Denis Villeneuve's Dune 2021: Part 1.
With a brisk runtime of just 2.5 hours, Villeneuve's 2021 remake of David Lynch's critically acclaimed 1984 blockbuster classic is clearly intended as a starter rather than a main course. Its plot covers the first three chapters of the first book of the 28 canonical volumes of Francis H. Herbert's controversial Galactic Drug Trade saga. A sequel (currently planned for release in October 2023) will summarise the rest of the books.
If I could summarise this movie in just two word, they would be 'wasted opportunities.' There is so much good about it, yet Villeneuve inexplicably omits several elements I had eagerly anticipated.
What I liked
Villeneuve's vision of Lynch's interpretation of Herbert's work unfolds in a far distant where Western and Eastern cultures have coalesced and humanity now exists as a single race of interstellar Space Arabs. The ceaseless battle for resources and territory is dominated by countless aristocratic families and war clans. Of these, we meet just a few:
* House Corrino: Mongolian Space Arabs
* House Harkonnen: Nazi Space Arabs
* House Artreides: Scottish Space Arabs
* Bene Gesserit: Muslim Space Arabs
* Fremen: xenophobic libertarian Space Arabs
This was all very cool and imaginative. I loved the sound of the Sardaukar language, especially the throat singing.
Villeneuve's visuals are flawless. There is a palpable sense of epic scale in his vast sets, titanic space ships, and massive battle formations. This imposing 'visual mass' (as Høenig calls it) combines with the sparse colour pallet to produce a masterclass in fictional worldbuilding. Everything on the screen feels heavy, solid, and real.
The Bene Gesserit 'Voice' technique is depicted very differently to the book, but I liked how they did this.
The music is exceptionally good, with a strong Hans Zimmer vibe that falls somewhere between Blue Planet II and Blade Runner 2049.
What I didn't like
The anaemic 12A rating takes a heavy toll, particularly in the combat scenes. Fights are bloodless, poorly choregraphed playground scuffles without a hint of suspense or genuine threat. Boo!
The Harkonnen are ludicrously sanitised. They look good, yet I just can't take them seriously. Boo!
Baron Wladimir is still an imposing figure, but without the bestial menace and sexual depravity that was so well showcased by Lynch. In Villeneuve's depiction he comes across as a mildly aggressive uncle with gastric problems. He doesn't project any sense of evil or violence. Boo!
Glossu Rabban (played by the goofy alien guy from Guardians of the Galaxy) has the personality of cardboard and all the thrilling masculine energy of a plastic spork. Very poor casting here. I have no idea what they were thinking. Boo!
The Mentats' role is never explained, and they lack the defining characteristic of Sapho-stained lips. Boo!
We are told that Melange is used by the Navigators for interstellar travel, but not how or why. We never see a Navigator in action, and we are robbed of the majestic Third Stage Navigator entrance scene for which Lynch's film has become famous. Boo!
There's probably more, but that's all I can think of right now.
I rate Denis Villeneuve's Dune 2021: Part 1 at 24.97 on the Haglee Scale, which works out as 7.5 Space Arabs out of 10 on IMDB.
The final sequences and ending were just laughable. They need to leave this alone now.
