I finally found the time (in between trying to make my daily word count for NaNoWriMo) to watch the new incarnation of Dune. The film was directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth. Of course, it’s based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert. This version, Part One of a two-part series, covers roughly the first half of the book and ends just as our heroes arrive at their new home in the desert.
The book and movie detail the life of young Paul Atreides, the son and heir of Duke Leo Atreides. They have been “given” the honor of ruling the desert planet of Arrakis, where the mystic spice that fuels space travel is mined. As Paul quickly discovers, however, it’s a white elephant gift: the planet’s rightful inhabitants resent outside rule and are actively fomenting rebellion; the former rulers, House Harkonnen, resents being replaced and losing the massive profits of spice production; and the Emperor resents the rising popularity of House Atreides. They’re being set up for total failure, not only of the spice production, but of their very right to exist.
There’s a twist, though. Young Paul hasn’t only been raised to rule his House. His mother, a former Bene-Gesserit priestess, has trained him as she was trained, even though only women are supposed to receive this training. Paul has grown up using mystic powers and learning to control his mind and his body. When he arrives on Arrakis, it’s as if he already knows the culture and people of the planet. In the movie, this is shown through a series of visions Paul has when he is exposed to the psychoactive spice.
I enjoyed this movie. It’s not as dark and dismal as most of the modern shows seem to be. Even though the story is rife with political intrigue and conspiracy, you get the idea that Paul is going to triumph somehow. Of course, I read the book years ago, so I actually do know what’s coming, but I won’t spoil it for any new readers. I appreciate the fact that the director chose not to use the currently-popular dim lighting that prevents me from enjoying some of the newer films. You can clearly see everything in Dune, which is nice because the sets and costumes are wonderful. I especially liked their version of the desert still-suits, which the 1984 movie totally got wrong.
If you enjoyed Herbert’s books, you should give this movie a try. If you’ve never read the originals, but you enjoy a good sci-fi film, you should watch this one–and read the books. Timothèe Chalamet does a great job as the young maybe-chosen-one who really would rather just be an ordinary man. Rebecca Ferguson is nice as his mother and Oscar Isaac as the reigning duke. I was happy to see Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa as Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho, respectively, and Stellan Skarsgärd and Dave Bautista do a good job as the villainous Harkonnen baron and his nephew. As I mentioned, the sets and costumes will wow you, and the special effects are suitably impressive (I think they did a good job with the sandworms).
What did you think of the movie?