There are plenty to choose from given that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a backlog of blockbusters, but Dune is the film I’ve been most looking forward to this year.
Based on the hugely popular 1965 science-fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert, the combination of director Denis Villeneuve – of Bladerunner 2049 fame – and a loaded cast made for a mouth-watering prospect.
The result is an absolutely epic sci-fi offering, showcasing incredible world-building, brilliant visuals, a stellar soundtrack and very enjoyable action – making Dune easily one of the best films of 2021.
Set in the very distant future where the most valuable product is substance known as Spice, the story here focuses on House Atreides: Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and son Paul (Timothée Chalamet).
A powerful family, they – including Duke’s advisors Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) – are sent to the desert planet Arrakis to take over production of the Spice from the brutal Harkonnen family.
Led by a disturbing Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir and aided by Dave Bautista’s Beast Rabban, they’ve terrorised the planet’s native people, known as the Fremen, while getting rich from their Spice trading exploits.
Among the Fremen are Zendaya’s Chani (you won’t see as much of her as you expect) and their leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem). They have distinctive blue eyes and share their desert with massive sand worms, which serve as a constant (and impressive) threat.
Naturally, this change in the status quo – by order of the Emperor, no less –puts House Atreides in the Harkonnen’s crosshairs and sets in motion a chain of events that bring brutal conflict and epic action.
To say much more about the story would venture into spoiler territory and ruin your experience of Dune (part one).
That’s right, Villeneuve has split the book into two (or perhaps even three) parts, meaning this serves as more of an appetiser for what could come next.
Dune’s best quality is its ability to transport you into these alien worlds. As mentioned above, the planets we see are beautifully built and I fully bought into this rich universe.
Chalamet, in perhaps his biggest role to date, works well as the lead here. He and Lady Jessica have mysterious abilities that are developed somewhat here, but are likely to be more prominent if the sequels are green lit.
You get what you expect from Isaac, Momoa and Brolin, too. All three are on strong form and bring a real gravitas to proceedings.
On the other side of the argument, Skarsgård and Bautista are both on terrifying form. The Harkonnen are impressive bad guys and are as easy to hate as they are savage in battle.
There is more lore to come with the Fremen, though. You feel Dune is just getting started and their story is still to come, especially if Paul’s dreams of Chani (he appears to possess some kind of foresight) are anything to go by.
This review has barely scratched the surface when it comes to the epic scale of Dune, but I’d urge anybody who enjoys the sci-fi genre to see it at the cinema.
I watched it in 3D at Boston Savoy and it’s fair to say I’m pleased with my choice, given the epic visuals on show.
With part two clearly in mind, the film does finish on something of a cliffhanger and with the story nowhere near conclusion.
Not finishing Dune’s story would be an absolute travesty, so it’s great to see that part two is dropping in 2023.
Voice Verdict: 9.5/10 (reviewed at Boston Savoy)
+ Incredible world building
+ Epic visuals and sound
+ Huge cast on form
+ Promise of more in part two
