, thanks to terrible pacing. It doesDune was a boring, unsatisfying experience. The characters just aren't likeable & while there is too little backstory, there also somehow manages to be too much uninteresting lore building and exposition, thanks to terrible pacing. It does nothing to hook you for the first hour, and the film never seems to properly establish the stakes. A giant worm eats a whole loader full of valuable space drugs/fuel, but who cares? Who does that effect? Why is everyone sword fighting when we have lasers and space ships? Are there actually any "good guys", or is everyone an a--hole?

The cast features many great actors, like Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, etc., but the film has so many disparate, esoteric elements it has to force in that none of these performers gets the screen time they deserve. There are no amazing moments like the disco dancing and tense dialog of Oscar Isaac from Ex Machina. Josh Brolin & Javier Bardem don't provide the intimate, deep, dark performances of No Country for Old Men. Dune is the opposite of those types of films: cold, distant & inhuman. It's technically sound, but it's got no heart, and no theme. It's empty.… Expand

16 of 35 users found this helpful1619

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5

Donttalk2Oct 22, 2021

This is less an adaptation of the book but of the David Lynch - Film from 1984. It contains the same setting-before-people - approach, the same kinky design for the Bene Gesserit, the same key scenes, the same foreshadowing in Paul`s dreams,This is less an adaptation of the book but of the David Lynch - Film from 1984. It contains the same setting-before-people - approach, the same kinky design for the Bene Gesserit, the same key scenes, the same foreshadowing in Paul`s dreams, the same fixation on sandworms etc.. But while Lynch made a Horror film out of Dune, adding gruesome and disturbing details, Villeneuve made a War Movie. All these intrigues and backstories just lead to some chaotic bloodbaths and annoying dialogues that sound as deep as in Conan The Barbarian. There are truly beautiful scenes, there is an unbelievable cast, everything is much more clearer than in Lynch`s film (doesn`t say much). The film really is an intense experience. But it is slow and joyless, it doesn`t do justice to Herbert`s utterly strange book, and Zimmer`s ethno-pomp makes my ears ring. A disappointment, especially after BLADE RUNNER 2049.… Expand

18 of 41 users found this helpful1823

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3

wesseldjOct 22, 2021

There is a whole lot going on in this movie and I know its a build up to the second installment, but however with all the grandeur that is happening, it doesn't avoid the undeniable fact that it is unfortunately lacking a bit of soul. WhileThere is a whole lot going on in this movie and I know its a build up to the second installment, but however with all the grandeur that is happening, it doesn't avoid the undeniable fact that it is unfortunately lacking a bit of soul. While it tries hard to do so, but the characters arent fleshed out enough for you to even care about them and certain editing decisions are a bit odd which hurts the flow and logic of the movie. Scenes that appears totally random or rushed and adding nothing to the story. Again the personalities aren't fleshed out which makes the viewer have no empathy for whats going on. The whole watch was like a hallucenetic bad trip, maybe it was intended to be that way, in that regard it is a succes lol… Expand

25 of 57 users found this helpful2532

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3

Zisis151Oct 29, 2021

Soulless movie with a bunch of characters, most of which you won't give a **** about because they barely get 2 lines worth of dialogue. There's no build up, no cohesion to the plot and not enough context. "Here's house A, here's house B andSoulless movie with a bunch of characters, most of which you won't give a **** about because they barely get 2 lines worth of dialogue. There's no build up, no cohesion to the plot and not enough context. "Here's house A, here's house B and here's the bad guys" and then the fighting starts. The music was also generic and the fact that it was playing randomly at times when the main character would just casually look at the desert made it pretentious and cringe. What could anyone actually see in this film? Is it the couple lines that refer to political debates? Does that validate people's pseudo-intellectual bias in some way, I wonder. Because there's really nothing else this movie does. Either that or people's standards are so low they get hyped up by marketing and some cool CGI visuals. Pathetic… Expand

16 of 37 users found this helpful1621

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4

deckOct 23, 2021

I never read the books and wasn't a big fan of the David L. version. The "remake". has great sound and pictures. but villeneuve is even less successful than lynch in portraying both the universe and Paul Atreides. the disappointment of the year.

