Reviews

...(even the 1984 version's extended fan cut), and think of myself as a big "Dune" fan, I was both very eager and a little weary going in to see Villeneuve's take on Herbert's Sci-Fi masterpiece. Mostly because of his treatment of the "Blade Runner" sequel. And after seeing it, I think this movie made me feel exactly the same as BR2049. The visuals are breathtaking. The acting and casting is good. No matter what some people say, I wasn't bored even for a minute. Seeing the ornithopters fly exactly as it was described in the book, and recognizing their look (borrowed) from the old "Dune" PC game, made me smile every time they were on screen. Don't get me wrong, I can't say I haven't enjoyed the movie...However, it seems like Villeneuve missed some important part again. Unlike in BR2049, in Dune, I think I can put my finger exactly on what it was that bothered me the most. It is the fact that most of the side characters' roles and their importance within the Dune universe were not properly explained, not given enough screen time or were just completely skipped over. It's almost like Villeneuve made this film just for people who are already familiar with the Dune universe, already know what a Mentat is, or why Dr. Yueh's betrayal was such a big surprise (believed to be a physically impossible act because of his imperial conditioning). It never even mentions the word "Mentat", Piter de Vries' name, what the human computers are actually used for, or the meaning behind the diamond shaped tattoo on Dr. Yueh's forehead. We never even saw the Emperor or Irulan for Shai-Hulud's sake! Did he just presume everyone going to see the film will know these characters or what? Also from the film I could only conclude that the feud between the Harkonnens and the Atreides started when the rule over Arrakis was handed over. I don't remember that centuries of mutual hatred was mentioned, or how fragile the peace between these two houses actually was. I also think that the effects of "the spice" on humans, the Guild navigators (their role and importance in the universe), the CHOAM company and many other crucial details that make "Dune" such a rich and imaginative masterpiece of science fiction are never mentioned, or were just briefly glanced over in the film.

This kinda made me not connect to some characters or care for others as much as I think I should have. But, again I am someone who can probably name every change and omission in the film, compared to the books, so maybe I am not the best person to review this film. I just wanted to explain why I gave it such a score, and why I felt the screenplay was not as good as I expected it to be. Remember, David Lynch had nothing but the books and that failed Jodorowsky project to use for his adaptation. Villeneuve had many years of fan input about what they did or didn't like in previous adaptations of the source material. Maybe "Dune" will never be adapted to the screen as well as the fans would like it to be? Maybe a perfect adaptation really is an impossible task for such a complex novel? But, fans have been saying that for the LOTR books, until Peter Jackson proved them wrong. If there will be a second part, I will definitely go and see it. But if it's screenplay is not improved, I will probably give it the same score. I can only hope it will be.