Dune was a film that came out in late October 2021. It was directed by Denis Villeneuve, known for his movies Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, and Prisoners. This film stars many A-list celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and Stellan Skarsgård. Dune has been one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2021.  

The story starts with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a clever and gifted young man born into a massive destiny beyond his comprehension, who must journey to the universe’s most deadly planet to save his family and people. Only those who can overcome their fear will live as sinister powers clash over the planet’s only supply of the most valuable substance in existence.

The enormous and large-scale soundtrack immerses you in this apocalyptic world of giant worms and intricate structures. It draws you in, but also still leaves you feeling like something bad is about to happen. The underlying plot is the only aspect of this picture that falls short. It is more concerned with the aesthetics, subtext, and worldbuilding than with the characters, drama, and storyline. 

Before beginning the storyline, the filmmaker takes the time to build the location, explain the world, and get the characters in their element. This time allows for the audience to learn what they need to know, comprehend the challenges at hand and the many connections, and what is going on in the characters’ heads. 

Throughout the first arc, the film generates a subtle suspense that leads to the mid-film climax. After that, the pace does not slow down. The action is present and well-paced without being ubiquitous, and the viewer is not suffocated by prolonged periods without feeling. Everyone will be able to comprehend the film. The finale fits with the story conveyed in the first part and offers a sense of completion of a mission while also emphasizing to the viewer that nothing is completed yet.

Overall I would rate this movie a 7/10. Although the movie is beautiful, I thought they should have focused on the plot of the movie a little more than they did. It’s uncommon to blend and sustain solid visual, audio, and storytelling. It’s also challenging to create a book adaptation that appeals to both readers and non-readers. The remainder can be a mystery for now, but it will become more apparent after part two comes out.