17 of 40 users found this helpful1723

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3

ShadowofZexaOct 24, 2021

While the visuals look amazing in this movie the pacing is a huge issue. They had nearly 3 hours to set up the world and show more of certain characters. It's Honestly a slow drag, I wouldn't recommend watching it on it's own it just feelsWhile the visuals look amazing in this movie the pacing is a huge issue. They had nearly 3 hours to set up the world and show more of certain characters. It's Honestly a slow drag, I wouldn't recommend watching it on it's own it just feels very unfinished and left off on a cliffhanger. I would wait until the sequel is out and watch them back to back.… Expand

16 of 38 users found this helpful1622

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3

ZuultaanOct 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The visuals are stunning, props for that. Sound is great. Unfortunate casting decisions bring the film down and make it basically unwatchable for me. Liet Kynes being female destroys the patriarchal society of the fremen which relegates females to mystic leaders. Making Liet female really destroys what Herbert was trying to get across, that fremen are related to modern day muslims and the oil/spice relationship. That is just one of the many poor casting decision that in my opinion, as a great fan of the previous dune movies and books, makes it basically unwatchable. The director caved too much to SJW fantasies. It interferes with the message and in this case its diametrically opposed to the book. Keynes dies in a volatile pre spice mass abandoned to the desert not stabbed in the back, not how he goes in the movie (male because its critical to the fremen). Volatile pre spice mass because its essential to the story. He dies alone because he is a desert creature. This treatment alone of Keynes makes the movie unwatchable to me.
Zendaya cant act, terrible choice for chani.
If you are a true fan of the books you are definitely not going to like this.… Expand

23 of 55 users found this helpful2332

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4

KlebartOct 23, 2021

It's not as visually stunning as many have been saying. Others have said that it was long in some parts and sometimes the acting could have been better. I knew this going in and it still felt a little lacking. I'm not sure this is anIt's not as visually stunning as many have been saying. Others have said that it was long in some parts and sometimes the acting could have been better. I knew this going in and it still felt a little lacking. I'm not sure this is an improvement over the original movie although it's a little less annoying in parts than the original. Overall, this is not really a movie that anyone must see.… Expand

15 of 36 users found this helpful1521

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3

caadnOct 23, 2021

Herbert's original novels have been a passion of mine since an early age. Through multiple re-readings, they have held up due to the depth and complexity of their mix of compelling characters, philosophical concepts, mysticism and politicalHerbert's original novels have been a passion of mine since an early age. Through multiple re-readings, they have held up due to the depth and complexity of their mix of compelling characters, philosophical concepts, mysticism and political intrigue which work to paint a universe of immense scope. Sadly, Villeneuve's reductionist vision comes as a crushing disappointment in light of the richness of the source material.

Understandable, and even necessary, was the urge to streamline the storyline in order to make the dense original narrative comprehensible to unfamiliar audiences. This is even more the case given how much Lynch's attempt (and to a lesser degree Harrison's) struggled under its weight. However, in his quest for accessibility, Villeneuve and his screen writers cut too deep and gutted the narrative of SO much material that what makes the Dune universe truly compelling and unique is lost. The pendulum swinging so far in the opposite direction from the earlier film and mini series leave us with nothing more than just another forgettable, generic action sci-fi epic. While the universe is beautifully rendered and a visual treat to behold, very little beyond the visuals exists to recommend the film. Key elements of the social, political, ecological or anti-colonialist plots are carved out or downplayed to the point of forgettability and cliché. Key lines that could have quickly and easily added context and depth are omitted from the dialog. What remains is often underwhelming and delivered in a manner that misses accentuation of important points or conveyance of convincing and compelling emotion. This so effects characterization that the fate of the characters becomes at best an intellectual concern. Odd timing choices also exist where information that would have provided insight into the universe, character motivation and lend narrative tension are often provided either after the scenes in which they would have been most useful or so early in the film that by the time they're relevant they've been lost amongst the clutter of prior scenes and the slow drag the lack or real content turns the film into. The sheer missed opportunity Villeneuve's film represents is made even more shocking and tragic given the decision to cut the original novel into two films. With a 155-minute runtime to tell just half of the story, you would expect a significantly deeper and more nuanced tale, not one floating so much closer to the surface.

