Haven't read it, know next to nothing about Dune but I have to say I absolutely loved this. I was completely captivated and wished it could have been 8 hours long.
The direction, the visuals, the world building.. so many things were on point.
For those that aren't a sucker for quality sci-fi I do feel they could find this a little too slow moving as there's an abundance of characters, huge groundwork to be laid and of course it's apparently only the first half of the book which could perhaps leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied. Nevertheless I think most will still enjoy it.
I mean, it's not bad, but the story is ultimately a traditional hero's journey with a 'chosen one' and loads of dialogue about coming to terms about one's power and responsibilities. I've seen that before. I've also seen epic vistas accompanied by Hand Zimmer scores. Also, I don't go to the movies in order to wait for the sequel. The 3rd act led to nothing, and I felt quite underwhelmed. Maybe I'm just getting tired of blockbusters.
+ Massive dimensions to highlight the Desert Planet and the Universe around it
+ Epic music / sound supporting the epic scenes
+ Book readers can be proud how the story is presented
+ Excellent use of slow frames and bringing details to the forefront
+ Cast includes multiple actors / actresses who fill the screen
+ Select 3D if possible, it supports the movie and I forgot that I have 3D glasses
Wow, the visuals, but wow I cannot understand how you made this so boring. Political conspiracy and mystery? Gone. Lots of vague dreams and something. No real narrative paradigm that makes us root for the hero. What the heck happened? I mean, it's lovely visually and the acting is great, but the script is completely lacking in context and explanation. Any scene that has to do with the narrative is like *GIBBERISH* and then we're back to the visuals.
I mean, I'm not a Dune purist, but this was not really Dune so much as the standout scenes you expect to see with a TON OF BEIGE DESERT.
"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
I think it would be asking too much of a film adaptation of Dune to have every single scene in the book, so to manage it, Villeneuve doesn't stray from Paul's perspective very often. One could well imagine a "special edition" (as per the Middle Earth films) that restores cutaways to the Bene Gesserit, the Emperor, and more of the Harkonnens, but I don't think that's necessary. His version of Dune efficiently presents a complicated world even if we're not directly privy to all the political machinations. In terms of visuals, it has scale if not opulence, and my one complaint is that it's one of those dingy, under-saturated films, with lots of action taking place in grayed-out day for night conditions. It otherwise looks good, with very cool ornithopters, etc. and an excellent cast. The script even finds humor where it can without going overboard with it. There IS color, but it's mostly relegated to Paul's visions, which could seem unnecessary, but have three functions, as I see it. First, if Part One had been the only film made (as Dune seemed too intellectual to get good box office), it would have given a sense of where things might go for audiences who don't know the source material. Second, if you reject that notion, they act as a promise that Part Two is coming. And third, they are actually very good at showing how precognition works and how Paul can know what he does and even take control of his (and the universe's) destiny. As a three-time reader of the novel (every 15 years, it seems), I was satisfied, and if you're wondering, my friends who didn't know what to expect at all "got" it and enjoyed it a great deal. If the uninitiated aren't lost, that's an important victory. Some fans might be picky about the film's cuts and simplifications, but I'm not one of them.
@Erland G, perhaps you haven’t read the book, but one of the things that makes Dune unique is that it’s NOT a traditional hero’s journey. In fact one of the major focal points of the story is the subversion of that narrative. Hopefully we’ll get a part two to bring that point home. I understand why you would think that after just watching part one, but the story does not end the way of a traditional hero’s journey. It’s so much better than that.
How many times do you guys watch the same shit?
Star Wars, Avatar, Dune, and every other fantasy movie has the same shit story, the same shit expected tropes. I cannot watch more than 30 minutes of this crap, I know some of you fans will watch 10 sequels to reach the same end which everyone can guess and has seen 100s of times.
My rating - 4/10
I apparently watched the original Lynch Dune in 2012, according to my notes on this site, but I have zero recollection of ever doing that. So I watched the extended version of it today and had the worst time in years, not gonna lie. It had good parts in it, but most of it was just straight up awful and off-putting to me.
Then I watched this new version straight after and had a lovely time. It had bad parts in it, but most of it was just straight up awesome and pleasurable to me.
Seriously impressive how well the tone and the worldbuilding is set up in this one. About the only thing I know about Dune is that it has been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time and totally unread. That being said, knowledge of the book is not a requirement in order to enjoy it to the fullest. The scope is large, and the visuals are off the charts. For not knowing the world I found it very easy to drop into and would adore seeing more. I didn't notice the long runtime in the slightest bit. And to those who dislike the "chosen one" direction that the plot takes, I think we have to remember that this is a novel from 1965. We're a long time before Star Wars or a lot of famous Sci-Fi that features a singular character being the savior of the world/universe/or whatever. Something to keep in mind. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 15 of 20
MrDoog
Haven't read it, know next to nothing about Dune but I have to say I absolutely loved this. I was completely captivated and wished it could have been 8 hours long.The direction, the visuals, the world building.. so many things were on point.
For those that aren't a sucker for quality sci-fi I do feel they could find this a little too slow moving as there's an abundance of characters, huge groundwork to be laid and of course it's apparently only the first half of the book which could perhaps leave some viewers feeling unsatisfied. Nevertheless I think most will still enjoy it.
