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Since its inception in 1965, Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel “Dune” has been considered “unfilmable” because the story’s dense plot and high-concept visuals couldn’t fit into the constraints of a film. Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky tried adapting the book in the 1970s but couldn’t find the pieces to do so. Legendary filmmaker David Lynch tried in 1984 — his version, however, was a colossal failure, as its incomprehensible screenplay and downright ugly visuals only enhanced the notion that this story can’t leave the page.

Over 30 years after the 1984 film, with sci-fi becoming more prevalent in the mainstream as film technology reaches new heights, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve became the next director to attempt the impossible.

With strong visuals and a star-studded cast, the film shines. Villeneuve is able to create his own universe with minimal use of CGI, which allows the film to feel grounded and realistic while still featuring a slug-like man and 400-foot worms.

Dune attracts the viewer from start to finish with its visuals. Villeneuve is no rookie when it comes to working on a giant scale. His previous two films “Arrival” and “Blade Runner 2049” are examples of how the filmmaker manipulates both scale and sound to create a truly pleasurable experience from the seat of your theater chair.

Villeneuve’s visuals take a step up, even from his two previous films, in “Dune” as he treats his film like an artist with a portrait, narrowing in on his canvas with clear attention to detail. Every fighter pilot is meticulously crafted. Each setting varies with distinct design and feel, which allows the viewer to be pulled into its orbit. You can tell that this is a story that he has fantasized about since he initially read the book as a 13-year-old.

Just like the novel, the movie is set thousands of years into the future, centering on Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), who is the son of the Duke of Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and his consort Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). The House of Atreides is granted control of Arrakis, a desert planet home to monstrous sandworms, a desert-nomadic tribe called the Fremen with distinct blue irises, and the most valuable substance in the universe, called “Spice.”

When they arrive at Arrakis, they face enemies who also wish to control the planet in which adventure, betrayal and devastation ensue. While all of this occurs, Paul is having intense visions that revolve around a mysterious woman (Zendaya), which leads Paul to realize his journey may involve something greater, something that could affect his world’s standing within the galaxy.

Like many of Villeneuve’s films, Dune is beautifully shot. The cinematography is meticulous and stunning. It enhances the visuals of Arrakis and helps immerse the viewer into the world. From top to bottom, the well-renowned cast brings out the best in each of the characters, although at times it feels like a waste given the film’s clear focus is the visuals and less about human emotion and character development.

For most of the film’s opening third, Dune uses heavy amounts of exposition to help guide the viewer along, explaining the functions of the stillsuit to withstand the heat of Arrakis and the importance of “Spice” in their society. But, unlike many modern-day sci-fi films, Dune isn’t afraid to trust the viewer’s intellect, as instead of oversimplifying its most high concept storylines, the film leans into the weirdness of the story.

This works to its advantage, as even if viewers may be confused for a second or two, Villeneuve can clarify any confusion with visuals to help push the narrative along. You don’t have to be an avid science-fiction watcher or have preexisting knowledge of the story to understand what is going on.

At times, however, Hans Zimmer’s score overshadowed some of the human emotions in the film — specifically during the first major battle scene, in which the score just appears following the surprising deaths of hundreds of soldiers.

The film hinges on the relationship between Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, and both actors execute their roles vividly. Chalamet’s performance as Paul Atreides is impressive. He lets the viewer in on the burden of being so young while carrying so much responsibility. Ferguson’s Lady Jessica effortlessly balances her maternal anxieties and stoic toughness to a tee.

Zendaya stood out in her performance as Chani, although she isn’t featured much in the film, spending much of the movie within Paul’s visions that are reminiscent of a Christian Dior perfume ad. But her performance keeps the viewer’s eyes drawn to her each time she appears on screen.

While Dune is also available on HBO Max, much to Villeneuve’s chagrin, this is a movie that you need to watch in theaters, preferably in IMAX. It’s a film that is made to be a spectacle.

Published on November 7, 2021 at 11:48 pm