“Dune” Uncovers a Can of Worms

Release Date：Oct/22/2021

Genre：Adventure/Drama/Sci-Fi

Director：Denis Villeneuve

Cast：Timothée Chalamet、Oscar Isaac、Zendaya、Rebecca Ferguson、Josh Brolin、Dave Bautista

Viola's Rating: 8.2

David Lynch’s “Dune” in 1984 was a bummer. Not only was the audience disappointed by it, but also critics gave it negative reviews. 37 years later, Oscar nominated director Denis Villeneue’s remake of the same name was critically acclaimed, and is planned to be released in the U.S. on Oct. 22, 2021.

Based on the bible of science-fiction novel, Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name, this dramatic, adventurous sci-fi is about Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the son of a noble family, House Atreides, who is entrusted with the protection of the most precious asset and most vital element in the galaxy, the spice.

As a diehard aficionado of the novel, Villeneue successfully brought the world Herbert created to the big screen. Since most scenes are in the desert, the environment in “Dune” isn’t lively and vibrant. Therefore, instead of animals and plants, “Dune” is filled with “bugs”. Weapons, transportations are designed in the form of insects, not to mention the celebrated sandworm. The audience would be stunned by how the visual effects were done.

Director Villeneue’s previous feature film “Arrival” depicts the beauty and importance of language, and once again, there are different languages used in “Dune”, and the Voice is no exception. The Voice is the most admirable bodily accomplishment of the Bene Gesserit, a key political, religious, social force, with which can take blanket control over the receiver, giving moviegoers an unprecedented aural experience.

“Dune” touches upon different topics like loyalty and religion. Since the story is about the competition and conflicts between Houses, betrayals, fights and wars are inevitable, and although the plot isn’t unpredictable, the emotions of the characters are beautiful to watch. As for religion, the flick challenges the traditional monotheism, but at the same, tries to bring out the real hero for Dune universe.

Even though the background set for “Dune” is in the far future, the visual design is similar to a post-apocalypse era. The ambience of the Houses, the golden-brown sand, lightings, shadows, steel grey buildings and the texture all remind the audience of director Villeneue’s another motion picture “Blade Runner 2049” and the Oscar winning movie “Mad Max: Fury Road”.

Aside from the artistic visual effects, the picture score is attractive. Produced by Oscar winning Hans Zimmer, the music containing chanting, humming, flowing sand and blowing wind takes moviegoers to the desert to listen for themselves.

Indeed, “Dune” isn’t easy to understand, and it sure uncovers a can of worms, but even if you haven’t read the novel, you still can enjoy one of the best works this year, so better get ready to enter the universe, either in the book or the cinema.

Picture Credit: IMDb