Dune: Part One - Review

“Fear is the mind-killer” – A review of Dune: Part One. 

I adore science fiction, and it’s difficult for anything out there to come close to Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune. When Dune: Part One was released in 2021, I was excited but nervous – would it live up to the incredible novel? Dune is such a complicated and ambitious story, and the film would cover half of the novel – would it do so well?

Thankfully, it absolutely did.

The plot follows Paul Atreides, played by Timothee Chalamet, as he and his family is pulled into a deadly conflict for control of a desert planet named Arrakis, the only place it’s possible to find spice, a drug which can prolong life and is absolutely vital for intergalactic space travel.

The film does an incredible job at telling the story. Herbert’s novel is dense and philosophical, and the film really condenses and clarifies it. Whilst it’s fair to say some of the deeper themes from the book are missing from the film, the adaption is accessible to newcomers but offers enough detail to keep long term fans happy.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, it’s clear from the opening scene that this is a film that is meant to be experienced on the big screen. The cinematography is truly outstanding, from the stunning deserts of Arrakis to the imposing cities. The score is brilliant too, unsurprisingly as it’s by Hans Zimmer, as it combines electronic sounds with truly haunting choral elements. The music really enhances the film, adding a greater sense of scale and emotional intensity.

This is a long film, coming in at over two and a half hours, and I must admit it occasionally feels a little slow. However, the pacing is deliberate, and it allows for incredible world building and character development, something that wouldn’t have been possible in a faster moving, shorter film.

I truly loved this film. As a huge fan of the book, I found it to be thoughtful, respectful of the source material and visually absolutely breathtaking. I’m often sceptical when book adaptions are released as films in multiple parts, as the cynic in me assumes it’s a cash grab, but that really isn’t the case here; breaking it up allows the film to truly explore the novel and bring the incredible world to life. If you enjoy epic storytelling, this is for you. This is a film which truly lives up to the hype.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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