‘Dune’ delivers an epic adaptation for devotees and newcomers, alike
Denis' Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ is an electric breath of fresh air to the pandemic exhibition era, doing the unthinkable in achieving an honest, bombastic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s mythical novel.
The story of ‘Dune’ from page to screen has been notably rocky. Many know the story of the largely panned 1984 David Lynch ‘Dune,’ which many novel fans found insufferable and many casual viewers found disorienting. Director Denis Villeneuve (‘Arrival,’ ‘Blade Runner 2049’) has spoken frequently about the profound influence Herbert’s Dune had on him as a child, and his passion shines through from start to finish in this 2021 version. Since Frank Herbert changed the sci-fi genre with Dune’s publication in 1965, the pop-culture impact has been largely dampened and copied. Most notably, Star Wars was influenced deeply by the novel and succeeded in translating key themes into the public consciousness and claiming them as their own, from mystical voice control to magnificent space empires to Campbellian heroes transported to alien worlds.
For the unacquainted, ‘Dune’ tells the story of the trials of the Atreides family in the cutthroat galactic empire, through the lens of Paul Atreides, heir to the throne. Paul’s father Leto accepts the Emperor Shaddam IV’s offer of inheriting control of the planet Arrakis / Dune, which produces the essential spice, melange, that the universe depends on. The ruthless Harkonnen family, a sworn enemy of House Atreides, is revoked stewardship over Dune, and political warfare ensues, threatening all involved. Unlike the 1984 adaptation, Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ cuts the novel in half, relishing in the rich universe and narrative rather than rushing to any conclusions.
While this adaptation is a loyal translation of the seminal novel, Villeneuve makes several important and intuitive changes to modernize this tale. The strength of women was a core element of the novel, with the power seen with Lady Jessica, the Bene Gesserit order, and fierce Fremen warriors. Villeneuve brings women to the center of this story, as Lady Jessica and Chani are core characters here, and their presences illuminate the motivations of chief characters, Paul and Leto Atreides. The narrative follows the Atreides family leaving their home planet of Caladan and inhabiting Dune, and the colonialistic history of Dune is explored beautifully. In initial encounters with the Atreides family, the Fremen are understandably questionable of these outsiders’ motivations with the planet, and the conflict between cultures is a key theme throughout this saga.
Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica Atreides
While the script brings the tale forward in a faithful way, the cinematography and sound design awaken this film in extraordinary fashion. Cinematographer Greig Fraser (‘Zero Dark Thirty,’ ‘Rogue One’) shoots this film in Roger Deakins-style, with ornate dances of light, sweeping landscapes, and well-mixed CGI and practical elements. The visual effects on this film are simply astounding, and the advanced ornithopters, spice harvesters, and galactic ships seen in this fictional world are totally believable on a scale beyond even Star Wars. Hans Zimmer delivers a score that feels futuristic, classical, and even wholly alien at the necessary moments. Zimmer blends electronic synth tones with blaring percussion to elevate these galactic stakes and foreign planets to great success.
Like his past explorations in the sci-fi genre, director Denis Villeneuve has a strong hand over the terrific ensemble’s performances here in ‘Dune.’ Timothée Chalamet is a worthy Paul Atreides, inhabiting the contrasting cold sense of dread at his prophetic future along with his warm, undying loyalty to his birth family and adopted Fremen family. Oscar Isaac and Rebecca Ferguson are rich as Leto and Jessica Atreides, respectfully, giving strong anchors for Paul to grow from in his journey. Jason Momoa is arguably at his best here as Duncan Idaho, the fierce warrior that mentors Paul, along with Josh Brolin’s loyal Gurney Halleck. Stellan Skarsgård was notably excellent as the repulsive, conniving Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, giving an imposing, memorable turn as a far-out character. The mentats Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and Piter De Vries (David Dastmalchian) were serviceable, but underused here compared to the source material.
From left: Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Oscar Isaac as Leto Atreides, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat.
Viewing this film as a lifelong fan of the literature felt intoxicating and emotional. Denis Villeneuve managed to reimagine this world in glorious fashion, with a seamless combination of the real Wadi Rum desert with futuristic visual effects. While the pandemic trend pushed distributors dangerously close to streaming, seeing ‘Dune’ on the big screen was a religious experience, as sound and picture collided to transport me to a world I had envisioned for many hours alone when reading my dog-eared copy of Herbert’s masterpiece. While Warner Bros. have handicapped this film’s box office potential with its day-and-date release on HBO Max, I have hope at the time of writing that this story will be granted its conclusion in a sequel, as the global response has been quite strong thus far. As much credit as this groundbreaking achievement deserves, the final credits leave much unfinished in this narrative, which further necessitates the story to continue. Alas, I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.
Sean Kelso is the founder and editor-in-chief of Greyscale.
