DUNE (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Dune—read a plotline before going—works at an exceptionally high level of complication and sophistication. This is an intellectual watch that may be completely appreciated by a limited audience with specialized knowledge. It is not as interesting, nor as good as the original movie, but the film does elaborate on Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s character and about his position in moving the story forward. While the cast is star-studded, it surprisingly, at times, needs more realistic acting and consistency in acting skills. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family has become powerful due to its control of ‘spice’. A ruler decides that a new family needs to control the ‘spice.’ 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth for making the film possible. Cast includes: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is interesting to see the differences between the original Dune and this story (which has been completely rewritten with bits of the original story sprinkled in at curtain junctures). There is little to recommend this movie to a general audience other than to see new actors coming into their professional maturity and to view some very good special effects, makeup artists' terrific abilities, and some fantastic architectural structures. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers