Film Review: Dune (part 1)

 Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Cert: 12A

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Screenwriter:  (screenplay by) Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth, (based on the novel Dune written by) Frank Herbert

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Chen Chang, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Babs Olusanmokun, Benjamin Clémentine, Souad Faress, Golda Rosheuvel

Running time: 2h 35min

Parents advised reading before viewing the film as some scenes may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: No sex or suggestive nudity

A character has a dream where two teenage characters kiss for an extended period of time, but he is awakened before it goes any further.

Timothée's character is seen shirtless various times.

A man who's been drugged is also naked and sitting in a chair. We see the entirety of his bare side, but nothing critical.

Violence & Gore: Characters are shot and stabbed with swords, blades, and sci-fi weapons.

A hand is shown burnt to blackened coal. A large pile of blackened bodies is shown burning.

The characters fight almost exclusively using close combat knives and swords, so there are several fight scenes including stabbing and cutting throats (never shown up close but at a wide angle)

A character is impaled by a dart.

Not much blood but injury detail is seen including a bloody hand and knife

Characters are swallowed by a massive frightening sandworm.

Profanity: A character refers to other people as "animals", another calls themselves a "freak".

Infrequent uses of "crap"

2 uses of 'hell', 1 use of 'ass', and 1 use of 'shit'

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: The main substance of the film, spice, is alluded to as a drug that enables humans to see the future.

Frightening/Intense Scenes: Harkonnen's appearance in the film can be frightening and disturbing.

There are several intense battle scenes

We see a mostly silhouetted creature that looks like it's composed of various human parts, and crawls around on several human arms. We don't see it very well but it is disturbing.

Characters mock a nude disfigured person.

Story: A mythic and emotionally charged hero's journey, "Dune" tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive

Likes: "FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER" mortal words from a Cult classic, which was loosely based on the book of Frank Herbert's "Dune" with the original cast of all-star, starring Kyle MacLachlan, along with famous singer Sting with a story about a young man destiny goes beyond he royal lineage to fight against an evil Baron leading to peace in the universe.

This reboot is basically the same story but based on the book which gives a masterpiece of cinema history not only in its casting, acting but its visual effects were Absolute top-notch. While it is only part one of the stories, the main story altogether is around 4 hours long, which is why they have split the film into two films. 

It's a film that is clearly explained by its own story and doesn't pander to the audience having to tell them everything that going on making it the easiest film to follow if you haven't watched the original film, or read the books. This review is based on the fact I've seen the original in the 80s, and while this film is only part one, this masterpiece blows me away on how beautifully written and well directed this film truly is especial with its visual effects and the way they actually got this story down to a tee.

The acting from Oscar Isaac (Duke Leto Atreides), Rebecca Ferguson ( Lady Jessica Atreides)Timothée Chalamet (Paul Atreides) Is some of the best actings I've seen playing those roles they've undertaken, especially  Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck) who gave an outstanding performance, as well as Jason Momoa Duncan Idaho who was an absolute badass in this film, which I hope to see him in part 2.
Even Dave Bautista  Beast Rabban Harkonnen was perfect casting for him, as well as an outstanding performance by Stellan Skarsgård who plays the ruthless evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.

While there are other actors/actresses in this film some have yet to show how good they are in the film, as it only part one, they are given less screen time, which they will be given more in part two, especially with Zendaya I would have thought she would have been in the film more but I can understand why they have less seen, especial if you know where part 2 is going to end. 

While most would say the score for this film is a little off for Hans Zimmer, but I actually liked it in parts giving a military feel as well as dramatic scenes, so as a whole everything is perfect in the score for the film. 

This is a film I can truly say don't miss out on because it is a true masterpiece of cinema history that i recommend watching.

Dislikes: Some scenes were a little dark, but these a minor nitpick  

Overall: A masterpiece of cinema history, outstanding performance from all the cast. can wait for part 2 

Rating: 5 out of 5 for Entertainment / 10 out of 10 for Adaptation