While I feel Villeneuve's approach to Dune was attempted with much more artistry and reverence for the source material, it nonetheless reminds me of Verhoeven's treatment of Heinlein's Starship Troopers, another conceptually rich novel that did not deserve the cinematic abuse it received. Villeneuve, with what feels like some more or less simple changes regarding direction and the screenplay, could have delivered to us not just a visually stunning film containing the action he was clearly aiming for, but also one that preserved Dune's more cerebral nature that has made the novels so engrossing for so many.

As has been the case for Villeneuve's directorial predecessors, the challenge of Dune has proven to be too much. Hopefully, we won't need to wait another 25 years for someone with greater vision to make an attempt to deliver the adaptation both Herbert's novels, and we as an audience, deserve.… Expand

16 of 39 users found this helpful1623

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2

ThazariOct 22, 2021

Dune is spectacular at the visual and auditory level, but highly unpleasant to watch due to rapid scene switching and highly forgettable due to lack of depth.

The entire movie seems to be repeating a cycle of introducing a big new localeDune is spectacular at the visual and auditory level, but highly unpleasant to watch due to rapid scene switching and highly forgettable due to lack of depth.

The entire movie seems to be repeating a cycle of introducing a big new locale with bombastic music followed by a shallow exchange of a few oneliners or a brief action scene that has no flow or cohesion with the rest of the scenes, making the movie feel more like one long spectacular trailer than anything that tries to convey an actual story. Overall, it felt pretty similar to Jupiter Ascending, Valerian or any recent superhero movie: Spectacular visuals, but devoid of cohesion. Dune however lacks the cringy dialogue that the aforementioned movies had, cutting the dialogue to a bare minimum instead, which makes it even more difficult to understand the setting and maintain cohesion. Unfortunately, Duncan and Stilgar try their best to up the cringe factor here and there with their silly, out of place oneliners.

The moments where the movie does take a bit more time to resolve an important scene, the scenes are not done well, which prevents the viewer from feeling any emotional attachment: This is most clearly seen in the poorly executed scenes of Paul's test, the long but shallow dialogue between Paul and the Duke Leto, the scene between the Duke Leto and the Baron Harkonnen, and the flashy but highly disorientating combat scenes that just feel like an anticlimax more than anything the movie had spent considerable time building up towards. In general, the movie lingers long on scenes that lack any meaning but look pretty, and skips over the key scenes and interactions that are supposed to carry the story. I do not mind the fact that the movie does not always closely follows the book, as that is understandable for an adaptation, but I do mind that the movie does not utilize the opportunities of the movie medium for any kind of story telling or exposition besides the epic visuals/audio - this does not necessarily have to be through spoken dialogue, but narrative exposition can also be done in a visual way, which the movie does not do either.

The characters feel paper-thin and barely display any personal characteristics, making them flat, unlikable and unrelatable. There is nothing explaining the motivations or backgrounds of Piter, Yueh, Rabban or the Baron Harkonnen. The Harkonnen are evil because they have ghoulish faces and speak the few lines they are graced with a voice that does befit a Marvel villain, and that's pretty much all there is to it.

It is odd to see movie based on DUNE, arguably one of the more complex and intellectual science fiction IPs reduced to a movie that does not have a single memorable line of dialogue, compelling scene, or meaningful interaction between its characters.

The movie trickled along and fizzled out, and at the end I was left wondering what I had actually seen, as I remembered nothing of the story or felt anything for any of the characters. It was just a long sequence of brief impressive visuals that bear little to no relation to each other. The movie left me feeling empty, like I had watched a generic Marvel movie with no plotline, no background, no character development, hyperactive pacing, shallow/silly interactions, all covered up by epic bombastic visuals.… Expand

27 of 66 users found this helpful2739

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1

KhenaryOct 24, 2021

boring, unrhythmic and boring movie. Endless story.They seem to have forgotten that a movie has to work on its own and not depend on a sequel.

