Dune: just for Sci-fi lovers? – Amelia G
There has been a lot of buzz around the recent release of Dune 2 due to its incredible cast, visual effects and costume design that has caused an overwhelmingly positive critical and public response, as noted in Isabel’s article a couple of weeks ago. Having watched it in the cinema a few of weeks ago I completely understand the praise it has received with some of the most beautiful cinematography and incredible acting from the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Furguson, Zendaya and Austin Butler (although he still speaks with a slight hint of Elvis). Due to its basis on 6 main books and 18 additional spin-offs surrounding everything from sandworms to robots to political intrigue, I watched the first movie with very low expectations for my enjoyment of it but was pleasantly surprised.
I’m not typically a fan of Sci-fi or action movies, probably because my dad made me watch Star Wars when I was young (which I hated), so I was surprised to find myself invested in both the plot and the typical sci-fi elements like the sandworms and the slightly gross subhuman characters like Baron and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Stellan Skarsgård and Austin Butler portray these character with some of the best costumes of the movie: completely bald, pale and repulsive. This is emphasised by the black and white shots taken on their home planet that expose their lack of even eyebrows and eyelashes.
If you are struggling to decide whether to watch the movies or not, here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- plot – Dune 2 has some great plot twists
- cinematography – the desert scenes were filmed in the beautiful Liwa Oasis (Abu Dhabi) and Wadi Rum (Jordan) which is also known as ‘the Valley of the Moon’
- cast – full of memorable performances, especially by Léa Sedoux considering her brief screen time
- comedic relief – Stilgar (the best character)
- thought provoking – has an interesting focus on the concept of a messiah and on religious conflict, making it intriguing beyond its obviously sci-fi elements
Cons:
- length – both films are 5 hours 20 minutes combined
- it is still sci-fi – there is no denying the spaceships and giant sandworms that are pretty fundamental to the film and aren’t everyone’s thing
- boring? – the first movie has very little plot but a lot of new characters and concepts, making it a bit hard to follow
- commitment – a script is already being written for the final instalment of the trilogy and it is likely to be produced due to the success of the first two movies
If you do decide to watch, I would recommend watching the first movie with someone familiar with the plot or reading a summary first because the many characters, dynasties and planets etc. become a bit of a blur. That being said, the second movie is much easier to follow, which I think made it more enjoyable to watch than the first. I definitely think both movies, but especially Dune 2, are worth watching because even if you are not interested in Sci-fi normally the film has some interesting concepts and and plot points that have a broader appeal. The beauty of the cinematography is undeniable and the acting is very memorable, meaning that it will likely be one of the biggest trilogies made. I don’t personally think it will rival the likes of ‘The Godfather’ or ‘The Lord of the Rings’ which are both near-perfect, but its success so far has been undeniable and will only grow from here.
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