Dune (2021)

 

Gothdarnit Denis Villeneuve, you did it again. Once again you have proven that you totally understand science fiction and are actually a fan that manages to bring a vision to the screen that is both your own and that stays true to any source material there might be out there.

For the first, you can also check 'Arrival'. For the second 'Blade Runner 2049'. And now this one.

It is safe to say that a decent adaptation of 'Dune' has been problematic, to say the least. But he pulled it off. The man actually pulled it off. 

Applause for you, sir.

In the distant future, a substance known as spice is needed for a multitude of uses, but it especially makes space travel possible. So naturally it is a highly sought after commodity. Double because it can only be found on an inhospitable desert planet called Arrakis or Dune. For years, the Harkonnens have had the monopoly, but because the Emperor of the known universe feels a threat from house Atreides, he supplants the Harkonnens and places the Atreides on Dune, knowing full well that this will give him the means to eradicate house Atreides. 

But plans within plans hatch other schemes, and the son (Paul) is the result of an age old breeding program and might actually be the Supreme Being or Kwisatz Haderach. Coming to Arrakis and coming into contact with spice in large quantities awakens his visions and ability to see the future. But before the Atreides can get their things in order, the Harkonnens attack and ravage the family, leaving Paul and his mother Jessica for dead in the desert. But the local populace, the Fremen, might be the unpredictable factor Paul's father and now Paul have been searching for to turn the tide... 

The books are dense, yet this film manages to get the story (or at least a part of it) across in excellent fashion. There is some exposition, yes, but it is kept to a bare minimum and you can infer quite a lot from dialogue and looks of the characters. No need for overexplanation here. The cast is absolutely loaded with great actors and they all bring their best to their parts. 

Not only that, but the sound design and music are otherworldly and fit the tone and mood like a glove. And then we haven't even started on the production design, which is top notch. It feels as though the pages of the book have come to life and this tells that Villeneuve absolutely knows the novels through and through and painstakingly tried to recreate everything that made the books so wondrous. 

Oh, and literally every shot looks like a painting, artistry at its best. 

Honestly, this film can't get enough praise, it really is thàt good. Fans of the book will love it, non-fans should see it. 

And then read the books.