Dune [2021]
“The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience." - Dune, 1965
Imagine, if you will, a science fiction novel written by an amateur ecologist about the shifting sand dunes of the Oregon coast. Imagine that novel (shockingly) gets turned down by around 20 different publishing houses in the mid 60’s. Further, imagine that when it does get picked up by a publisher known for such thrilling titles as “Dry Goods Economist”, it somehow goes on to become one of the most influential and important science fiction epics ever written.
If you can hang with all that, you can imagine Dune, the 1965 Frank Herbert epic that shook the world with its political intrigue, social narrative, and thinly veiled anti-central government messages. While not an overnight success by any means, Dune was, is, and (thanks to the vision and intrepidness of Denis Villeneuve) will continue to be a must read (and watch) for every scifi fan across the ages.
2021’s Dune is the most hotly anticipated science fiction release since the reintroduction of Star Wars and Blade Runner into the theatrical circuit. Fortunately for fans of the series, 1984 isn’t something they’ll have to talk about any longer as Villeneuve has practically constructed a visual memorial to Herbert’s memory. While I do think that Dune 2021 struggles with the density and pacing of its source material during much of the political intrigue, it makes up for it by truly bringing to life what I believe to have been trapped inside Herbert’s head. Despite it’s mostly lackluster cinematography and tepid score, Dune is a visual masterpiece for much of the film.
Costume design, art direction, and visual effects rule the day throughout this experience; while mostly believable performances and solid choreography keep you intrigued otherwise. Dune would have gained a lot by being slower paced and denser (less Hollywood) and I hope that we will get a Midsommar type cut in the future with around 25 minutes of extra content to fill in some of the corners that the theatrical release has clearly rounded to save some time for less nuanced audiences. While not the strongest of Denis Villeneuve’s films, Dune surely does not disappoint, and he has done an incredible service to the adaptation world with his approach to this deeply beloved franchise.
“Fear is the mind killer,” as they say, and Villeneuve approached this bull of a story head on. I expect there’s a great cinematic future for Dune, and I’ll be getting fitted for my stillsuit just as soon as I’m able, because "the spice must flow" and I plan to be there for each and every grain along the way.
“Dreams make good stories, but everything important happens when we're awake.” - Dune, 2021
