DUNE is a beautifully performed cinematic spectacle. However, the lack of buzz, lengthy length and confusing narrative will hurt its box office prospects.

DUNE is the story of the son of a noble family who would become The One. The year is 10191. This is when a group of planets became part of the Empire, and they all set their sights on the planet of Arakis. Arrakis is a dry, hot, and desolate place, and the only people who live there are the Fremen. They are dangerous and professional fighters. However, all the planets are interested in Arrakis because that is where the “spice” grows. It is an invaluable substance that prolongs human youth, vitality and longevity, so it is in great demand in the Empire. For about 80 years, the Harkonnen family of the planet Giedi Prime has been responsible for the spice harvest in Arrakis. But by the Emperor’s orders, the fief of Arrakis was transferred to the rule of the planet Caladan – Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) of House Atreides. Leto and his partner Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) are the parents of Paul (Timothy Chalamet), and all three head to Arakis to take over. Paul had a mysterious dream in which he saw the landscape of Arakis. He also sees a girl (Zendaya), unable to decipher what the dream conveys. Only then did it find out that Jessica was a member of Bene Gesserit, a group of women pursuing arcane political goals and possessing seemingly superhuman physical and mental abilities. Jessica invites Bene Gesserit’s pastor mother (Charlotte Rampling) to learn about the dreams that plague Paul. Just before Paul traveled to Arakis, her revelation had a profound effect on him. Leto, Jessica, and Paul arrive in Arakis, and while everything seems to be under control, they don’t know there’s a sinister plan going on behind it.

DUNE is based on Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name. The story is complex and not all aspects are easy to understand. But overall, it’s a compelling story that deserves a celluloid adaptation. The screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth is captivating. The writers did their best to explain to the audience the background of the film and the dynamics shared by the various characters. DUNE isn’t just about action and scale, it’s a human drama, and the three writers deserve credit for handling that. However, writing for the second half stalled, and some aspects of the film were never properly explained. The dialogue is deep, some of which may exceed the audience’s imagination.

Denis Villeneuve’s direction is commendable. It took a lot of courage to make a film like this that gives Dennis a perfect score because he excels at it. The film is a visual spectacle, and one of its big selling points. Dennis handles this perfectly. There are several scenarios where execution is abnormal. On the other hand, a 155-minute movie is too long. The action was short in the first half, but in the second half, one could feel the film was going on. Also, it has no humor or lighthearted moments. Combined with a complex narrative, DUNE is only suitable for a niche audience.

The order of introduction of DUNE is a bit confusing. It wasn’t until later when Paul spoke with his father that things became much clearer. Paul’s training sequence with Gurney (Josh Brolin) and Paul’s intense interaction with the Virgin are memorable. Tensions finally rise during the scene where the Atreides team tries to rescue the trawler members from the sandworms. The second half takes the film to another level as the Duke is suddenly attacked at night. Paul’s escape was dramatic. But the scene of him running and looking for the Fremen got longer. The climactic battle is unremarkable. The film ends with the promise of a sequel.

Speaking of acting, Timothée Chalamet handles the protagonist with flamboyance. He looked personable, and he was able and subtle. Oscar Isaac is likable. Rebecca Ferguson is amazing and has a ton of screen time. Zendaya has a compelling presence, but sadly she’s less than 10 minutes there. She has a fan following who will surely feel neglected knowing she’s barely there. Charlotte Rampling left her mark in a cameo. Josh Brolin is good, and Jason Momoa (Duncan Idaho) is as funny as ever. Stellan Skarsgård (Baron Vladimir Harkonnen) is aggressive and his entry scene is quite good. Dave Bautista (Rabban) doesn’t have much scope. Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dr. Liet-Kynes) is excellent. Javier Bardem (Stirgar) is good. Stephen McKinley Henderson (Thufir Hawat), Chang Chen (Dr Yueh), Babs Olusanmokun (Jamis) and Benjamin Clementine (Herald Of The Change) are all good.

As expected, Hans Zimmer’s music increased the impact. However, in some scenes, the music was too loud and too “cinematic” to match the visuals playing on the screen. Greg Fraser’s cinematography is worthy of an award. Especially the desert landscapes are very beautifully photographed. Patrice Vermet’s production design is so rich that it really feels like the setting of this movie is another world. Bob Morgan and Jacqueline West’s clothing is unique and charming. The action is great, thank goodness, not bloody. The visual effects are top notch. Some effects are never seen before. Joe Walker’s cut could have been sharper.

Overall, DUNE is a cinematic spectacle complete with some great acting. However, due to the lack of buzz, length, narrative confusion, lack of humor and lighthearted moments; it will only appeal to a small audience.

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