Dune (2021)
Director: Dennis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothee Chamalet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgard
Primary genre: Science fiction
Secondary genre: Epic
Nominated for: Best picture, production design, costume design, adapted screenplay, original score, sound, film editing, cinematography, make up and hairstyling
Won: Original score, production design, visual effects, cinematography, film editing, sound
Resonating more with David Lean’s style of epic filmmaking (“Lawrence of Arabia“ (1962)) rather than with the modern green screen cookie cutter blockbusters, Dennis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert ‘s “Dune” is distancing itself from its previous cinematic (and pulpy) incarnation that David Lynch directed in 1984.
Villeneuve (“Prisoners” (2012), “Arrival” (2016), “Blade Runner 2049” (2017)), one of the few directors today that can deliver smart and conscious stories, might have reached his cinematic zenith - at least visually - with “Dune”. Commanding an expansive cast, a large scale production design and a densely populated plot with fascinating mythology, he taps into Frank Herbert’s material with efficient gusto and attempts to present a world where gravitas and dramatic stakes exist. While you might think that other science fiction epics have come before hand (most notably George Lucas’ “Star Wars” (1977)), it was Herbert’s novel that laid the groundwork for others in 1965.
Visually appealing and ambitious in scope, “Dune” contains perhaps some of the most impressive and grandiose production design seen in a long time. Highly detailed props, sets, vehicles and weapons (among others) feel authentic and organic in this inter-galactic world, complemented appropriately by eloquent CGI use similarly to what George Miller did in “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015). Utilizing an innovative (and sometimes cacophonous) sound design that fights against Hans Zimmer’s vivid and ginormous score to heighten the audience’s senses, “Dune” is strongly seen and heard; a vocal cinematic spectacle that dwarfs present day blockbusters with its own distinct identity, style and ideas.
Yet despite all the visual panache and large-scale effort that has been put on display, you cannot help but wonder why the proceedings feel occasionally empty. Adapting a vastly dense novel for the big screen successfully is by no means a small feat and Villeneuve and the other two screenwriters should be commended. Nevertheless, in the process of bringing the world to life, they hastily bypass key moments in the novel with strong supporting players having no more than 12 lines of dialogue; Lady Jessica in particular, a master manipulator has absolutely no scenes of importance relegated in tears in almost every sequence she finds herself while Vladimir Harkonnen, a disgusting and imposing Machiavellian antagonist is simply an one dimensional obstacle for the Atreidis’ clan whom we know is the villain because he is dressed in black.
Despite a committed cast, this is where mostly “Dune” falls flat. Characters come and go without the audience having any clue about them, their abilities or thoughts so when inevitable acts of betrayal, sacrifices and heroism occur in a “Game of Thrones” (2011-2019) style, they fail to elicit any response. Relegated as walking expositions, important individuals are disposed off within seconds while others are not seen again (e.g., Josh Brolin’s Gurney). The script is remarkably tight leaving minimum build up to its crucial moments of awe. Villeneuve bizarrely cuts back and forth between scenes that require pause for dramatic tension (e.g., the fate of Duke Atreidis, the desert Sardaukar ambush) diminishing any emotional value for the characters while populating the film with several (repetitive) visions that do not offer much in the grand scheme of things besides extending the running time.
“Dune” will not be for everyone and perhaps a three hour running time could provide further characterization to mostly flat but spectacular on screen events. Its grounded approach to epic science fiction storytelling is welcome, its visual panache unparalleled and its cast appealing enough. “Dune” though requires more soul. Until it finds it in a much move involved second part, it will not change the face of movie science fiction the way “Star Wars” (1977), “Blade Runner” (1982) or “The Matrix” (1999) did.
+Rarely seen epic scale science fiction filmmaking
+Adequate adaptation of tough material
+Exceptional production design
+Costume design
+Cast
-Unearned plot points
-Too much exposition
-One dimensional characters
-No dramatic tension