‘Dune’ is epic ‘cinematic marvel’

“Dune”
Photo |Warner Bros

“Dune” is every bit the science-fiction epic demanded by one of the most beloved classics of the genre, Frank Herbert’s enduring 1965 novel that has inspired imitators throughout pop culture, as well as several poorly received film adaptations. Stately, gorgeous, exciting and ethereal, Denis Villeneuve has made a magnificent spectacle anchored by compelling performances.

Timothée Chalamet transplants his brooding demeanor and incredible hair to space as Paul Atreides, the son of a great ruling house led by his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), and whose birthright seems to include more than just out-of-this-world bone structure. Paul’s mother (Rebecca Ferguson) is one of the Bene Gesserit, an ancient, powerful order of mystical women who are, for lack of a better word, magic. These magic women have been trying to breed a Messiah figure for thousands of years, and it starts to seem Paul is “the one.” 

Summarizing science-fiction plots makes them sound ridiculous, but a successful film like this one convinces you of its crazy world. “Dune” did an excellent job, not just of convincing the viewer this unfamiliar futuristic world was real, but of explaining things to those of us who haven’t read the book obsessively. It was not difficult to find an entry point or to follow the power struggles between House Atreides, House Harkonnen, the native peoples of Arrakis, and the competing demands for “spice,” the most valuable substance in the universe, which is harvested on the sandy dunes of Arrakis. Plus, everyone wore different armor and someone would usually yell “it’s the Harkonnen” or whatever, and frankly, I was relieved to be able to hang.

The film looked amazing, the actors were great and the complex story was rewardingly well laid out. It is faithful enough for the devoted “Dune”-head, but accessible enough for a normal person. The costumes are magnificent, from elaborately beaded face jewelry and cryptic religious garb to military jackets and armor to gorgeously draped cloaks and, most importantly, “stillsuits,” a complex, wearable apparatus that keeps you alive in the harsh desert by harvesting body moisture for drinking. 

Other awesome onscreen creations included a helicopter-like vehicle called a ’thopter, which flies like a dragonfly, and one of Dune’s most dangerous predators, the dreaded sandworm. This massive creature is arguably the most deadly thing on a planet that is pretty much entirely deadly, and it is given visual grandeur accordingly. 

Denis Villeneuve, who also directed “Blade Runner 2049” and “Arrival,” is a visionary, and this film is stupendous to experience. He has created an aesthetic for the future that has recognizable historical elements and architecture that are expressed in stunning new ways. Imagine a medieval castle as a massive spacecraft. Stone and sand mix brilliantly with futuristic tech, as do swords instead of guns.

This plot-heavy saga is not as rich emotionally as it is visually. While I could have learned more about the Duke’s motives and feelings, at the center, Chalamet is given room to show us Paul’s arc as he grows from a brilliant but unsure boy to a determined man. Given the density of the source material, this film is just part one of two planned installments. Therefore, even though it is two-and-a-half hours long, it is incomplete. So, overall, the film is somewhat unsatisfying, by design. 

Above all, this is a cinematic marvel, a film to get you back into the movie theaters. While you can stream it on HBO Max, I highly recommend you see it on the big screen, if you are inclined to go to the movies in our current (improving!) pandemic situation. It is made to inspire awe and almost constantly does so. Mysterious, beautiful and entirely epic, “Dune” is sure to satisfy old fans and recruit new ones. 

“Dune” is now playing at the Crescent Theater, Nexus Cinema Dining and all multiplex theaters.

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