The Dune series is as mysterious and unsettling as the shifting sands of a desert. Its cinematic adaptation by Denis Villeneuve is a tour de force of sci-fi, featuring a star-studded cast.

The film's title, which opens with a teaser, warns that it won't give you much closure. While it certainly has plenty of ideas, it also feels like a series just getting started.

After its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and New York Film Festival, the movie debuted on the HBO Max platform on October 21, 2021.

Due to its massive success, Warner Brothers has confirmed that Part Two will be released in 2023. This is good news for fans since Part One would've been an incomplete experience without the follow-up.

 

 

 

 

 

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Spice capitalism
The Harkonnen and Atreides families are at war over the planet Arrakis, the sole source of the spice. This substance is the fuel for space travel in the universe.

Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) is a prince who has a mysterious attraction to spice. He's got a lot going on, including his parents, Oscar Isaac's Duke Atreides and Rebecca Ferguson's Space Witch.

Paul is at the center of this massive space epic, which features an extensive cast of billions and a stunning visual style.

Imagery in 'Dune'
The film is heavily influenced by medieval imagery, with ominous space nuns descending from approaching spaceships, treaties being signed, and Berserker armies carrying out blood sacrifices. Hans Zimmer's score elevates the action as it moves from rain-slicked granite to iridescent sand.

The House Atreides' world is drenched in the rain and features a bullfighting theme. It also has a link to Spain, which references the country's conquistadors.

The link to ancient invaders is also a nod to the timelessness of the urge to enslave. The themes of greed and oppression have always resonated with the western world.

The conflict in 'Dune' is explicitly based on the style of a modern war movie, with aircraft passing through the camera like helicopters from the Vietnam era.

The film opens with an ominous scene that references the recent US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Economic sci-fi
It's fascinating to see a film that tackles both the political and economic aspects of sci-fi. The conflict is focused on wealth, and both the Harkonnens and Atreides families are ruled by the galactic economy.

There are so many ideas floating around in the film that many of them are only mentioned once, encouraging viewers to think about their own ideas. The film also features multiple voice-overs to explain all of the various concepts.

Sci-fi's strange and unsettling nature are also influenced by a limited palette of colors. Despite the film's impressive visual design, the overall tone of the universe is remarkably restrained.

 

 

 

 

 

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Muted acting
Like his previous work, Denis Villeneuve's latest features a one-note performance from Jason Momoa, who elevates his performance with an impressive range of emotions. The most dynamic range comes from the character played by Ferguson, who is both a scheming and passionate mother.

The main character is played by a young actor with a lot of soul and charisma. Chalamet doesn't have a great deal of speaking time, but his figures convey Paul's state of emotion quite well.

You'll love this film if you enjoy Blade Runner 2049 and Denis Villeneuve's previous work. Dune is for you if you love sci-fi with a dash of weirdness.