There’s big movies and then there are movies like Dune which aim to be bigger than big in scope, plot, and detail. Adapted from the ground breaking novel, Dennis Villeneuve brings his sense of wonder to the story of feuding houses, resource allocation, and a Chosen One.
In the future, the empire control a planet called Arrakis, the only source in the universe of spice, a compound that makes space travel possible and leads to higher thought. Previously held by House Harkonnen, the emperor soon transfers stewardship to House Atreides headed up by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac). Leto realizes that something might be up with this but must comply. He moves his advisors and family to the planet. At the same time his son Paul Atriedes (Timothee Chalamet) is beginning to come into his own unique powers under the guidance of his Bene Gesserit mother (Rebecca Fergusson), whose order has other potential plans. Their presence on the planet sets into motion events that will change the direction of the universe forever.
One of the strongest aspects of this film are how the sense of grandeur really amplifies the narrative. Denis and his incomparable collaborators (Greg Fraiser, Patrice Vermette, the VFX team) seamless work together to bring the script to life and blend in with the script. Every world and character is defined in every aspect, and alongside the script it wasn’t difficult to follow. This is an astounding feat considering the way the story unfolds. While you might be confused with the names of the characters, you definitely won’t be lost with the intergalactic politics. I loved how the movie gives you the tools you need to realize what’s happening so that you can be immersed in the world of the characters.
Where Dune sort of loses the audience is that by nature of being only half a story, the movie starts to stall even as it builds towards its conclusion. It’s a very strange conundrum as the movie gets infinitely more action packed as it moves. Even as the visuals remain excellent, something about the pace of events unfolding before ending on a note that feels consequential for the characters, but not for us as viewers. Yes, it very clearly is a part one of a two part story but much like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, it struggles to make the ending of the first part of the story whole.