A Beautiful Start
SCORE: 90/100
****BEWARE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD****
REVIEW:
(IMPORTANT UPDATE: Dune: Part Two has been announced for October 2023)
Before I dig in to my review for Dune, I need to get this off my chest. I have not seen the original Dune film from David Lynch, and I have not read the book. What you are getting is an unbiased review of the film based on its own merits. Luckily, it's a pretty damn good film.
We'll start with my critiques, of which there are two. First up is a minor spoiler, but this film is intended as a first part. The title card even reads Dune: Part One. Why this concerns me is that the story is left at its midpoint, and doesn't really receive resolution. As of the time of writing (October 25th) the sequel has not been greenlit yet, so the future of the story is uncertain. This worries me, since the story was legitimately interesting and I was hooked from the first few minutes. Although, I really don't want to spoil story at all, because this film is best experienced as blind as possible. As such, I will not discuss details here. My second major critique is the dialogue, which at points felt hard to follow since it was mostly told through whispers and harsh voices. Even in an IMAX theater, it felt hard to hear sometimes, so I will have to rewatch on HBO Max with captions at home.
Other than that, I can't really complain. This film is gorgeous and exceptionally well crafted.
Starting in front of the camera, the acting is superb here. Chalamet proves he can carry a weighty, yet general audience friendly film like this. Ferguson and Isaac act with a gravitas that the royal roles they inhabit require. Josh Brolin is a caring, yet stern general, with a few similarities to Thanos. Even Jason Momoa fits into a role that was seemingly made for him, and did a decent job (yes I'm surprised too!). My only complaint would be that I wish we could have seen more of some characters, however there is a potential second part coming to expand upon them. Prime among those are Zendaya and Javier Bardem, with the former only really seen in visions and during the last twenty minutes. There's also the Harkonnen's , with Dave Bautista and Stellan Skarsgaard, who aren't seen too much either.
Also in front of the camera is the masterclass in production design, art design, and costuming that create Dune's incredible look. It's unlike any film I've ever seen, and is among the best I've seen along the likes of Lord of the Rings, Black Panther, and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. It's the film's unique look that I think will guarantee it the Oscars come this awards season. The team that Villeneuve has assembled have managed to craft something truly special here.
Behind the camera is some awesome sound design, music, and directing. Denis Villeneuve has crafted his pure vision for this story, and it truly feels that he's been allowed to execute it to his standard. The sound design for the vehicles, worms, and various other sources in the film are astounding, giving it a feel of pure sci-fi that feels grounded and real. Finally, Hans Zimmer has crafted an astounding score that truly resonates in the theater, it's truly something to marvel at. But I've saved the best for last. The visual effects. The effects are so realistic that everything either feels practical or done with miniatures. The effects companies responsible will not only become VFX powerhouses, but will also certainly get the Oscar here next year.
If this film looks or sounds even remotely interesting, please support it in theaters and view it on the biggest screen possible. It deserves its second part, and the only way to do that is from box office sales!
Conclusion: Beautiful and striking, Dune is a masterclass in its design and feel, but only slightly suffers from the fact that it's one part of two.
Score: 90/100
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