1.7 Dune

Whatever year Dune was eventually going to be released in it was sure make it into most film fan lists of most anticipated films. With this now 2021 release being first off all a Part 1 of the 2 Part story. Dune was directed by Denis Villeneuve and is a feature adaptation of the subsequent 1965 science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert. As we follow the son of a Nobel family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and vital element in the galaxy, spice. As Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) must quickly assume power and the reigns of his empire after his fathers death Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac). With it soon becoming apparent that the Emperor who first sent the Atreides away from there home planet, Caladan has betrayed and mislead them. With his initial plan along being only to send Atreides to Arrakis so he could kill Leto and destroy his empire.

Now I won't go into to much detail in terms of what seemingly occurs and happens next, for two reasons. One being not to spoil anything for those who haven't yet seen the film but also because this is only Part one of what is a Two Part project. Furthermore due to this films intricate plot and narrative its best experienced and has been designed, shot and produced for the big screen cinema and surround sound experience. Therefore it being clear that no matter how much detail I decide to go into whilst writing, it still can't and won't match experiencing this film for yourself. Instead I've decided to give a rough overview of the film in reason and instead go deeper into the subsequent stars and directors that star and make this Sci-fi adventure one of greatest films of last year and Part 2 one of the most anticipated upcoming sequels of recent time.

What instantly drew me to this film was none other than Denis Villeneuve himself, with his illustrious portfolio of work including films such as Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and one of my all time personal favorites Prisoners (Review definitely coming soon). Making him not a great but in fact a perfect director, when it comes to having the ability to handle and manage the scope of huge projects. With this films scale using and combing greatly both practical and CGI effects as he (Villeneuve) brings an astonishing visual sensibility to Frank Herbert's supposable 'unfilmable' Sci-fi classic. Opening with the words "Part One" it instantly eases the processes for viewers whilst allowing and reassuring them that it won't leave audiences behind and confused unlike the book when it comes to its narrative, large cast of characters and several sub-plots. With this being one reason in particular Dune was branded as 'Unfilmable' however splitting this huge theatrical spectacle into two parts instantly allows for more control and time to be spent crafting characters, plots and in general the whole narrative. With it originally being thought and seen as both difficult and a struggle when it came to squeezing the arc into a 2-3 hour long film due to mainly the individual length of the protagonists stories. Whilst I personally feel splitting Dune into two parts allows Villeneuve to pay more attention and hone specifically into certain details and aspects which are either important or haven't yet been shown. With the whole spectacle never being stronger, than at the end as the films closing declaration states "this is just the beginning" showing not only Villeneuve's sensibility but also I think his personal love and passion for what personally he can bring and is able to do next. With it arguable said that your left leaving the theatre more excited and anticipating Part Two as the first installment is perfectly and sensibly tackled, whilst avoiding the baffling narrative compressions and ellipses that blighted and populated Lynch's version.

Timothee Chalamet and I believe his co-star Rebecca Ferguson are particular stand outs as there thrown into a harsh and rough existence as they battle against the odds of survival and reigns of power. With these characters both having to come to terms with what they've realised, experienced and now must face. As there on screen chemistry further helps in giving us a harsh and tough insight into what there mother, son relationship has now become as Paul must now take of over the reigns and consume power of what little, of his fathers empire is left. Whilst Lady Jessica is consumed with not only losing her husband but also the realisation that she's pregnant and the prospect of raising a child without a father. As Lady Jessica is torn between her desire to protect her son and the mysterious legacy of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. With Zendaya briefly appearing towards the end and in a few subsequent dreams and visions that Paul is having. As its clear that her involvement will be more of focus and integral when it comes to helping Paul reach the Emperor as its clear and now more apparent that the House of Atreides were relocated and played when there rule of Arrakis was short lived thanks to the subsequent scheme orchestrated by the Emperor. As the film you feel is constantly set against the backdrop of battle between the House of Atreides and Harkonnen as they vie for the control of the most sort after resource in the galaxy, 'spice'. A magical dust viewed by the desert-dwelling Fremen as "the scared Hallucinogen that prolongs life" whilst its harvested by off-worlds as its both highly prized and subsequently priced key to navigating interstellar travel.

What I feel personally is that not only Villeneuve but also co-writers Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth have brilliantly crafted and achieved is a sense of controlment as well as spectacle and excitement that not only better match's the Sci-fi, Adventure genre films of the past decades (Star Wars, Star Trek, 1979 Alien etc.) But also sets a new precedent for a new, more controlled approach and what that can not only look like but achieve as there's an almost comedic element to the early scenes between Paul and Pilot Duncan Idaho. For some Villeneuve's film will give a much more calm and conservative feel throughout, as it still manages to contain and appeal to newer fans as it still connects and lends itself to a lot of common tropes that made Herbert's novel a classic and apart of the fabric of popular science fiction. Whether its the samurai-style swordplay, inner voices of Star Wars or the Matrix-like question of Paul's foretold divinity as many elements feel familiar but yet not boring or copied. With even some of the films biggest elements and spectacles from the ornithopters that flit like dragonflies to vast spaceships that glint in the mist are kind of sights that brilliantly allow us to just sit and watch in complete awe. Without you feeling the need at times for the accompanying score to help add to the moment, with the silence in the cinema at times being a better more accompanying note to such senses. Further depicting and displaying that idea of both Villeneuve's control and visual sensibility.

There are huge explosive action sequences that are often accompanied by a booming Hans Zimmer score however although these moments are impactful and a spectacle for themselves. Its the low-key moments that feel best at least due to the development of the characters and there accompany arcs in a meaningful way as audiences can see there path throughout and what lies in store. As by the end of the film were assured and knowledgeable on where there characters are heading next along with there ambitions which are clearly in there sights. Apart from its script and narrative, one hurdle Dune had to overcome was its special effects, with this being yet another reason why so often the book was branded as Unfilmable. With David Lynch's having some questionable Effects, although at the time these were considered a standard as it contained its fair share of so called 'unforgettable' sights at the time. However what Dune manages to create is a more toned down, subtle and behaved approach that is for sure unique and rememberable to the film itself. For instance the Giant sandworm that splashes through the desert like eels through water, with its menace and fret still being apparent whilst no longer seeming silly or slightly foolish unlike other iterations or adaptions. With credit going to visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert and his team. As often the visual effects in not only Dune but Villeneuve's other work such as Arrival and Blade Runner having and contain a real depth to them as the effects are often aided by the fact that the shot there in, usually has something else in it that we understand the size of whether that's a planet, human being or a building. As this not only helps to support but rather creates this feeling of scope.

However no matter what your view or opinion on the either the book, 1984 film or the most recent take on Dune is , I think Villeneuve's take is not only the most contemporary or best so far but instead the most appropriate and controlled yet. As it manages to depict the scale and scope of the project as well as the several narratives and different plot lines which characters are experiencing as well as there own personal issues and conflicts. With the action set pieces being phenomenal even though the main aim and focus always was about the characters and there conflicts and storylines. Even during scenes were ships are exploding in the background, your eyes are somewhat drawn and focused instead on Josh Brolin running. With Dunes greatest achievement I think being that even for someone who has never read the orginal Frank Herbert Novel or the seen the 1984 film by David Lynch the film is still made digestible and understandable. With the book often being branded as 'Unfilmable' you never seemingly get a sense where that might be the case or that it was ever even hard to follow. I've personally seen other films adapted from orginal novels that have for sure been tougher to watch. As they did an amazing job when it came to setting up so much backstory and information so everything was shot and devised, in such a way that made audiences able to understand. 4.5/5 Stars