20 of 50 users found this helpful2030

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3

redmotor4Oct 24, 2021

Where to start. Feels like one long commercial for the book. The acting (these days) is wooden, over the top and boring. Cast choices are odd including putting Momoa in there. Acts like he just walked in from the surf on a California beach.Where to start. Feels like one long commercial for the book. The acting (these days) is wooden, over the top and boring. Cast choices are odd including putting Momoa in there. Acts like he just walked in from the surf on a California beach. The music isn't great compared to David Lynch's movie score. Some of the concept designs are great but some just look silly (the dragonfly ships). I also fail to see how it's better than David Lynch's movie. That movie had good acting, suspense and above all it was filmed with 35mm film. That is what a movie is. The CGI while great in some spots looks cheap in other parts of the movie. Worth a rental but real fans of the book should dismiss it. This is just another example of a modern movie making mess. The film industry has no where to go and they've let political correctness and too much technology take over.… Expand

19 of 49 users found this helpful1930

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0

SIPPIOOct 23, 2021

As a dedicated Dune fan i will tell you this does NOT
out perform the original and esp not the SciFy channels
mini series of Dune.. ~The main problem is zendaya.. Her acting was just non existant. It was all posture and posing. Every sceneAs a dedicated Dune fan i will tell you this does NOT
out perform the original and esp not the SciFy channels
mini series of Dune..
~The main problem is zendaya..
Her acting was just non existant. It was all posture and posing. Every scene she is walking funny or in these weird poses.. They musta showed Paul dream visions of her 7 times.
~They never even showed Fade once.
His brother Rabban brought nothing to the character besides just standing there menace.
*Jessica and the rev mother were very good & so was the father and Gurni & Duncan.
This Dune ends way short of even the 1st half.
I was left annoyed..… Expand

16 of 51 users found this helpful1635

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6

DukeJonJun 30, 2022

I'm a big fan of the books but this film left me cold. Too long and ponderous, too many flashback scenes, only half the book is covered. Half the time it feels rushed and the rest of the time it feels too slow. It feels like the Atreides areI'm a big fan of the books but this film left me cold. Too long and ponderous, too many flashback scenes, only half the book is covered. Half the time it feels rushed and the rest of the time it feels too slow. It feels like the Atreides are only in Arrakeen half an hour before the attack. We don't get to see anything of the emperor, third stage guild navigators, folding space, etc. We see little of the Baron and nothing of the emperor or Feyd Rautha. Wellington Yeuh and Thufir Hawat are barely in it, despite being important characters in the book. Instead we get endless premonitions of Chani and vistas of the desert. Jason Mamoa is great as Duncan Idaho, but all the other characters seem mis-cast, particularly Timothy Chalamet who is too wimpy to play a future ruler who will set the universe on fire with his war of Jihad. He is dour and sulky throughout, as though he's just been told to tidy up his bedroom. Much like Blade runner 2049, also directed by Denis Villeneuve, the sets and scale are great but the protagonist spends most of his time gazing into the middle distance, pondering his "destiny". Much prefer Lynch's 1984 version of Dune - far weirder with more memorable performances overall. Not only that, we got the whole book as well.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

Mauro_LanariJan 6, 2022

(Mauro Lanari)
"Mirrors and copulation are abominable, since they both multiply the numbers of men" (Borges, 1940). Paraphrasing, I would say that the sagas and, more generally, the epic and the foundation myths as hypertrophic narrative that(Mauro Lanari)
"Mirrors and copulation are abominable, since they both multiply the numbers of men" (Borges, 1940). Paraphrasing, I would say that the sagas and, more generally, the epic and the foundation myths as hypertrophic narrative that purports to minimize the gap between the map and the territory of existence, reduplicate its abomination, therefore they are invariably, inexorably, inderogably dystopian. I have not yet managed to grasp the usefulness of this compulsion to repeat, for sure it is one of my innumerable limitations. Herbert's text re-proposes the problem and Jodorowsky, Lynch, Villeneuve were unable to solve it: could they have? The sufficiency goes to the explicit tragicity of the beginning, with the annihilation of the House of Atreides. In a few minutes we see their noble ideals, intentions, projects fade, and the scene in which Oscar Isaac, the Duke Leto, is stripped of all this, is literally laid bare and, in agony, even fails to kill his own enemy, is something that I will carry with me and inside me for a long time. Concubine, son and fate of the survivors left me indifferent.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

