Having been traumatised by the old Dune movie with Sting, lots of 80s mullets and the spit, I didn't want to go anywhere near the new movie. Plus I haven't read the books. But having listened to some reviews and making of's, and having a day off, I gave in and went. So glad I did!
I feel something of what the audience watching the original Star Wars must have felt in the cinema. This is a proper epic, big screen movie - so much thought has gone into creating these worlds - the looks, the costumes, the transport, the characters, all of it. I loved the dragonfly helicopters - such movement, even shadows. The sand worms! The cute big eared desert mouse things!
I haven't read the books - so hard to say what is really going on or who is who, but.... So wonderful to see Rebecca Fergusson in a leading role - she brings real subtly to the character of Jessica, the concubine of Duke Leto; she is part nun, part street fighter and part mystic. They have 'powers' - there is an inner voice to be channelled. There is spice - sandy glitter which is bringing ecological destruction and exploitation to the planet it exists on; but it also enables prophetic dreams and safe space travel. There is an evil empire - led by a naked fat man - everyone is bald in this bad empire. In the book his 'pet' was a troop of small boys; I guess for film rating here and general ethics, the pet has become a spider like thing with human hands. So far, part Lord of the Rings, part Star Wars and very Roman Empire - reminding me of the horrid Roman Emperor who had a summer villa where he'd go swimming with the minnows (i.e. small boys). The Emperor is grim but also has bad times a-coming for the family - he sends them to the spice planet to manage it for them, making sure that they can't.
On the spice planet, there is adventure, worms and a local people looking for a Messiah who deeply resent being exploited and colonised, and are fighting back. Paul starts having more and more vivid dreams, but we're not sure if they're the future or not, as sometimes they contradict each other. So a bit Gladiator in the corn fields (sand dunes) here.
Paul's research pays off when he is foils an assassination attempt; then his father is murdered and he and his mother have to walk a certain way to avoid attracting the attention of the worms. I'm not sure why but there is a fight for no reason at all and Paul kills a local man - no-one expects this; very Princess Bride 'prepare to die'. Only he doesn't and really Jessica could fight for herself, having already overpowered their leader.
Somehow, despite a last minute poisoning fightback from Paul's dad, the evil Emperor has survived, and is more evil. Also unexplained creepy moment, he has Paul's dad naked at his dinner table - why? (Apart from it's stated in the books that the Emperor really likes naked men, well just men really). The flashbacks and flashforwards are quire disorientating and like Paul, we're never sure who we can trust or what the true outcome will be.
My confusion over people and plot aside - this movie looks sumptuous. From sound to shoes, it is beautifully rendered and realised. The score too does a lot of the voiceover. The amazing throat singing communication is quite something, as is using 'the voice' during an escape bid. The conflicted mother-son relationship is portrayed well, in a spiritual world where only women are of value. And who would not want to be warrior Zendaya in the desert. There is also the wonderful appearance of Jason Mamoa's protection chivalrous knight who sacrifices himself to save the family (a bit Thor - but it is Aquaman!)
Wonderful casting, plus everyone given their moment to really act, and the sets and props never over dominate the narrative as in some sci-fi movies. The story is strong, but so is the force/spice/voice?!!! Not sure how it will all go, but can't wait for Part Two! Only problematic issue is all the spitting - COVID me cringing as spitting is a way of generating water and a cultural valuable in Dune world. Arghhh.
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