What to say about Dune?
Damn. This is what cinemas exist for.
First of all it was such a privilege to watch a new screen adaptation of the book, especially one made by a truly capable director and full of quality actors and technicians. Glad I lived to see it. I’ve managed to purge myself from the hype and entered the movie just happy to be there and soak it all up. If it wasn’t for two loud popcorn eaters next to me - it might have been a perfect experience.
I’d say it was a remarkably successful adaptation of the book (first half obviously). It’s a canonical example of ‘show don’t tell’ done right. So much of the storytelling and connecting the dots is done subtly, with what appears almost a throwaway line or shot. Narrative from the book is mostly changed around the middle part, from when they land on Arrakis to the inevitable outcome. This part in the book is a tense, slowly building crescendo of paranoid moments, feeling the trap is set but being unable to find it. Entire family Atreides behaves like rats in a burning box - biting, scratching, unable to escape until it’s too late. Movie cuts almost all of this and keeps it streamlined driving the story forward. I think it actually serves the movie well, but I still miss more of Thufir Hawat going insane or Leto feeling the weight of the world sitting on his shoulders and getting heavier. Lynch movie for example nailed this with only few scenes, Hawat losing his shit completely at ‘finding Harkonen spies too easily’ and Leto having cold sweats. Once the trap is activated though - the movie picks up pace and finishes strongly in my opinion just at the right spot. Some critics were rambling about ‘what kind of end is this’ - but it was and is the only end possible once the call was made to split the book. For an almost three hour long movie, it still leaves out A LOT of what’s in the book so I’m hoping for an extended cut down the line.
One thing that was fairly impressive is how it caters well to both people who know nothing about the world and diehard fans. I thought it danced on this line well, never overcommitting to either, peppering a lot of subtle clues and hints to those ‘in the know’ without confusing the others. Things that are almost untranslatable to the screen - like Paul’s visions of different futures opening ahead of him - were reduced to ‘metaphorical postcards from the future’ - and this is ok. End game is really all that matters and end game for Paul, one he can see - is a deadly war in his name. He starts with glances, but as he is exposed to melange - he gets to see more of it and it’s not something he can easily commit to. One thing I missed from the book is special importance Herbert put on the night Paul and his mother spend in the desert. This is really the breaking point for Paul. Again, Lynch movie did this well with Paul saying ’We have entered the time when all will turn against us and seek our lives.’. At that moment, dice has been thrown but it’s not set yet. They are in a truly dangerous position. Here it’s slightly reduced to a typical A to B here’s escape. But for example, the moment in the tent is done very well. This is really where Muad’Dib is born, where his vision take over completely and he even manages to terrify his mother.
Looks and sounds of the movie were absolutely delicious. It actually looks more expensive than it is. I’m hoping for part two so we get to see more locations, sietches, Geidi Prime, Kaitain and so on. Tech and vehicles/aircrafts were beautifully done, all very much ‘form follow function’, which makes it feel like a part of lived in world. Framing of the shots was relentlessly inspired. I was on the fence with the washed out, gray look of the desert - but it’s actually great because it reaffirms the oppressive and deadly nature of heat on Arrakis. This planet wants you dead. It feels like a scorching hell from first moment they set foot on it. Everyone lives practically underground. Arakeen is not a middle-eastern blend of narrow streets, flat roofs, bazaars and colours. It’s almost a dungeon like fortress, contained and dangerous outpost on the shittiest planet in the galaxy that is utilitarian and exists only to support extraction of melange. Just fucking great.
I could ramble for days about this, so much of it was perfect - the voice, Fremen, worms, Harkonen - just a lovely visualisation of the novel. Sure, corners were cut, many characters were underdeveloped - but the bulk of it was there and it flows well, looks incredible and sounds amazing.
Go and see it on the biggest screen you can find, no matter if you read the book, like sci-fi or whatever. It’s a visceral and unique experience, likes of which is seldom seen in theatres these days.