Peter2000Nov 12, 2021

I'm currently reading Frank Herbert's novel but this film adaptation of Dune is pretty amazing; its visual effects are terrific; the music composed by Hans Zimmer is mind-blowing in every film sequence; the actors do a marvelous jobI'm currently reading Frank Herbert's novel but this film adaptation of Dune is pretty amazing; its visual effects are terrific; the music composed by Hans Zimmer is mind-blowing in every film sequence; the actors do a marvelous job portraying its characters, Denis Villevenue did a unique job adapting the novel.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

VadertimeOct 25, 2021

I know the critics loved it, but for me it was okay. I was in my mid-20s when I saw the David Lynch version in the theaters. I was a teenager when I read the book. Despite it's flaws and shortcomings, I liked the 1984 version. This one is aI know the critics loved it, but for me it was okay. I was in my mid-20s when I saw the David Lynch version in the theaters. I was a teenager when I read the book. Despite it's flaws and shortcomings, I liked the 1984 version. This one is a little bit bombastic with the blaring music and overwhelming sets. I think the story and the characters get lost in the greater scope of the world-building. I was expecting to be wowed, but instead I was mildly satisfied.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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7

HingleMcCringleOct 24, 2021

Most of the weight and tension from character interactions in the book were lost in the film with Yueh received the worst of it, many of the action portions felt dragged on while too many of the actor driven moments felt rushed, and the spotMost of the weight and tension from character interactions in the book were lost in the film with Yueh received the worst of it, many of the action portions felt dragged on while too many of the actor driven moments felt rushed, and the spot they chose to end it on felt unsatisfactory to me. By it's nature it's an incomplete story but it really feels like there's something missing to make a satisfying standalone experience.
That being said, it's another gorgeous film by Villeneuve. The cinematography and locations are great, the art direction & costume designs are top notch, and the soundtrack is one of Hans Zimmer's best works. It's probably the closest someone can get to a faithful adaptation of the first chunk of the book without being 4 hours long, which I would definitely watch multiple times.… Expand

7 of 9 users found this helpful72

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8

MystichydraNov 3, 2021

Despite 8, the lingering feeling I have after seeing Dune is one of disappointment. First the good - There's basically 2 ways to approach a film with source material such as this. Either make it "fun-size", and palatable with people whoDespite 8, the lingering feeling I have after seeing Dune is one of disappointment. First the good - There's basically 2 ways to approach a film with source material such as this. Either make it "fun-size", and palatable with people who purely want escapism (i.e the mass public), or try and evoke the nuance and political complexity interwoven throughout Herbert's novel. I'm frankly really glad they went the latter avenue, and overall I think the info overload actually pays off well. The acting, special effects, cinematography, aesthetic, costumes, and overall feel was stellar. It felt epic without being pretentious, and I would imagine seeing it on the big screen (yes, I'm one of the toadies who streamed it) would only add to the awe. However, much of the dialogue and the pacing were rather bland. A lot of pure exposition. As I said, all the actors did a really good job (with the possible exception of Javier Bardem, who's accent was jarringly distracting to me. Why does he sound so drastically different to the rest of the Fremen? I half-expected him to say "fine, we'll settle it with my lucky quarter" at any moment) but with an oft one-dimensional script, there's only so much that can be done.

And lastly, my real chagrin. The pacing. I don't know if the original novel frankly has enough sourced material to warrant two long movies. This movie is 2 1/2 hours. They could so easily trim 30 minutes. A major pet-peeve of mine in any movie is when they have a bunch of slowed-down walking scenes, void of any dialogue. There's a TON of said shots riddled throughout the film, that only makes the rather slowed-pace only feel uncomfortably more so. And they could have been clearer. Hard to tell who's who and even what faction is what sometimes.

I did enjoy it. I'm super excited for part 2. I don't however, recommend it to people who are on the fence about seeing it, or aren't a sci-fi/Dune fan. I just wish that when thinking about it a day later, I wasn't focused on questionable approaches or confoundment with certain elements. The Worms are worth the price of admission.… Expand

6 of 9 users found this helpful63

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6

SleazebaganoNov 4, 2021

How does it compare to Lynch's Dune? Each of these two adaptations succeeds in the areas where the other failed, and vice versa. In a same way, one is telling aspects of the story that the other left in a corner.

