It is difficult for me to even format my endless thoughts and feelings about Dune without just screaming Denis Villeneuve’s name over and over, because I have admired that man so deeply for years and the feat of cinema that he has pulled off here is just astounding. I had not read Frank Herbert’s novel Dune (famously considered unadaptable until now) before viewing, so I cannot completely comment on his skill in adapting such a vast story because I don’t know how faithful it is or isn’t. But I can say that for a book and a fictional world that I know to be incredibly dense, I found Dune remarkably clear and digestible while still delivering so much setup and having some of the most impressive and dynamic world-building of all time. It attempts to juggle a massive amount of plotting. From being a coming-of-age tale about young Paul Atreides literally and figuratively finding his voice, to a political war drama about warring factions, to a pointed critique of religious propaganda and the messiah complex. And of course, on its base level also just an intergalactic all-out action film. However, while there are so many moving parts of the narrative at all times, it miraculously never feels like 'spinning too many plates as once or losing its clarity of storytelling.
It is essential to note that this is and was always designed to be part one of a larger story and not a complete tale. Therefore, I understand why some may feel like it’s ‘all setup’ or be frustrated by the way it ends at such a loose end which can feel quite unsatisfying. It was never going to be something you could judge on its completion of the grand storylines it set out upon. That would be as unfair as if you just saw The Fellowship of the Ring by itself out of the context of the complete Lord of the Rings trilogy and made a judgement on it. However, I do think that as a singular film, Dune does see its characters reach a satisfying enough point in their development that it didn’t frustrate me. Though its narrative threads are left open to be winded smoothly into the sequel, I feel that its thematic and emotional throughlines are sufficiently concluded. Though first published over 50 years ago, Dune remains an absolutely striking tale of colonialism. And it’s a biting takedown of dangerously propaganda-fueled religious ideologies and the very concept of a Messiah. I know there’s been a lot of jokes made about the film and its ‘space politics’, which may conjure images of the slightly ridiculous Jedi High Council in the Star Wars prequels. But despite the fantastical setting, I found the nature of house of Atreides, in terms of how their political purpose and values are presented in the world of Dune, to be captivating.
I think the only criticism of film that can understand a little is that it is perhaps the slightest bit cold at points and lacking in emotion. Blade Runner 2049, Denis’ previous film, is one of my absolute favourite films of all time, and is still superior to Dune in my opinion (so much of why I am so elated that Dune is commercially successful is because of the tragic commercial flop of BR2049). Both are absolute spectacles of visual filmmaking, but I think the emotional weight and clarity that runs through BR2049 is so moving and affecting in a way that nothing in Dune is. That being said, I don’t think Dune is lacking in emotion in a way that hinders it in any serious way, and it is still ultimately effective enough. I think the film is extremely well cast and full of impressive performances, but for me Rebecca Ferguson is the MVP and gives a wonderfully sensitive performance. I feel as though I could go on forever listing the various technical and directorial merits of Dune, but I will simply conclude by saying that while I was initially a little nervous, I am now absolutely radiating with excitement for the series to continue.
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