Dune part one 2021

Dune 2021 Denis Villeneuve

The thing about the IMAX is it’s big, it’s big. And the chairs are small. It’s tiny. But this is why a screening of Dune would be almost acolyte-exclusive. It was at 11 on a Sunday. Public transport, on a Sunday, to be in Waterloo from the lands by 11… is a bold statement.

But that is the draw of House Atredies. I came song at the generosity of friends. They had seen the film before; everyone in the team had seen the movie before. I had seen David Lynch’s films, but not this. The Imax host asked who had not seen part one before. A few others and I made up a quarter of the audience. As I type this, the film is on behind me, on Netflix, to help me think about the movie. That’s a strong following.

One I simply don’t get. 

Not having read Frank Herbert’s Book, this is an IMAX film in visuals, certainly a big screen and big speaker time. It is relatively brisque for its run time. It manages to be pretentious without pretentious, and to be ominous without being belaboured is a confidence in pacing that should be saluted in Thai day and age of quick cuts and snappy quips. 

The economics of dune and the houses make sense, quickly and subtly; the attempts at war and civil unrest work well and with a flourish. 

But by peeling back on the dialogue and letting the characters stand through action, it’s hard to avoid the cliche of its inception. It’s the saviour role of a to-be blue-eyed outsider who seems respectful of the planet’s ways while, at the same time, very swiftly and keenly ready to show them better.

There is some attempt to muddy the waters, and the hint that Paul is a weapon as much as a person, built-in skills by his mother with a sisterhood, together with the machismo, makes me wonder why those who want to restore the snyderverse don’t just turn up to this. The sheer daunting machismo and roles, complete and replete with Hans Zimmer in the background, feels like the crowds will roar, and all it takes is Josh Borlin leering at the screen before Liam needs his skill set to shout, “Are you entertained?” for everything to work for you. Jason Mamoa, I think, wins the award for what the hell was the point of him right down to the end of the film.

But still. And this is why I go to the cinema when I write reviews. This was a room that came again. Rich, who was sitting next to me, asked what I thought. He probably saw the times I had to stop myself laughing out loud when a giant anus was on the screen. I have to say. 

From the faithful, it is DUNE.

I would be interested in part two. The plan with the group was to all do it again. But on reflection. With knees almost popping out, legs sticking in the stairs, and one toilet available that was supposed to be for disabled people. I’ll go for a matinee. 

But it is DUNE—part one. So there is….hope.