Dune Film Review
A review of the critically-acclaimed film Dune.
December 1, 2021
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings obliteration.”-Lady Jessica of The Atreides
The highly anticipated film Dune, directed by Denis Villenueve, was released in theaters and on HBO Max on October 22nd. The film has a star-studded cast featuring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and Jason Mamoa starring on the posters and headlines.
The film is based on the acclaimed 1965 Science-fiction novel by Frank Herbert. It follows a gifted young boy named Paul Atreides, portrayed by Chalamet, who goes on a journey to a new planet with his family to lead their people to success, conflict ensues. The dynamic between Paul, his family, and the forces of the planet lead Paul to discover his true destiny.
One thing that you can be sure of, Dune is a cinematic experience. It’s a film that everyone, if given the opportunity, needs to experience in a theater. The use of cinematography, sound, and set design created a completely immersive experience that emphasized the beauty and truly put you in the world you are watching.
The soundtrack is probably the most acclaimed aspect, and rightfully so. Hans Zimmer, one of the most talented composers in the industry, wrote the score for the film. The sounds and instrumentation used throughout the film feels almost three-dimensional, guaranteed to give you goosebumps and possibly bring tears to your eyes. The soundtrack is what truly makes the film so captivating, leaving the two and half hour run-time to seem short.
Timothée Chalamet commands the screen, completely encompassing the innocent yet bold youth of Paul Atreides. It is a performance of his that completely stands out from the rest. There is no denying the talent presented within all the actors in the film.
On another viewpoint, some viewers were not as pleased with the hit film. Minor critiques flooded social media and reviews. The main issue being Zendaya playing a huge part of the press tour and headlines, when in actuality she only has about 7 minutes of screen time in the 155-minute film.
The film ends inconclusive, setting the story to be told in multiple parts. While some feel as though the plot didn’t develop enough within the film to warrant the ending, nothing negative is to be said about the incredible acting or immersive quality of the film. Overall, Dune is to be seen as an impressive, meticulously-crafted theatrical experience. Dune: Part Two has been announced, and has already gained buzz and excitement for the continuation of the franchise.