Can't wait for the next one
ESG
I mean, it's not bad, but the story is ultimately a traditional hero's journey with a 'chosen one' and loads of dialogue about coming to terms about one's power and responsibilities. I've seen that before. I've also seen epic vistas accompanied by Hand Zimmer scores. Also, I don't go to the movies in order to wait for the sequel. The 3rd act led to nothing, and I felt quite underwhelmed. Maybe I'm just getting tired of blockbusters.CodeV
+ Massive dimensions to highlight the Desert Planet and the Universe around it+ Epic music / sound supporting the epic scenes
+ Book readers can be proud how the story is presented
+ Excellent use of slow frames and bringing details to the forefront
+ Cast includes multiple actors / actresses who fill the screen
+ Select 3D if possible, it supports the movie and I forgot that I have 3D glasses
Fear is the mind-killer.
aeneaiese
is timothee chalamet the same character with the same hairstyle in every movie he's in? charlotte rampling was great thoughStanleyKubrick
I'd call this a really beautiful, verbatim video illustration of a novel - very careful, but I missed the author's approach and courage a bitfrankqb
Wow, the visuals, but wow I cannot understand how you made this so boring. Political conspiracy and mystery? Gone. Lots of vague dreams and something. No real narrative paradigm that makes us root for the hero. What the heck happened? I mean, it's lovely visually and the acting is great, but the script is completely lacking in context and explanation. Any scene that has to do with the narrative is like *GIBBERISH* and then we're back to the visuals.I mean, I'm not a Dune purist, but this was not really Dune so much as the standout scenes you expect to see with a TON OF BEIGE DESERT.
gorgi
I liked the cinematics and environment but found the movie a bit boring. 7/10BLJNBrouwer
"I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Siskoid
I think it would be asking too much of a film adaptation of Dune to have every single scene in the book, so to manage it, Villeneuve doesn't stray from Paul's perspective very often. One could well imagine a "special edition" (as per the Middle Earth films) that restores cutaways to the Bene Gesserit, the Emperor, and more of the Harkonnens, but I don't think that's necessary. His version of Dune efficiently presents a complicated world even if we're not directly privy to all the political machinations. In terms of visuals, it has scale if not opulence, and my one complaint is that it's one of those dingy, under-saturated films, with lots of action taking place in grayed-out day for night conditions. It otherwise looks good, with very cool ornithopters, etc. and an excellent cast. The script even finds humor where it can without going overboard with it. There IS color, but it's mostly relegated to Paul's visions, which could seem unnecessary, but have three functions, as I see it. First, if Part One had been the only film made (as Dune seemed too intellectual to get good box office), it would have given a sense of where things might go for audiences who don't know the source material. Second, if you reject that notion, they act as a promise that Part Two is coming. And third, they are actually very good at showing how precognition works and how Paul can know what he does and even take control of his (and the universe's) destiny. As a three-time reader of the novel (every 15 years, it seems), I was satisfied, and if you're wondering, my friends who didn't know what to expect at all "got" it and enjoyed it a great deal. If the uninitiated aren't lost, that's an important victory. Some fans might be picky about the film's cuts and simplifications, but I'm not one of them.guitarmas5
@Erland G, perhaps you haven’t read the book, but one of the things that makes Dune unique is that it’s NOT a traditional hero’s journey. In fact one of the major focal points of the story is the subversion of that narrative. Hopefully we’ll get a part two to bring that point home. I understand why you would think that after just watching part one, but the story does not end the way of a traditional hero’s journey. It’s so much better than that.mysteryfan
How many times do you guys watch the same shit?Star Wars, Avatar, Dune, and every other fantasy movie has the same shit story, the same shit expected tropes. I cannot watch more than 30 minutes of this crap, I know some of you fans will watch 10 sequels to reach the same end which everyone can guess and has seen 100s of times.
My rating - 4/10
Minamu
I apparently watched the original Lynch Dune in 2012, according to my notes on this site, but I have zero recollection of ever doing that. So I watched the extended version of it today and had the worst time in years, not gonna lie. It had good parts in it, but most of it was just straight up awful and off-putting to me.Then I watched this new version straight after and had a lovely time. It had bad parts in it, but most of it was just straight up awesome and pleasurable to me.
Earring72
Stunning looking and sounding sci/fi drama but didn't grip me that much. Was ok, but problably needs re-watching.2nd viewing: still impressive and makes me wanna go to part 2 in the cinema
DisneyStitch
Seriously impressive how well the tone and the worldbuilding is set up in this one. About the only thing I know about Dune is that it has been sitting on my bookshelf for a long time and totally unread. That being said, knowledge of the book is not a requirement in order to enjoy it to the fullest. The scope is large, and the visuals are off the charts. For not knowing the world I found it very easy to drop into and would adore seeing more. I didn't notice the long runtime in the slightest bit. And to those who dislike the "chosen one" direction that the plot takes, I think we have to remember that this is a novel from 1965. We're a long time before Star Wars or a lot of famous Sci-Fi that features a singular character being the savior of the world/universe/or whatever. Something to keep in mind. Eagerly awaiting the next installment.Rassu
PART ONE?!?!? If anybody had told me that beforehand, I wouldn't have bothered going to the theatre.Showing items 1 – 15 of 20