Let's start with the music.How does it compare to Lynch's Dune? Each of these two adaptations succeeds in the areas where the other failed, and vice versa. In a same way, one is telling aspects of the story that the other left in a corner.

Let's start with the music. The soundtrack by Zimmer was rather generic, and while it would perhaps please the yuppie yoga crowds, we're here in a totally different world, soundscape-wise, to the psychedelic, New Age soundtrack that made Lynch's Dune so great. The latter soundtrack was a standalone music gem in itself, adding stellar quality to a rather flawed movie.

The striking, dramatic visual poetry (I'm thinking of the repeating image of the hand opening while hearing about the "sleeper awakening") also isn't there much. A lot of witchy murmurs and visions Paul is having are there, but here they clearly lack originality as this stuff is taken directly from Lord of the Rings. A lot in this movie in fact makes it sound like it's trying to be a Lord of the Rings... something that is plaguing many modern blockbusters. While Villeneuve is a decent filmmaker with a vision, this is a Canadian director working with a Hollywood studio, not a Peter Jackson working with WETA studios outside of Hollywood's (and Harvey Weinstein's) grasp, with a plethora of original ideas, home-grown artists and visual magic-makers.

So production quality consideration first... this is an overall beautifully made film that doen't refrain from grandiose scope, yet it is rather sobre and extensive. It definitely isn't near the baroque insanity of Lynch's film that is, along with the soundtrack and photography, one of the greater sides of the movie.

Spaceships, buildings are huge, yet not the dope byzantine visual awe that only directors like Lynch, Jeunet or Wes Anderson would create. I didn't get especially awed with the Guild's Ship that is basically just a flattened giant concrete donut in space... All this grey stuff flying around -some looking like house appliances from posh ultramodern kitchens- ain't very appealing or surprising. So while Lynch had to struggle with many technical limitations, which made his more sci-fi stuff look silly, the gothic/art deco design behind it all was still vastly better inspired than what we got here.

On the other hand, it has the narrative maturity that Lynch's take didn't really have (you can't make me forget that ridiculous intro with De Laurentis' daughter). The movie is well-structured and methodical, being careful about the details that matter... but only up until the third act which becomes very confusing and bloated. A bunch of narrative developments happening in the end makes it feel like there's two or three open endings.

There's also in this third act a moment of a few seconds where Lady Jessica is having a clearly apparent desire for her son Paul, not long after Duke Leto's death. Okay... an Oedipal spin can be interesting to bring into such a space mythology, yet we're left asking: how was it needed? Why such a strange detail, or does the director really knows where he's going with this? As others said Jessica's character seems more involved with her son than her husband, so I don't see where this fits with the book, that contains no apparent incest subtext like this, where Jessica's struggle is more about dealing with the discipline of the Bene Gesserit cult and standing for her husband and her son.

I liked the idea of having Chani introduced as reluctant towards Paul, after being hinted as completely otherwise in Paul's dreams, as this sets a more interesting evolution between the two characters. I was positively surprised also by this singer Zhendaya as she did deliver a solid performance for a starter. Same for Javier Barbem powerful, raw, feral composition that makes him feel like taken straight out of Lawrence of Arabia.

It is possible that the combination of the two parts (or three?) will render this film greater than it is now. A lot still has to happen, and this one feels like more of an introduction to a universe. It succeeded at NOT making Lynch's film look badder than it was. It even made me want to watch it again.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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8

Banjo_ReviewieNov 15, 2021

I have never read the book, but dune somehow kept me engaged from start to finish.

The cgi is gorgeous, and the story is interesting all be it a bit vague. The main flaw is the characters who were not memorable whatsoever, and I couldn'tI have never read the book, but dune somehow kept me engaged from start to finish.

The cgi is gorgeous, and the story is interesting all be it a bit vague.

The main flaw is the characters who were not memorable whatsoever, and I couldn't tell you their names if I tried.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

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10

YsegrimSep 6, 2022

For once an intelligent film that is consistent in itself and has no huge logic gaps (I'm looking at you Disney Star Wars). The actors do a good job and the music is just **** good.